The Rhodesian Ridgeback, or African Lion Dog, although it was bred to hunt lions and is known for its courage, also has its sensitive side and needs to be handled with care. Rough handling and harsh training techniques will not work with this breed.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks, or any breed, respond well to rewards. If you take your Rhodesian ridgeback to a pet supply store like Petco or Petsmart, which allow dogs to shop there, you can test what kind of treats they will like. Hold a package of treats in your dog’s muzzle and when he or she wags his tail, you know you have a treat that will work.
The best time of day to train your Rhodesian Ridgeback is before their usual dinner time. Wear a small goody bag around your waist.
Gently push down on your dog’s hindquarters while saying, “Sit down.” When the sitting position is achieved, give him a treat. Repeat this until your dog learns to associate the command with the action. Then give the order and wait for the action before giving the reward. If your Rhodesian Ridgeback sees the treat and jumps, don’t give the treat. Must be seated at the time the treat is given. If your dog runs to the door and startles guests when the doorbell rings, the “sit” command will prevent him from running to the door. It’s also good at the vet’s office or anywhere you want your Rhodesian Ridgeback to stay calm and not get involved with other pets or people.
Walking on a leash is another good skill to teach your Rhodesian Ridgeback. Wear a comfortable fabric collar. You should be able to insert two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck to make sure it is not too tight. The leash must be 6 feet long. Say “Come on” and walk forward, holding the end of the leash. If your dog tries to pull in the opposite direction or pull on the leash, stop and go the other direction, so he learns that the walk will only start with proper behavior.
The “leave it” command is good for any dog to learn, but especially a large one. Hold a treat in front of you while saying “Drop it.” Remove the treat and replace it with another with the other hand. After this is repeated several times, your Rhodesian Ridgeback will learn that good things come from obeying this command.
Besides dog training, another way to bond with your Rhodesian Ridgeback is through play. Just as humans bond together by having fun together, dogs like to play. Get a ball that is small enough for your dog to pick up easily, but too large to swallow. Show the ball to your dog and act with enthusiasm. Throw the ball and say “Bring” or “Ball.” This will excite your Rhodesian Ridgeback’s natural desire to chase things. You will want to bring it back as part of a fun game. Running together is also a good way to bond. If you are running through city streets, run at a time of day when the streets are not too hot for your dog’s feet. Be sure to wear a leash even in the field, so your Rhodesian Ridgeback doesn’t take off behind rabbits and squirrels.
Many people like to talk to their dogs as a way to bond, and this can also cause unconscious training to occur. Dogs can learn to understand many words by constantly listening to them paired with certain situations. If, for example, you always say “Let’s go in” when you enter the house, the dog will learn to approach the door when it hears that phrase. Of course, this is not always good. If your dog learns to associate the word “vet” with getting needles, you may need to avoid saying it. Have fun joining your Rhodesian ridgeback.