Soon to be Boerboel owner. Help!

[Geoff]

I'm going to be getting a BB puppy here in August. I see everybody talks a lot about socialization and training classes. What else do I need to know about BBs? Are there better training methods than others? Any good books on training? Does anyone ever deal with Kwanza Boerboels??? I just want to make sure my BB is properly trained and socialized.

Any suggestions would be great!!

Geoff

[Lee May]

Hey Geoff, Welcome and great questions you have. I like to say start with your lifestyle, Know what type of dog you want, esp. (couch potato, high drive, dominate, passive) if you have other dogs in the mix, cute dominate puppies quickly grow into I run this pack mentality. So be fare in all your interactions and make use you don't show puppy favoritism. BB's tend to be very smart and are always watching and learning how to milk ya. Tell your breeder what you want in a pup including personality, not temperment as this can be a loaded word, for it means different things to different people as to what is a good temperment. Training I would look now for a good training school, for you learn so much more with hands on training rather then Videos, or books. They do help to see where you like to fit in in your training. But learning to read your dog hands on is far more important. Worth every penny. Good luck and Peace Lee

[Geoff]

My first pup is going to be a female. I plan on getting a male here more towards winter. I want my female to be the one everyone meets loving and friendly pet. Now the male I  want as a work dog to gaurd the house. There are about 5 training schools around me I'm not sure on how Im going to pick one? How much is enough exercise for a pup? How many weeks old do you recommend i start taking her to training school?

Thank you Lee

Geoff

[Lee May]

Hey Goeff, Well you want to socialize her plenty from day one. as a pup if your getting her at 8weeks or so, no ruff play on slippery floors (tile, wood ect.) ruff or running play should be on rugs or outside till 5 months or so. I'm not saying keep them off these floors just normal walking no jumping due to hip muscles not being strong enough to protect hips till around that time. As for trainers, check them all out, see their style, see how into dogs they really are, where you fit in, how fare, with training. (correction methods). Do they answer all your questions and make sure you understand what your doing.

 Training can start day one at home with sit stay down etc. class not until all shots are done around 4 months. 

[Geoff]

How do you reward your dogs? Treats or just praise? Do you have any pups for sale

[Lee May]

Hi I use praise, balls, toys, not treats. Everyone has their way lol and depending on if you go into sport or comp. If you do decide to use treats in training it's a good thing but I would wean them to toy and praise at some point. I should have some pups this fall/ winter.

[Marco]

Hello Geoff congrats on getting a boerboel soon!  I have not delt with Kwanza Boerboels so I don't know anything about them.  Maybe someone here has, and can share some thoughts with you.  If you get a chance I recommend checking out our New Boerboel Owners group.  There you will find some information that may be helpful.  We also have a training page setup with helpful links that deal with training that can be found here.  Lee has given you some great info, and has been very helpful to many here.  I will repost the links below, and I wish you all the best.  Keep us updated please, and i hope you enjoy the site!

 

New Boerboel Owner's Group

Training Info Page