Hey,

A while back I mentioned that I'd be giving my dog some intense training after splitting with my partner. Ive been reading Cesar Milan and watching 'me or the dog' and to be honest its come along fantastic.

He doesn't jump around anymore as I put the lead on, we wait for him to be calm and submissive before hand. He walks slowly behind me as we leave the house and sits and waits whilst i lock up...which is a far cry from jumping up and down at the door and dragging me out when it opened haha his walking to heel and ability to walk past other dogs without losing concentration on me is great..the earlier he goes out in the morning the better he is...if i don't get out with him til lunchtime he is a bit too excitable and can pull here and there. Most the time we walk with a loose leash and he stays by my side...people around the neighbourhood have stopped and commented about the change (first week i was dragged everywhere) and i get many complements about his obedience. We are working on the 'come' back at the moment which is hit and miss when hes very distracted. I just make myself seem as interesting as possible haha

Anyway down to the issue, the one thing i cant seem to stop and i know its something im doing wrong, is when hes off the lead running around and getting quite excited...he starts trying to play with me. Hes 19 months old and a rhodesian ridgeback so quite big...his play is rough and he runs past me and jumps to get my arm or nips at my wrist. He turns into a devil. He'll also run at my legs from distance when he gets like this (knocking me to the floor sometimes). Last night we had a great walk for a few miles...getting let off leash when no one was around to do recall and let him stretch his legs...all was wonderful. Then on route back to the car he started this behaviour. Ive tried ignoring it staying calm and assertive...he gets rougher and barks at me. Ive put him back on his lead and forced him into lie on his side position with a claw shaped hand, pretty much anything i can think of beyond hitting him (i wouldnt do that doesnt get you anywhere). Im taking him for a long one again soon and going to try taking a spray bottle of water if he starts up but knowing him hel probably love that more. its like he doesnt respect me as leader but im not quite sure what im doing to cause this.

Any tips?

My sister keeps persuading me to have him 'done' but hes a beautiful ridgeback really stunning and lovely temperment with people and animals so very hesitant just in case he could be bred from one day. I probably will in the end id just like to talk to a few vets etc about that and be sure before rushing in. I think he'll calm down a lot himself by the time he reaches 2 and his hormones are more stable.

You could start by throwing the CM book in the bin where they belong and stop watching VS. Then investing in some training classes where you have a trainer to observe and help - but make sure they use positive training methods and stay away from the CM school of 'dominance'.

As for castration, don't let the thought you might stud him stop you. If he hasn't been shown no responsible breeder is going to choose him over a CC winner or established dog from those lines. Leaving you with the not so reputable breeder you would want anywhere near your boy.

Castration may calm him down and I have found it makes boys far more responsive to training but it isn't a guarantee. On the other hand, some of this behaviour could be down to him reaching adulthood so now would be a good age for castration if you are going to do it.

Remember it is easier to train a dog to do something than to train it to not do something. IE it is easier to teach him to go into a down on command than it is to teach him not to bowl you over. Perhaps you could redirect him into a different activity such as a down or get him to do a proper recall sit - have him recall then sit next to you before he gets a treat. Start by recalling over a very short distance so he can't work up any speed!!! Then gradually increase. And watch for signs he is getting over excited on a walk off lead and recall him before he gets the adrenaline up, maybe getting him to heal off lead rather than back on the lead some times so he learns a bit of self control.

Hope this is some help & I appologise in advance if my tone regarding CM & VS seems like I am critisising you - I'm not, just them. I think it is brilliant how hard you are working with your boy. Good luck

PMSL!
I agree with everything said here.

As an RR owner myself, who took on full 'parenthood' when my partner and I split (he was about the same age as yours!) I know exactly what you're dealing with!

Mine was castrated at about 9 months but the problems you're describing still existed afterwards and still do every now and then now.

My recommendation is plenty of off-lead exercise and interaction - mine will walk and run with me for hours on end but the need a bit more than that. As they're not natural retrievers they don't tend to fetch well, but playing with a toy when you're out and about (basically chasing after your RR shouting "I'M GOING TO GET IT!") does the trick!. Mine still has his moments where he tries to knock me over or nip at me - only in a playful way - calm tones and distraction work best.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are fabulous dogs. Until they're about 2 years old they can be hard work, but keep at it and you'll find you've the best friend you could ask for.

Good luck.

Thanks for replies people - Ill be honest i dont agree with a lot of the bad press CM gets as i find the methods have worked so well and results speak for themselves. although i don't choose to follow ALL his methods and tend to disagree with dogs being dogs not breeds quite to the degree he stresses.

Miss Trust that is hysterical because that's exactly what i do with him 'IM GOING TO GET IT' he goes mad, adores to be chased....little wind up merchants aren't they!! All the money i spend on toys and he'd rather have a stick haha I have grown up with Rhodesians and without being too biased (i have had a couple of other breeds) they are just amazing. I'm pleased its not just me that has this issue and you yourself have to put up...the only way I'm managing right now is to do what the above and yourself have said and keep him distracted learning good behaviour instead.. hopefully as he gets into year two he'll calm down. I always hear that shoulder barging is a big trait with them...as annoying as it is.


I would love to get another RR later on so really want his training fantastic, at the moment with renting and all the bills and rent being down to me im not yet able to get a trainer so really been trying to just iron out the basic things such as walking socializing returning myself for time being - hes so good with other dogs he makes me proud