Hybrid Wolf Puppies Training
From LoveToKnow Dogs
The Basics of Hybrid Wolf Puppies Training
Hybrid wolf puppies training principals are the same training principals that should be used when training domestic dogs, killer whales, parrots, or any other animal. There are behavioral differences to consider, but training any animal can be done by using positive motivation and effectively managing the animal's environment. This is true for hybrid wolf puppies as well.
Understand Your Wolf Hybrid Puppy
Wolf hybrids are social animals who do best living in a family group just like any dog. Your hybrid wolf puppy will need to have lots of contact with his family, and be encouraged to behave in ways that will allow him to be accepted and tolerated. Always begin training early, keeping in mind that every moment you are with your puppy you are teaching him something. Wolves are nomadic and they hunt for their food. This will mean that you will need to offer your wolf hybrid puppy daily exercise and mentally stimulating activities for the rest of his life. This can be done with daily runs, games, interactive toys, going on errands with you, and training.
Containment is Crucial for Hybrid Wolf Puppies Training
Hybrid wolf puppies are always learning. When they are with you, they will learn what you teach them. When you cannot supervise your puppy, he will continue to learn and sometimes he will learn things that you would rather he not know about. Things like:
- The television remote control smells wonderfully like you and has some popcorn salt left on it from last night. Mmm…tasty!
- There is "grass" right here in the house, why wait to go outside?
- Throw pillows make the coolest sound when you rip them open, and hey look it's SNOWING!!!
Crate training your wolf hybrid puppy will save a lot of time and money for you, and will save your pup from getting confused about what the rules are.
Safe Confinement for the Adult Hybrid Wolf
As your wolf hybrid puppy becomes an adult, you will need to create a safe run for her to stay in when you cannot be with her. The run should be constructed out of eleven gauge chain link panels as a minimum standard. The enclosure should be at least six feet in height and is best placed on a concrete pad. There should be a lock on the gate, and a chain link top. This will prevent your wolfdog from escaping, protect her from teasing by children, and the possibility of being stolen.
Basic Manners
Hybrid wolf puppies training should include learning basic manners. This includes:
- Bite inhibition
- Housetraining
- Socialization
- Basic obedience
If a puppy does not bite, eliminate indoors, is not aggressive to other animals or people, and listens to his owner, he is free. Free to go places and be with the people he loves, indoors and out. A responsible wolfdog owner insures his pet's quality of life by teaching him these basic things.
Force Results in Resistance
Avoid outdated and dangerous dog training methods when training your puppy. The alpha roll is not an effective way to communicate with your wolfdog or any other dog. Using other harsh methods such as hard jerks on the leash, hitting, scolding, shock collars and other physical corrections will only frighten your wolf hybrid. This will make it harder to achieve the desired behavior. Seek out trainers and training methods with a focus on positive motivation and controlling resources to achieve desired behavior from your wolf hybrid puppy. These methods are used by top animal trainers to train dolphins, killer whales, tigers, bears, and other animals.
Have Fun with Your Wolf Hybrid
Having a wolf hybrid as a pet is a unique experience. Take time to enjoy your wolfdog for all that he is. Run with him, hide interesting toys and treats around the house and yard and watch with amazement as he seeks and finds his quarry. Understand his instincts and protect him. Treat obedience training as a game, make it fun, smile at him, he will love working with you!
Additional Information
Nicole Wilde has trained, rescued, and lived with wolf hybrid dogs for many years and has two very informative books about these special dogs. The books are Living with Wolfdogs and Wolfdogs A-Z Behavior, Training, & More.
Comments
I have a white and grey wolf hybrid named Aries. She is a very loving animal. Doesn't have all the traing that she needs but we are working on it. i would love to breed her but can't find any info on hybrid breeding cycles. Is it like other dos? Or is it some thing different. She has just recently gone through her first cycle ( I think ) Any one can you help?
-- Contributed by: MariaMy husband and I owned a white timberwolf/hybrid. His father was one of 3 orphaned pups found in the Sierra Nevadas. His mother was a siberian husky. "Buddy" was the best dog we ever had. In all of his 13 years he never bit anyone and was great with the kids. His temperment was passive, did not bark much (only when strangers (uniformed) knocked on the door. He had all the markings of a full wolf except a bit of pink on his nose. We really miss our pup..he got his wings Sept. 20, 2007 due to an aggressive Cancer in his snout. Being our first wolf we fed him only dry dog food and though he looked healthy he got cancer, we changed his diet to a natural dog food and he lived a year longer than the Vet said he would. We believe that the natural food extended his life and recommend anyone seriously thinking about getting a wolf/hybrid to use natural foods like raw chicken with vegetables. They don't eat kibbles and bits in the wild! We found a breeder in Florida with white timberwolves, their website shows you how to make natural dog food. I hope to own one of their puppies one day. But for now I have to respect my husband's loyalty to "Buddy". He feels we would be replacing him. As for me, wolves are great family members and will love and protect you at all cost and I miss that!
CJ
- Hi CJ,
Buddy sounds like he was a wonderful companion. I just want to make sure that everyone understands there is a big difference bewteen the personalities of a full wolf, and a wolf hybrid.
Full wolves are not good candidates for pets. They may look like our dogs, but they are still wild creatures. A hybrid is one half domesticated dog, and so offers a better chance for companionship, but each hybrid's personality is unique. I used to know someone who kept a wolf hybrid, and she had to be careful around it. Perhaps the animal lacked training, but this was a very loving and caring owner to all of her dogs.
-- Contributed by: CJI have comment for the first commenter... You said you want your hybrid to "love and protect" your children. Id like to say - Wolf hybrids to not make good "protection" dogs, as with a wolf hybrid you need to be "alpha" Of the pack, Of course I agree with the advice given here - biting/hitting/yelling is not the correct way of training.
But as a wolf hybrid, They will expect the Alpha of the group to protect them and everyone else in the "pack" aka your family, You can bring your dog to be trained as a personal protection dog I myself do not suggest this - only because of stories I've heard of the hybrid questioning his rule in the pack.
(Being trained to bite and protect on command- but not being alpha.)
As for love - how to you have a normal dog love your children? :)
Hope this helps. B
-- Contributed by: BriannaThis page has been accessed 501 times. This page was last modified 04:55, 3 January 2008.
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