Bigger breeds: Use 5 tips to train large dogs

Being a pet parent to a large dog is more demanding than being a pet parent to a medium-sized dog. The role demands more responsibility as compared to handling most other animals. That’s why large dog training is crucial.

Why? All because of the size coupled with the temper!

A poorly trained or untrained large dog can be much more of a threat. If not trained well, it resorts back to its wolfy roots and may cause damage to you, your property, or young children.

You surely do not want that. Neither would you want a dog that’s too moody and demanding. 

Well, lack of training could lead to that as well.

So, to protect you, here are a few large dog training tips for you!

Start young

For large dogs like the American Bulldog or Afghan hound, it’s best to begin training while they are young pups. We recommend starting their training as soon as they walk because they’ll quickly grow big and tall. And once they reach their teenage or adult height, they will be too big for you to tackle physically.

From the start, let your furry pal know you are the boss. Use a decisive tone when you give training tips. So, the dog knows you are the leader. Once they understand the commands, they will continue to follow the rules as they age and get bigger.

Be affectionate

Dogs will acclimate to your world if you let them. And that’s particularly true for larger dogs, who are more inclined toward their wild nature. If you neglect large dog training, fail to give your dog enough attention, and make them part of your family, they may develop aggressive and rebellious attitudes. Hence, it’s of utmost importance that you show affection and spend quality time with them from the first day.

Play with your dog daily. Create a schedule and ensure it includes at least two 30-minute play sessions. Similarly, you’ve to pet them, take them out for walks, and include them in family trips and even discussions! Just do your best to ensure they don’t feel lonely or abandoned.

Be creative

If you’ve never owned a pup, let us tell you that sit and stay are the two most popular dog commands of all time. Any new dog owner would want their furry mate to obey two commands — sit and stay. And to be honest, obedience to these commands is crucial to your dog’s character development and your time with them. If they don’t obey these, spending a few minutes with them may become difficult. And chores like showers and lunch would be a complete disaster!

So, we recommend training your dog with these commands first and foremost. Some dogs, such as the Rottweiler dog breed, may need an additional step from your side. Owing to their intelligent and inquisitive nature, they might get bored with repetition.

So, you might want to incorporate newer methodologies in your large dog training sessions. Offer your dog tasty treats, reward them with walks, or use a different tone when being stern. Remember, whatever you do, don’t lose the connection!

Use a short leash

When training large dogs, you can face trouble during walks. Your dog may struggle to control its pulling and chasing instincts. And often, it will try to chase smaller animals. So, in this large dog training phase, we recommend using short leashes.

The closer the dog walks to you, the more control you’ll have. And you will have less trouble keeping them out of trouble. Do not use a retractable leash because they offer no control. 

Eliminate jumping

It’s in a dog’s nature to greet a newcomer by jumping. In a dog’s language, that’s a big, comfy hug. It may look cute when a toy poodle or a miniature Schnauzer jumps, but jumping can be risky with a huge Rottweiler or a German shepherd. A huge dog could scare or injure others.

So, it’s best to begin large dog training at a young age; it’s best to train your puppy to greet the visitors while seated. Or you could train your dog to shake. That would not only be safer but also more polite.

Follow a grooming routine 

Grooming can be another challenging aspect when it comes to larger dogs. So, we recommend developing a grooming routine from puppyhood. Set up a pattern, i.e., beginning with a nice, warm bath, followed with hair cutting, nail clipping, collar change, drying, and combing. 

Use tools such as dog clippers for thick hair, nail cutters, and more for easy grooming. That’s because if you introduce a vibrating dog clipper to a large dog, he might panic, try to bite you, and cause damage. The same applies to other tools.

So, ensure you introduce your dog to grooming tools when they are young.

Final thoughts on large dog training

Summing up, large dog training may not be as challenging as it sounds if you begin early. Plus, if you use the proper training techniques, it’ll be a piece of cake. Good luck!

Shawn Mack is a content writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. His educational background in the business and technical field has given him a broad base from which to approach many topics. He is also fond of writing engaging articles on technology & digital marketing-related topics.  

*DogsBestLife.com participates in the Chewy Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that lets our site earn fees by linking to Chewy.com. 

Puppy training 101: 7 tips to start your dog off right