Wolf Dog Training: Expert Tips and Advice
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Wolf Dogs are a hybrid between a domesticated dog breed and a wolf. With a wilder majesty, these are sought-after pets in some circles. However, they present a lot of challenges too. We’ve compiled an informative step-by-step guide to help you successfully train a Wolf Dog.
Before You Begin
The first thing to do before adopting a Wolf Dog is to check your local laws to see if anything prohibits or restricts ownership of the breed. Sometimes you have to feed them a certain diet or have certain preventative measures, like high chain link fences.
Another consideration is that some Wolf Dogs have more wolf in them than others. High- and low-content Wolf Dogs refer to dogs with more and less wolf DNA, respectively. More wolf means the dog will have a more prominent fear of humans, which makes socialization and obedience training difficult, to say the least.
Finally, we have to forewarn you that Wolf Dogs can be unpredictable and dangerous creatures. Yes, some turn out to be perfectly fine pets, but others are more wolf than dog. As with any individual creature, their temperaments will vary.
Top 3 Wolf Dog Training Tips:
1. Socialize With Care
Like every dog, a Wolf Dog needs socialization from an early age. This involves exposing them to all kinds of places, people, dogs, and other animals. Positive reinforcement techniques like rewarding your dog for good behavior around new, unfamiliar stimuli will go a long way and set the foundation for successful obedience training.
Wolves are very private, even paranoid animals, so their dog hybrids can be too. Take things very slow when socializing, starting at a distance and exposure level that makes your dog most comfortable. Treats are your friend here, and you can never have too many on hand.
Another important note is to never use negative reinforcement or punishment to train a Wolf Dog or you could scare them. Scared Wolf Dogs can become aggressive, just like their primal parent/ancestor.
Wolf Dogs are sometimes regarded with fear or suspicion, so be careful where and for how long you take your dog out. Some dog parks even ban dogs related to wolves, so always check whether the dog park near you is ok with exotic breeds.
2. Obedience Training
Obedience training goes hand in hand with socialization and is equally important. Wolf Dogs are very intelligent, and they can have a mind of their own sometimes. You have to approach obedience training with more patience and get on the dog’s level. What do they want? Food, love, and attention come to mind.
At a young age, you can start training simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Those are essential for keeping your dog safe in unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situations, so they should come first.
More specific issues that crop up during obedience can be addressed with the help of a dog trainer. It can be hard to find a trainer experienced with Wolf Dogs because they are part wild animal. Search around as necessary and even expect to pay more for help with your Wolf Dog’s training versus a more common dog breed.
3. Crate Training
Crate training a Wolf Dog can be a challenging and even futile endeavor, depending on how much wolf they have in them. Wolves dislike being confined, and Wolf Dogs are no different, howling and stopping at nothing to escape from confinement. To set yourself up for success and make the space as comfortable as possible for the pup.
Put comfortable bedding and a favored toy or two in the crate and never put the dog in the crate as a punishment. This goes for yards too! Beef up your yard perimeter, if you haven’t already. Wolf Dogs will test every flaw you have in your yard if you leave them out there for any length of time, not to mention it may be legally required in some areas.
Conclusion
Wolf Dogs can be great pets, but they take more work than your average large dog. They are more fearful of humans and animals in general, so always take things at a slow pace and use plenty of positive reinforcement to help smooth things along.