Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a ridgeback boxer mix , I noticed when she was a puppy she was different , very dominant , I have socilized her to every thing took her to training positive reinforcement, to get over the dominance issue I had to make her world very small by crating and play to have her focus to me , they are pure pack and you must be the leader, she gets nothing unless she does something , now she is in tracking and shutzhund although this is not recommended , I do not find her aggessive she is very social , very exubarent , even her body language to other dogs is different they either like her or they dont . I curb her prey drive with focus to me now it seems I am more interesting than what ever she focuses on , because of the hunting drive , getting a ridgeback to focus is very difficult once it is done as well as teaching the recall or to leave it really helps , I always make sure I have treats and toy once she was attached to her ball she will go any where to get it , shei is still not perfect and I think it will be ongoing for life training etc. They have to be a dog too , they do not like to be drilled or nagged that is when the independant thinking comes in , they get board very quickly and move on to the next thing , with dominance it can be a battle of the wills , I find shtzhund is teaching her control of herself , she has not shown any protective nature what so ever due to her socialization, I have never seen her be protective , but then again people cross the street when they see her mostly so she has never had to be , she also does not bark , her biggest problem is using her paws and jumping up but that is a boxer trait I believe , she has the temperment of a ridgeback

Sounds like you have a great dog and are working wonderfully with her. Welcome to the forum and I hope more ridgeback people show up and share their experiences with the breed.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

I would definately get a one on one trainer. I have had ridgeback and they are very single minded when they want to do something. They need training and lots of it. You have to be Alpha Dog from day one.

Cheryl

yes I have went to a private trainer,one on one for a year positive reinforcement method leash and straight collar only, this temperered back her dominance with target exercises and behavioral modification pack methods touch and submissive posturing , I do not mean alpha holds, but rewarding calm submissive behaviors when they occured . The shutzhund trainng gives her intense focus by using natural drive to positive energy.