The Rhodesian Ridgeback, formerly known as the African lion hound, is a distinctive dog with fan-like ridges along its back. They are perfect companions, are family-friendly and even make capable guard dogs. However, they must be adequately trained from the beginning so that unwanted behaviours like biting are eradicated for good. Although the breed is notorious for its aloof nature around strangers, biting will cause significant damage to costly furniture, and cause annoyance to humans and other animals. Teach them to learn and socialise from a pup for the best chance of success with your Rhodesian Ridgeback.

 

Rhodesian Ridgeback Stop Puppy Biting Today

 

The most common reason why your puppy may be biting is that it may be teething. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help your dog through this challenging period. Wet rags or baby teething rings can be frozen to ease the pain. Alternatively, frozen vegetables can be used for similar purposes. Your Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy may not yet be familiar with the most acceptable ways to play, so you might need to teach them. Consider buying one of the many toys that can be found in pet shops. Your puppy biting could also be a test to see where they fit in the pecking order. You need to acknowledge that you and your family are the alpha figures and not your dog. Ensure each and every member knows how to correct the puppy to prevent this from happening.

 
Techniques To Use For Rhodesian Ridgeback Stop Puppy Biting

 

 

Engage with Toys

 

It’s common for Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies to chew household objects and furniture. Offer them chew toys like bones to entertain them and stop them from destroying your possessions. It can also help to take its nose in your hand, shake it gently and say ‘no’ in a bad voice while slowly getting firmer. Get everyone in your family to do this, so your puppy learns acceptable behaviour.

 

Socialise Your Puppy

 

Rhodesians are pack like in nature so it can help to play with them frequently, as well as with other dogs. This will help them learn that random biting is not allowed. However, it will also accustom them to things like traffic and noise.

 

Don’t Punish

 

These puppies are surprisingly easy to train, and so, there’s no real need to punish if they do get things wrong. In fact, simply ignoring your dog can be punishing enough. Overall, your dog will respond to praise and reward rather than the opposite.

 

Assert Your Position

 

Rhodesian Ridgebacks make great family pets but unlike other dogs, are not as servitude in nature. If you don’t display your dominance, you do risk that your puppy could treat you as an equal, and this isn’t good.

 

Use Consistent Behaviour

 

Once the training with your pup has started, make sure everyone in your family knows of the same basic commands and uses them consistently. Don’t be afraid to be strict, and always use the same hand signals, so your puppy is aware of what they mean.

 

Prevention, not Cure

 

Don’t start the training when the biting actually happens. Make sure you are prepared. Unfortunately, many dog owners make this mistake, thinking problems should only be dealt with as they arise. Don’t let your Rhodesian Ridgeback fall into this habit.

 

Leave it Alone

 

If your puppy has done something wrong, it needs to learn there’s a consequence. Put your puppy in its crate, close the door and walk away from it. Give the puppy a chance to cry for at least ten minutes. Once they have finished, say ‘good puppy’ and continue as normal. This may seem harsh, but your puppy does need to learn right from wrong at an early age.

 

No Feeding Before Family

 

When you and your family are eating, lock your puppy in its crate and make sure it can observe everyone eating. Once you are finished, you can then feed your dog, but this shouldn’t be done from the table. Instead, let your pup eat from its bowl while pretending you have taken food from there are eating it. This helps draw the boundary that you are higher in the pecking order and have control.

 

Leave Before Puppy

 

As the alpha figure of the pack, you shouldn’t let the puppy leave the house first. This should be the other way around and will only suggest to your dog that you are on the same level as it.

 

Use Treat Toys

 

Treat toys like bones or pigs ears are useful for preventing unwanted biting or chewing with Rhodesians. Again, you should consider periodically removing the item and then giving it back, and this can even be done while watching TV or doing something else.

 

Make Yourself known

 

If you’re trying to establish the pecking order with your dog, it can be useful to approach it while it’s in its favourite sleeping spot, and encouraging it to move away. Moving into this area yourself then shows that you are the alpha and you’re entitled to the best position.

 

Look in its eyes

 

Look into your puppies eyes and do not look away until they do this first. The first couple of months are the best to train your puppy and ensure Rhodesian Ridgeback stop puppy biting. Once again, assert your dominance by walking to your pup and encouraging them to move from their spot. This indicates once more than you are in control and the boss in the household.