The right approach to training a dog always begins with a look at the breed’s origins.
Why? Because each dog breed was bred for specific tasks - and that shapes their behavior and needs.
Let’s look at two examples:
Firstly, we have the Rhodesian Ridgeback, which was originally bred for big game hunting. And what does it need for that? Independence, a good dose of self-confidence and now and again a mind of its own. It quickly loses interest if tasks do not make sense to it. This requires clear rules, consistency and a lot of patience in training - without exerting pressure or harshness. This is where the challenge lies: respecting its independence without losing its lead.
Now let's take a look at a shepherd. He is known for his willingness to cooperate with humans and his strong "will to please".
They love tasks and mental challenges. They are therefore more ready for action and tasks that encourage this need. But it also means that this close cooperation with humans is required and incorrect use, such as ball games, can have the opposite effect and lead to overstimulation.
So, understand what your dog was bred for, learn to observe him, discover patterns and respond specifically to his needs.