Breeds That Need Special Attention to Training and How to Be Successful at Raising Them
Certain Dog Breeds Require Special Training Attention
Thinking of getting a puppy who requires special attention to training? Dog owners often overlook several key aspects of training when raising strong, high-energy, or protective breeds. Failing to address these areas can lead to behavioral issues, difficulty in managing the dog’s strength, and challenges in social situations. Frankly, if certain dogs are not trained properly as puppies, they can turn out to be dangerous.
For each of these breeds, early training builds a foundation for trust, control, and positive social
behavior, ensuring they grow into balanced, safe, and well-adjusted adult dogs. Early training also strengthens the
bond between the dog and its pup parent, creating a healthy dynamic for a lifetime of
companionship.
So, Which Breeds Need Special Attention to Training as a Puppy and Why?
Akitas are powerful dogs with strong protective instincts and a natural inclination to guard. Early training and socialization help Akitas learn to be calm around strangers and other animals, preventing potential aggression. Akitas also tend to be independent, so early obedience training helps them become more responsive to commands.
Australian Cattle Dogs (Blue Heelers)
These dogs are known for their intelligence, energy, and herding instincts, which can lead to nipping or herding behaviors if not properly trained. Early training and socialization help them channel their energy constructively, making them less likely to become frustrated or exhibit unwanted herding behavior.
While Bulldogs are often perceived as relaxed and friendly, they are strong-willed and can be surprisingly stubborn. Bulldogs benefit greatly from early training to ensure they are cooperative and responsive, especially in situations requiring restraint. Bulldogs are prone to behavioral issues like possessiveness and can become hard to control if not trained early, given their tenacity and low tolerance for new situations. Starting training as puppies helps Bulldogs learn to respond positively to commands and adapt calmly to their surroundings.
These are large, powerful dogs with a strong protective instinct. Historically bred as guardians and working dogs, Cane Corsos are known for their loyalty and territorial nature. Without proper socialization and training during their puppy years, Cane Corsos can become overly assertive and difficult to handle due to their size and power. Early training helps them learn boundaries, recognize family members and friends as non-threats, and respond obediently to commands, ensuring they grow into gentle, manageable companions.
Dobermans are highly intelligent and loyal but can also be naturally territorial. They need early training to channel their protective instincts constructively. Training during puppyhood ensures they become friendly and trustworthy, as untrained Dobermans may become anxious or reactive in unfamiliar situations.
German Shepherds are highly intelligent and protective by nature, often displaying a strong drive to work and a natural inclination to guard. Without early socialization and consistent training, their protective instincts may become excessive, potentially leading to behaviors like excessive barking or over-guarding. Early training helps channel their intelligence and energy productively, fostering a well-adjusted, obedient dog that can thrive in family settings and public spaces.
Despite their gentle disposition, Great Danes are large and strong, so early training is important to prevent them from becoming unmanageable. Teaching commands like “sit,” “stay,” and leash manners early on helps ensure their size doesn’t become a problem as they grow.
Pit Bull Terriers (including American Staffordshire Terriers)
Pit Bulls are loyal, energetic, and strong. Early socialization and training help ensure they interact positively with other dogs and people, avoiding issues that can arise from their natural playfulness and strength. Proper training helps channel their energy and reduces behaviors like excessive jumping or rough play.
Known for their high energy and strong prey drive, Huskies can be challenging to manage without training. Early socialization and obedience training help Huskies understand boundaries, learn recall, and curb their natural desire to wander or chase small animals. Training also helps with their tendency to be vocal and prevents them from becoming destructive when bored.
What Aspects of Training Should a Pup Parent Understand Before Committing to One of These Pups?
1. Early Socialization
Many owners underestimate the importance of early socialization, which involves exposing puppies to a wide range of people, environments, sounds, and other animals. This exposure, particularly critical for protective or high-energy breeds, helps reduce fear-based reactions, such as aggression toward unfamiliar people or animals. Proper socialization helps dogs learn to handle new situations confidently, reducing the likelihood of over-guarding and fear-based behaviors.
2. Establishing Leadership and Boundaries
Owners sometimes shy away from setting clear boundaries or establishing leadership, especially with breeds that can be stubborn or dominant. Dogs that lack a sense of clear boundaries may become headstrong, challenging, and less responsive to commands. Consistently setting rules (such as no jumping, staying off furniture, and respecting personal space) and enforcing them with positive reinforcement helps these dogs recognize their place within the household, leading to better obedience and reduced behavioral issues.
3. Crate Training and Alone Time
Owners may neglect crate training, either because they feel it’s unnecessary or they worry it will upset the dog. However, crate training provides dogs with a safe space, which helps with separation anxiety and prevents destructive behavior when unsupervised. Particularly with powerful breeds, having a calm, secure environment they can retreat to when alone builds independence and reduces the risk of anxiety-driven behaviors.
4. Consistent Recall Training
Recall is one of the most vital commands for any dog, especially for breeds with strong prey drives or a tendency to wander, like Huskies or Malamutes. Owners often overlook recall training or fail to reinforce it regularly, which can lead to dangerous situations if the dog chases after other animals or ignores commands. Practicing recall in various environments and rewarding the dog for returning ensures they respond reliably, even in high-distraction situations.
5. Leash Manners
Many owners underestimate the importance of teaching leash manners early on, which can be especially problematic with large or strong breeds. Allowing a dog to pull on the leash, jump, or dart toward other animals can quickly become unmanageable as the dog grows. Teaching loose-leash walking and discouraging pulling from a young age is crucial to ensure safe and pleasant walks as the dog matures.
6. Impulse Control and Patience Training
High-energy or protective breeds often require impulse control exercises, such as teaching them to “wait” before eating, going through doors, or engaging in play. Without impulse control training, these dogs may exhibit behaviors like jumping, barking excessively, or lunging. Practicing commands like “stay,” “leave it,” and “wait” helps develop patience and prevents over-excited or impulsive reactions in various situations.
7. Controlled Social Interactions with Other Dogs
Owners sometimes neglect to manage their dog’s social interactions with other dogs, which can lead to over-excitement, aggression, or inappropriate behavior, especially with territorial or dominant breeds. Structured play sessions and controlled social interactions help the dog learn boundaries and appropriate behavior with other dogs, reducing the risk of confrontational behavior in public or off-leash settings.
8. Positive Reinforcement and Consistency
Inconsistent training and the use of punishment or harsh corrections are common issues among owners of strong-willed breeds. Punishment can lead to fear and mistrust, especially in protective breeds like German Shepherds or Rottweilers. Positive reinforcement, such as treats, toys, and praise for desired behaviors, encourages obedience and builds a positive relationship with the owner. Consistency across all family members in commands and rewards ensures that the dog knows exactly what’s expected.
9. Exposing Dogs to Different Types of Handling
Dogs that are not accustomed to being handled (such as having their paws touched, teeth examined, or bodies groomed) may become resistant or aggressive when restrained. Owners often overlook the importance of getting puppies comfortable with routine handling, which can make vet visits, grooming, and nail trimming stressful for both the dog and owner. Regularly practicing gentle handling helps dogs become more comfortable and cooperative in these situations.
10. Managing High-Energy Needs
Owners sometimes underestimate the exercise and mental stimulation needs of high-energy breeds, leading to boredom and destructive behavior. Without proper outlets, these dogs may develop negative behaviors like chewing, digging, and excessive barking. Providing ample physical activity, along with puzzle toys, training exercises, and games, keeps these dogs mentally and physically engaged, preventing boredom-related problems.
Time Commitment for Training a Pup
Training takes time and before committing to a pup, be sure you have the bandwidth to properly care for the training your breed needs to be a happy, healthy and safe member of society. For an estimate of the time it takes to be a good pup parent, check out Paction’s Pup Time Estimator. Addressing these often-overlooked aspects of training can make a tremendous difference in raising a well-behaved, confident, and manageable dog, particularly for high-energy, strong, or protective breeds.
