The natural characteristics which make the
dog so perfectly adapted to life as a pack animal, also govern its
interaction with people. Thus, a dog is able to subordinate itself
to an individual in the pack who enjoys higher status than itself.
And so it is that , as the dog's owner, you are now its pack leader.
I have Veterinarian Certificates on the temperament and mental stability
of each of my boerboels. The temperament tests are done every six
months.
Ideal age to introduce your boerboel puppy
The ideal age to introduce a puppy into
your home is when it is ten weeks old. It is at this stage of their
development that young animals learn most quickly and certain vitally
important behaviours are imprinted indelibly on their minds. For
example, you will be imprinted in the puppy's mind as its pack leader
and your home as its environment. A puppy will also adapt more easily
and quickly to its new surroundings at this stage than if it were
older.
Your boerboel the first 2 months
For the first two months, all you need to
teach your dog is to respect the word 'no' and its name. You can
also begin house training. However, during the first two months,
the most important things are to see that your puppy gets lots to
eat and drink, sufficient sleep, lots of human company, plays a
lot and gets plenty of exercise.
Your boerboel after the first 2 months
After two months, you can gradually teach
your dog to come when called, walk on a lead and sit and lie down
on command. If your dog is to be a companion animal, this is really
all it needs to know. However, there are a number of important rules
you need to keep in mind at all times:
- Always talk to your dog in a quiet tone; a command in a loud
voice should be the first degree of punishment. If you constantly
shout at your dog, you will not have a more obedient dog - all
the shouting will merely blunt its perception.
- Commands must always be brief, clear and expressed using the
same words. Only then can you be sure that your dog will understand
them. Although it is not clear whether dogs recognise the words
themselves, they do register the rhythm and cadence of your speech.
It is a good idea to accompany each word with a specific gesture
so that later, your dog will be able to obey your commands at
a greater distance and without words.
- Praise your dog lavishly whenever he obeys you. Punish it only
when absolutely necessary and never punish it harshly. As already
mentioned, the first degree of punishment is a loud voice. Your
dog will readily recognise the change in your tone of voice and
the raised voice will tell it that it has done something wrong.
The next degree of punishment may be with a folded newspaper or
small twig. These both make a characteristic sound which will
be linked in your dog's mind with his having done something wrong.
As your dog matures, there mere rustle of the newspaper will be
enough to alert your dog to its wrongdoing. Never, under any circumstances,
should you hit your dog with either its lead or your hand. He
must always have absolute trust in both these objects!
Source: Dogs, L. dobroruka and Z. Berger
