Most Effective Training Methods for Boerboels

[Jennifer]

What method of training is the best for a Boerboel?  In two weeks my Boerboel will be attending a  basic obedience group class in hopes that in the end he will test into their intermediate class.  The method of training that hey use is "compulsive training".

http://k9-trainer.com/infopages/Compulsive.html

 

Due to the fact that I am not a huge fan of only treat training a dog, after researching this type of training I would think that it would be perfect for a Boerboel, but would also appreciate opinions of what else I should maybe look for. 

 

I have also seen several post on here of new owners mentioning that they will be enrolling their dogs into a "Petsmart" training class.  Although I am new to the Boerboel world I would still advise against enrolling a dog (especially a Boerboel) in such a class (for the one that I attended several years ago seemed to be more of a social playtime than training).

 

 

[Norman Epstein]

I am not a fan of compulsion to teach and this is especially true for a Boerboel because they (mastiffs) are more handler sensitive than a herder. If you use compulsion to *teach* this breed most will shut down and the younger they are the quicker they will shut down. I have trained a Boerboel for advanced obedience and began with no leash using only food and then moved on to a toy. It worked for this breed and it worked for the 4 GSD's I trained to schutzhund degrees. If you want to see some of this training go to YouTube and put in the search block normandavidepstein and I agree with you regarding Petsmart.  Good luck.

[Marco]

As far as Petsmart it all depends on the trainer.  Not every Petsmart trainer is bad.  I've been in some stores that I would never recommend, and then I have seen others that I would.  It seems Petsmart as a company does not have a certain way of training.  They look for trainers, and you get whatever type of trainer they hire.  A puppy socialization class is not necessarily a bad thing as long as theres balance with training.  Im not saying take your pup to Petsmart but I don't know what your options are.  Most importantly your boerboel pup should have some sort of training, and socialization.  It also depend on what your training your pup for, family pet or working dog.   Ultimately I think the best way to train a pup is to do it yourself.  In doing that however you need to be prepared, and do your research.  There are plenty of great books, and videos that will help guide you.  One of my favorite websites is Leerburg.com which has lots to offer.  Just my thoughts, thanks for the reply Norman.

 

Philosophy of dog training

Great Video of two young pups being worked!

Staying engaged with your puppy

[Marco]

Another great article on The Theory of Corrections in Dog Training  This is easier to read here.  Not sure if one is updated more than the other.

[Sweet Pea]

Jennifer, if your seriously considering this class, I'd check it out before you pay money and join. I don't believe in compulsion training, especially for puppies.  The fallout of compulsion training can ruin a dog whereas the fallout of more positive won't have those detrimental effects. Before you start this method you should extensively research the pros and cons. I checked out the trainer's site and he seems to not have a good grasp on positive reinforcement based on his comments. When properly used with positive reinforcement, treats are phased out once the dog consistently preforms the specific behavior. Things should be kept lighthearted, fair and fun for a puppy. You want them to trust you and to see you as their benevolent leader.

I don't know if your familiar with Norman who replied earlier, but he is very knowledgeable and his experience extensive. I would definitely check out his videos on Youtube. Marco also mentioned some good links from Leerburg. I personally like the Michael Ellis DVDs they sell through there.  

[Marco]

Thanks for your reply, and input given Kimberly!  Yes Norman has some great videos, and lots of great helpful information to share.  Great trainer from what I have seen, and heard.

[Norman Epstein]

Thanks for all of your kind words but for the record great dog make very good handlers. If you want to see my videos some of which are narrated go to YouTube and in the search block put in normandavidepstein Good luck and good training and if you need my advice please ask as every dog is different and requires different types of training, otherwise there would only be one training video (g).

[Jennifer]

Thank you for all of the words of advice.  I would of replied sooner but my internet at home is currently not working, therefore I am sneaking very quickly while I am here at work. I promise I will look at the videos Norman as soon as my internet router arrives, I do not think my boss will take to kindly to me wathching them here :)

 

I observed the first class held last week and attend to observe the second as well tomorrow. I saw that that at least in this "begginers course" praise is used often so that the dog learns the commands he is expected to do.  So far the only method of reprimanding a dog that I have seen is a strong meaningful "No".  Also he did ask his students that hot dogs be brought to the next class, therefore he must use them as reiforcement.

As for the collar type, he said it was the users choice.  I am not against other collars, but because Shango is only three months old, the collar that we have used with him so far is just your average nylon collar and it is working just fine in our home training and taking him out.  So we will have to see how it goes.  We have been working with treats and the "No" at home and Shango has learned the sit, down, (more of a begginers heel) and the sit in place after heeling.  I am fortunate enough to have a very large fenced in yard, which I use to my advantage for the off leash training. I can really tell Shango enjoys doing it as well!

[Norman Epstein]

Your job as a trainer is not teaching perfection but promoting the young pups enjoyment for that training. Perfection comes later, much later. If your pup/dog doesn't look forward to that training, stop what you are doing because by continuing that method will slow if not stop any of their future learning. This is especially true for a mastiff but is also relevant for any dog.

[Valeria S]

I have a 16 mos old bb male. He was raised in a farm, but never had close contact with the sheep instead of running after them when he was 6-7mos in the paddock. 

Few days ago he was led to the paddock with the sheep by accident, and started to run after them as he used to do when he was younger, but instead this time, after few munites of running, he attacked one with the signs of aggression, and actually would have killed the sheep if wasnt taken away. He actually bit the sheep to the throat and have "tasted' the blood. 

The least i want to have is an agressive dog towards farm animals. I should admit that general obedience is not to the top level, but the urgency of the question is how do i "explain" him not to attack the sheep?

On the lead with the stopping commands, it is possible to calm him down, but i m sure that as soon as i let him go of the lead he would run after them and try to catch them without listening to any of the commands.

 

Thank you all in advance for your attention.

 

Kind regards

 

 

[bel ballard]

...not knowledgable, but I did see one Ceasar Milan/The  Dog Whisperer  epidode where a rescue dog was chasing sheep and closed on one of them.  It looked to me like he did it with an experinced sheep trainer in a small encloisure.  The man ( and later Ceasar) flollowed fairly closely or at least tried to own this space.  He was praised for herding, and  then run off (with perhaps a long tool,I can't remember) and a firm disapproval sound when he attacked.   It looked to take energy and repititions.

 

I trained that Afghan to be a chicken guard, but I cheated.  i put up a low current horse fence (with a safety breaker), set the dog on one side and the chicken on the other..then I let go. This shock was enough, and with just a bit of encouragement afterwards, i soon had a dog who not only co-existed with the chickens but would run off the hawks, barking and junping into the air. a  very helpful  aid to keeping more chickens.

 

I have a 16 mos old bb male. He was raised in a farm, but never had close contact with the sheep instead of running after them when he was 6-7mos in the paddock. 

Few days ago he was led to the paddock with the sheep by accident, and started to run after them as he used to do when he was younger, but instead this time, after few munites of running, he attacked one with the signs of aggression, and actually would have killed the sheep if wasnt taken away. He actually bit the sheep to the throat and have "tasted' the blood. 

The least i want to have is an agressive dog towards farm animals. I should admit that general obedience is not to the top level, but the urgency of the question is how do i "explain" him not to attack the sheep?

On the lead with the stopping commands, it is possible to calm him down, but i m sure that as soon as i let him go of the lead he would run after them and try to catch them without listening to any of the commands.

 

Thank you all in advance for your attention.

 

Kind regards

 

 

[Norman Epstein]

Mr. Jones wrote in part:

A boerboel already knows when and how to attack so bite training can hamper the dog unless you teach the dog togo for certain areas of the body... like the neck, leg or body... never teach them togo for the arm as the intuder can kill the dog..

All Boerboels know how to attack? What have you been smoking, that said I will pass along your above suggestion regarding never training a dog that will ultimately dog man work on a sleeve or other visible training aids. I’m sure the trainers at Lackland Air Force base and the trainers at Oketz the training arm for the Israeli K-9 division will after reflecting on your above will want to change how they teach bite work for their respective organizations. Please click on the following Training Link to see how our forces train bite work which is exactly opposite of how Mr. Jones teaches it. For those of you who are not familiar with Lackland it is the DoD (Department of Defense) Military Working Dog school and is located at Lackland AFB, Tx. Their mission is “to train handlers and dogs for war and for use in the maintenance of peace”. Lackland trains 525 students annually. Additionally they train over 300 working dogs for all of the Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  As you can see from the video the use of sleeves is common place and these dogs will be used for serious work. Another example is Israeli Special Forces – Oketz here is a video of their training Training Link  showing this and an actual  K-9 deployment. Again the use of visible equipment is used in their training. I think most would agree that these dogs are used for serious work i.e., stopping terrorist, which use may not be as serious as the end result for Mr.Jones'a training, but probably serious enough for the other 99999.99%.  

[Aescleah]

o no not on this site we don't 

 

Ashley