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Date Posted:Tuesday, October 23, 11:43:43pm
Hiy!
Im hoping that someone will be able to help me out here. I've just inherited a 2yo male ridgeback and 4yo female staffy (both desexed) from a friend of mine and while both beautiful dogs in their own way im starting to have problems with the ridgeback.
I've never owned one of these dogs before and am at a total loss at how to solve his obedience issues.
Basicly im looking for tips and the best ways of teaching him obedience.
I don't want to get into a power struggle with this dog physically becauses hes going to win hands down every time.
Both of them showed dominent behaviour when they first came to me and through various techniques the staffy has realised that i am the boss now although its still very much a work in progress - the ridgeback however is completely unaffected by the same techniques.
It actually seems as if hes after getting slightly worse.
He probably hasnt recieved as much obedience training and socialisation with other people as he should of when he was a puppy either.
He tends to be shy and skittish around strangers and new dogs. Without his "pack" ( the staffy ) to back him up hes very fearful. His social ettiqitte is non existant although hes slowly beginning to realise that its the done thing to let other dogs sniff you when out and not to go charging up to them front on.
Im dont know whether to start right back at the beginning and go through all the basics again or if theres just some way to reinforce what he does already know.
He will sit but only when you have something he wants ie toy, food, leash.
And even at that he doesnt stay in the same place very long because he gets excited so easily.
At times it seems like he doesnt reconise his own name, hes used to taking his cues from the staffy and now that shes taking cues from me its like hes a bit lost.
He rarely comes when called when he is around the staffy and is marginally better when hes on his own.
Ive tried giving him one on one lessons but he gets distracted easily and frets that he's on his own.
Walking him is a nightmare - ive tried various collars and although choker leashes do seem to keep him in check easier because hes such a tall dog and im so short its not the easiest of jobs. He still tries to walks in front and will still pull on the leash when he can get away with it. He does tend to settle down after the first half hour or so but ideally id like for him to be able to walk off leash beside me with the other dogs.
I really would be so very grateful for any advise anyone can give me or even some good books or something.
From what ive read they are an amazing breed and i do want to give him a happy balanced life.
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