Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgeback Training
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do best with a confident owner who will take charge. These hounds will be loyal to their master, but you need to present a master they can look up to. Before obedience training, Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies need socialization training to form positive associations with meeting strangers—including children—and other animals. It can be a challenge to train this independent breed that loves to test boundaries, so consistency in rewarding good behaviour and redirecting bad behaviour is key. This breed is active and smart, so they become destructive when bored and will resort to chewing your belongings as a way of letting you know they aren’t getting enough stimulation. It might be easy to let things go when they’re young, but remember that these dogs grow to be 80 pounds—bad behaviour isn’t so cute then.
Selecting a Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy
Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy Ears
Their medium-sized ears should sit high and close to the head, wider at the base with a tapered round point. Healthy puppies will have clean ears with no signs of discharge, redness, inflammation or pungent odour. If the puppy is aggressively scratching or pawing their ear, tilting their head or excessively flipping their head, it may also be a sign of discomfort. Breeds with floppy ears are more prone to infection or disease.