Samoyed dogs are known for their beautiful white coat, friendly personality and charming smile. However, they can also be stubborn at times, which can pose a challenge when training. But with the right approach, patience, and persistence, you can successfully train your Samoyed dog. In this article, we will explore in detail how to train stubborn Samoyed dogs from a professional perspective.
Learn about the Samoyed breed
Before delving into training methods, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of the Samoyed dog. Samoyed dogs were originally bred as working dogs in Siberia. They were used to herd reindeer, pull sleds and guard camps. These tasks require them to be independent thinkers with a certain degree of stubbornness.
Samoyed dogs are very intelligent dogs. They learn new things quickly, but they also get bored easily if the training is repetitive or uninteresting. Because of their history of hunting small game in the wild, they have a strong appetite for prey. In addition, they are social animals that thrive on human interaction and company. Understanding these characteristics will help you adapt your training methods to meet their needs.
Basic training command
Sit in command
First, stand in front of your Samoyed with a treat in your hand. Hold the food close to its nose and slowly move your hand up. When the dog follows the food with its head, its hind legs will naturally lower and it will sit down.
Once the dog is in a sitting position, praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this process several times a day, gradually reducing the use of “treats” as bait and relying more on verbal commands to “sit.”
Give the word
Start with your Samoyed sitting. Kneel next to it and hold a treat in front of its nose. Slowly lower the treat to the ground, guiding the dog’s head and body to follow. When it lies down, praise it and treat it.
Similar to the “sit” command, practice this regularly until the dog responds to the “drop” command without the need for a treat as a visual cue.
On command
First, have your Samoyed sit or lie down. Then, open your palm in front of it and say “Stay” in a firm but calm voice. Step back and wait a few seconds. If the dog stays where it is, go back to it, praise it, and give it a treat.
Gradually increase the distance and the amount of time you ask the dog to stay. If the dog breaks the stay, don’t blame it, but simply bring it back to the starting position and repeat the process.
obstinacy
Positive reinforcement
Samoyed dogs respond well to positive reinforcement. This means rewarding their good behavior rather than punishing their bad behavior. Give your Samoyed praise, a treat, or a favorite toy when he performs commands correctly. This will allow the dog to associate the desired behavior with a positive outcome and increase the likelihood that it will repeat the behavior.
For example, if your Samoyed comes when you call him, give him a treat and lots of affectionate touching. This will reinforce the recall command and make the dog more eager to come to you in the future.
consistency
One of the keys to training a stubborn Samoyed is consistency. Use the same commands, tone, and training methods each time. If you sometimes allow your dog to be on the couch and sometimes scold him for being on the couch, he will become confused and less likely to respond to your commands.
Set clear rules and boundaries for your Samoyed and stick to them. For example, if you don’t want your dog begging at the table, never give him table food, no matter how cute he looks.
Short and frequent training courses
Samoyed dogs have relatively short attention spans, especially when they are young or easily distracted. Keep training sessions short, about 10-15 minutes each. This way, the dog is more likely to stay focused and engaged.
However, you can train multiple times in one day. For example, you can do a quick meditation and stay session in the morning, a recall session in the afternoon, and a down command session in the evening. This frequent repetition helps dogs learn and remember commands more efficiently.
Socialization training
Samoyed dogs need to have good social skills and be friendly and confident around people, other dogs, and different environments.
Human socialization
Expose your Samoyed puppy to a variety of people from an early age. This includes men, women, children, people of different races, and people with disabilities or unusual looks (such as people in wheelchairs or wearing hats).
Encourage positive interactions by having people give the puppy treats and gentle petting. Take the puppy to public places like parks, pet stores, and sidewalks where it can meet strangers. But always make sure the puppy is in a safe and controlled environment.
Dog socialization
Arrange to play with other friendly and vaccinated dogs. Puppy classes are also a great way to get your Samoyed to interact with other dogs his age.
Monitor interactions closely to make sure they are positive. If your Samoyan shows signs of aggression or fear, remove him from the environment and introduce him later in a more controlled manner.
Environmental socialization
Introduce your Samoyed to different environments such as busy streets, forests, beaches and indoor Spaces such as malls or offices. Let your dog experience different sounds, smells, and textures.
For example, take your dog for a walk near a construction site to get him used to loud noises, or take your dog to a park with a pond to expose him to water. This will help the dog become more acclimated and less likely to be afraid or react in new situations.
House training
Establish a routine
Samoyed dogs thrive in everyday life. Set a regular schedule for feeding, walking, and toilet breaks. Take the puppy outside first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bed.
Always take the puppy to the designated bathroom in the yard. This will help the puppy know where it should go to the bathroom.
Box training
Crates are useful tools for training houses. The crate should be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Put a soft bed and some toys in the crate. Use the crate for short periods of time when you can’t supervise the puppy, such as when you’re cooking or bathing. Never use a crate as punishment.
The puppy should learn to see the crate as its safe and comfortable den. When a puppy is in a crate, it is less likely to have an accident at home.
Accident clean-up
If your Samoyed has an accident at home, clean it up immediately with an enzyme cleaner. This type of cleaner helps remove the odor completely, so the dog is not attracted to the same spot.
Don’t scold the dog after an accident. The dog may not understand why it is being punished, especially if the accident happened some time ago. Instead, prevent future accidents by sticking to your training routine.
Control training
Introduction belt
Let your Samoyed get used to the leash. First, let the dog sniff and play when off the leash. Then, attach the leash to the dog’s collar and let him drag the leash around the house or yard under your supervision. This helps the dog get used to the feel of the leash.
Walk without restraint
Bring your Samoyed dog. When the dog pulls you, don’t walk, stand still. Wait until the dog comes back to you. Then, praise it and start walking again.
Do not yank on the leash to correct the dog’s pulling behavior. This can cause discomfort and may make the dog more resistant. Instead, use positive reinforcement and patience to teach the dog to walk calmly on a loose leash.
Change direction and speed
Vary your walking speed and direction during traction training. This will keep your dog focused and help him learn to pay attention to you. For example, sudden changes in direction or acceleration and deceleration. If the dog follows your lead, praise him and give him a treat.
Advanced training and skills
Once your Samoyean has mastered the basic commands, you can move on to more advanced training and teach him some fun tricks.
postpone
Let your Samoyed lie down first. Hold the food close to its nose and slowly move it in a circular motion over its head and back. When the dog follows the food with its head, it will begin to roll.
Praise and reward your dog when he completes the roll. Practice this trick for a short period of time until the dog can perform it reliably.
Shake hands
Hold out your hand to your Samoyed dog with food in your hand. A dog may sniff or scratch your hand. When it raises its paw, say “shake it” and give it a treat.
Repeat this process several times until the dog associates the “shake” command with raising the paw. Then, gradually reduce the use of therapy as bait.
Jump hoop
Start with a small iron ring that is low to the ground. Use food as bait to encourage your Samoyed to go through the hoop. As the dog becomes more comfortable, gradually raise the ring and increase the distance between you and the ring.
Praise and reward your dog every time he successfully jumps through the hoop. This trick takes patience and practice, but is fun for both you and your Samoyed.
conclusion
Training a stubborn Samoyed can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By understanding the characteristics of this breed, using positive reinforcement, being consistent, and conducting short but frequent training sessions, you can teach your Samoyed a wide range of commands and behaviors. Socialization is also important to ensure that your dog is well-adjusted and friendly in different situations. Remember that patience and love are the keys to building a strong relationship with your Samoyed dog and achieving successful training results. With time and effort, your stubborn Samoyed can become a well-behaved and obedient companion, bringing you joy and happiness for many years to come.
Related topics
