| Training methods |
As a pup try to interest your dog in play simular to that which you would deplore would it be a kitten. Use cotton rope for starters, itīs friendly on the gums and very bitable. Just keep it out of his reach, pulling it around the floor enticing him, when he catches it, struggle with him but never jerk the rope as this could hurt or disencourage him. Itīs good to quit and let him win when you see any sign of the pup loosing focus or interest, so donīt play for too long and let the pup be the winner carrying his prey home. They all seem to take to it immediately although I have seen AmStaff pups that were totally uninterested. I find it very sad that some have lost their spirit, without that he is merely a "dog". But maybe that is enough for some as itīs become quite popular to keep them as an accessory. Sad, bred for looks and everything else ignored. Enough about that. When at home remove whatever you use as bait, so he wonīt get bored with it plus he will learn when to switch off and when to rev up. For variation I used either warthog hide or thick hydraulic hose. Itīs good with a bit of variation as they can othervise become obsessive with particular objects for example; balls, sticks or if youīre unlucky, rocks and soda cans. As the pup grows, I evolve this game further by attaching the rope to a flirtpole and springpole, later maybe as bait on a catmill.
I even used to attach it to the back of a kajak. Avoiding "croc" attack by outmanuvering them in a dam used to be great fun often sending me plunging.
Flirtpole
If done correctly and with care is like High Impact aerobics for dogs. Tight turns and high jumps, makes them sure on their feet, strenghtens their muscle attachments and makes you quite a canidate for Drum Majorette in a parade.
Springpole
Never hang your springpole bait to high. I usually hang it so that the dogīs backlegs reach the ground and when he pulls, a correctly adjusted spring should let his frontlegs briefly touch the ground. If itīs too low he will shew the bait, if itīs too high he could injure his spine falling - they donīt always plan their landings!
Muscle building Iīve often done by attaching a garage type spring (but anything strong that stretches ― m or so will do) to a pole a metre of the ground. Attach a chain that is longer than the dog to avoid him getting pinched by the spring. Then when your dog is set up, run
the flirtpole just out of his reach, making him pull forward and forward-sideways. I usually let them pull with a think collar to strengthen their neck, but a harness is fine too. I used to have three of these setups next to my catmill. Training three dogs at a time switching them around every 10 minutes or so. While one dog ran the two others would cheer him on - giving themselves a workout at the same time.
They are great swimmers even under water, easily retreiving things from the bottom of a pool. I had a little female that used to retrieve a ball that was too big for her to bite by hearding it to shore using her nose lika a seal. The same female was also the only dog I have seen that could make her way up a rope when working a springpole without her feet ever touching the ground. When she died eight years old it was after having bit her killer into seven pieces - a two metre cobra!
I now live in Sweden again and after twentyseven years total in Africa, I have had to make some adjustments and sacrifices. I live in a neighbourhood were the houses are close to each other and it is no longer possible to train much at home or own as many dogs as I did, as this would probably horrify my neighbours plus my wife is not the most understanding when it comes to obsessive dog interests. But I still manage to keep a dog or two almost as fit as ever. Instead of a catmill we cycle and instead of a springpole at home, I hang one in the woods. It works but when I retire - actually long before then - Iīd like an acre of my own - maybe with a dam in it.
Donīt demand less of yourself than you do of your dog.
A lazy dogman often fails to see his dogs weaknesses or to realise the dogīs full potential.
Walk, run, jump, climb, swim - it pays off.
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