Ridgebacks are wired to think independently...a trait
that can make training a challenge. There are Ridgebacks competing in many performance events like Obedience, Agility,
Tracking, etc., and some do quite well, but they are rare.
"Diva," one of my Disa puppies pictured on the left going over a jump, has
done quite well competing in Agility, but ask her owner, Kelly, about how difficult it is to train and motivate her!
Your average Ridgeback
will require more patience and creative training techniques than other breeds who are utilized more often
in those events. If you see a certain breed dominating a particular performance event, it is more than likely because
they are wired to perform that task more inately.
As you can see in this picture of Disa at an obedience training class, Ridgebacks can be a challenge (and too funny for words) to train. I was practicing
the obedience maneuver called a "finish" where the dog starts out standing in front of you and on the "finish" command they
are to walk around you and end up sitting on your left. Disa decided she was "finished" alright and just kept walking
to the back of the room and got into a chair! That's a true Ridgeback response!!!
It has been my experience...through trial and error, unfortunately...that
utilizing primarily positive reinforcement is the most effective means of training
a Ridgeback. The two most important benefits to this type of training is that it takes less time to teach them and it
is way more fun for both you and the dog.
Training with traditional methods can work, but at the
expense of your relationship with your dog because there is so much physical force involved in the training. There are slight differences in people's interpretation of positive reinforcement training, but the basic premise
is that you utilize a lure and reward system of training, instead of force and repetition. For
those of you who have a psychology background, these canine positive training techniques are actually based on proven
classical and operant conditioning techniques; learning theories well-known and taught in the learning theory world.
To give you an example of the difference...if you are training your puppy
or dog to sit on command using "positive reinforcement," you would utilize a treat in your hand to lure them into that position,
mark that behavior with a marker (a word like "good" or utilizing a clicker) and then reward that behavior with a treat.
After repeating that same behavior several times, you would then add the command while luring the behavior until the
dog corresponds the behavior with the command. At no time was the dog "forced" to do anything. They were merely
coerced, or lured.
If you were utilizing "traditional" training methods,
you would physically push down their behind while giving the command "sit" until the dog finally correlates the
command with the behavior. There is alot of physical force utilized in traditional training methods, pushing, pulling
and jerking your dog. More often than not, some pain is involved to speed up the learning process.
If you put yourself in your
dog's position, which would you prefer? Would you rather be lured into a position with a really tempting
treat that you actually get once you do it, or be repeatedly pushed and jerked around while someone shouts a command
at you in another language until you finally get it so they will stop physically pushing, pulling or jerking you? You
are probably getting the picture by now, but there is so much more to learn about positive reinforcement training.
The best book, in my opinion, to start with when learning
about positive reinforcement, is "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson. It is required reading for all my puppy buyers and it must be read PRIOR
to them bringing their puppy home. Jean Donaldson is the training director for the San Francisco SPCA. She has
written some fabulous training behavioral tips that are available online at the shelter's website.
Ian Dunbar (Click here for more information about behavioral articles written
by Dr. Dunbar)
Another author of many wonderful training books who is one of the pioneers
in the canine positive training field is Ian Dunbar. I would also highly recommend anything he has written on canine training
or behavioral subjects. He has written several papers on different training and behavioral topics you can access
by clicking on his name highlighted in yellow.
For a complete listing of recommended books on training, please
go to the Ridgeback Rescue website and click on the book section. By purchasing these
books through the rescue website, Amazon.com will donate 15% of the purchase to Ridgeback Rescue.
All owners of Yandisa
puppies must enroll and pass two levels of companion dog training by the time their puppy is 1 year old...and only
positive training methods can be utilized. This stipulation must be agreed to by the new owners and
is included in their signed Yandisa Puppy Contract. There are so many reasons why it is so important
to train your Ridgeback, but the most important is because I want to ensure you and your Ridgeback have a happy life together.
An untrained Ridgeback, even as a puppy, can quickly become a menace and can ruin your ability to enjoy them.
In the DC metropolitan area, we are fortunate to have Liz Thomas, a Ridgeback owner and professional trainer certified by the
Certificatio Council for Pet dog Trainers, who specializes in not only primarily positive reinforcement training, but also
training Ridgebacks. Ideally, Yandisa puppies in the DC Metro area will attend one of Liz' classes. For more information
on Liz' training schedule, call her at 540.687.6767.
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT),
has a list of trainers all over the U.S. on their website
to assist you in finding someone in your area who trains utilizing positive reinforcement methods. I would STRONGLY suggest that you do your homework, however, and check out any trainer listed by asking
for references and observing their classes.
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