How to Train a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: 10 Expert Tips
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Bringing a new dog into your home is a great time in your life. You get the best of puppy love and get to plan great adventures for years to come. However, training is a part of owning a dog too. Whether you’re a pro at training or are tackling it for the first time, training a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a bit different. This dog breed is highly energetic and made for hunting. This means not only are they intelligent and quick to pick up on training, but they are also full of energy. Use this step-by-step guide for how to train a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon to help you be successful when you bring your Griff home.
The 10 Tips on How to Train a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
1. Start Training Young
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, or Griff as they are often referred to, is considered an easy dog breed to train. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start training early like with other dog breeds. You want your Griff to understand expectations at an early age. This is especially helpful when housebreaking your pup and teaching basic commands. If you happen to adopt a Griff that is older and hasn’t been trained, don’t think it’s too late. These dogs are extremely intelligent and love to please their owners. They prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Start simple, like you would with a puppy, and work your way up from there.
2. A Crate Can Help
If you’re training a Griff pup, a crate can be your best friend. It’s almost impossible to always have your eye on your dog. This leaves them able to access the house, use the bathroom where they want, and even get into mischief. During training, you should always have your eyes on your pup. When you have something to do, a crate can help immensely. If you leave home, need to shower, or are cooking dinner and can’t have eyes on your Griff, simply place them inside the crate.
Dogs aren’t fans of using the bathroom in places where they sleep or eat. A crate can also keep your Griff from jumping on people or chewing things around the house when you can’t closely monitor them. Make sure, however, that you choose a crate that is large enough for your dog.
3. Create a Routine for Your Griff
One of the most important aspects of training is to create a schedule and stick to it. If you’re working on housebreaking, you’ll want to take your pup out often. They’ll also need to go out after they wake in the morning or from naps throughout the day. You’ll also need to take the pup out after water breaks and feedings, then again before bed. Often, it’s best to follow a 2-hour schedule between potty breaks for your dog and add a little more time between breaks for each month they age.
Schedules aren’t only about going potty. Your Griff should train, have meals, take walks, and do other activities at the same time each day. This helps your dog learn how things go around the house and helps tucker them out when they are full of puppy energy.
4. Positive Reinforcement Works Best
Dogs don’t react well to yelling and screaming during training, or at any point, really. Instead, you should implement positive reinforcement methods when training your Griff. Each time your dog does something correctly or shows off their good behavior, reward them. Lots of praise is something Griffs love. That doesn’t mean they don’t want a yummy treat too. Find a treat your pooch enjoys and make it part of your training sessions.
5. Be Consistent
The last thing you want is for your dog to be confused. When you’re training, consistency is the key, no matter what you’re teaching them. Use the same words or phrases when training. If you’re housebreaking, use the phrase “go potty” or “outside.” The same goes for sit, stay, and even tricks. You’ll also want to make sure everyone in the house is on the same page. If you’re trying to teach your Griff to stay off the couch, other family members must do the same. If one allows them up there, and you say no, your dog is going to be confused about what to do.
6. Keep It Short and Sweet
Instead of going for a long session each day, opt for several short ones. If you keep your training sessions between 5 to 7 minutes each time, your dog will stay more focused and perform better. Just ensure you stay consistent and do these short sessions several times a day.
7. Exercise First
A Griff is full of energy, thanks to their hunting background. Anyone who knows anything about dog training knows it’s difficult to train when your dog needs to burn off energy. To make training easier, you should ensure your Griff gets lots of exercise throughout the day. This will also keep your dog out of unwanted mischief.
8. Work Training into Daily Life
Your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will not only need training for situations at home, but you’ll also need to work training into their daily life. When you’re at the park or going on a long walk, try getting your dog to sit or do other commands you’ve been working on. This will help them realize they are expected to perform wherever they are.
9. Only Speak Positively
The last thing you want is for your dog to think you’re upset with them. Using phrases like “bad boy” or “bad girl” doesn’t go well with Griffs. They need to associate their name with good things. This will lessen your dog’s confusion and make training easier.
10. Use Different Methods for Discipline
If you see your Griff doing something they shouldn’t be doing, don’t yell or use their name harshly. Instead, use other methods to teach them what they are doing wrong. One idea is to put beans or stones in a can and shake it. When this distracts your pooch, then you can work on rectifying the situation.
Conclusion
As you can see, training a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon can be an exciting adventure. This breed wants nothing more than to please you. If you stay consistent and follow these steps for training, you should have a well-trained Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in no time. If you don’t feel like you’re making any progress, feel free to speak to your veterinarian about a local trainer that can help out.
Featured Image Credit: PharmShot, Shutterstock
