The bobtail, also called Old English Sheepdog, is a dog with a charming appearance, whose messy coat and docile personality make him a faithful and friendly companion, loving children and affectionate with the whole family.
Training is crucial so that coexistence with any dog, not just the bobtail, is harmonious. Although it is a happy and playful breed, this does not mean that teaching them the rules is difficult, since in the past these dogs were trained to be shepherd dogs. Keep reading this article on our site and discover what are the keys to training a bobtail
Be consistent
When training the bobtail, you have to be clear about the rules from the beginning. Being so affectionate and playful, it is normal for them to want to be with humans all the time, even in situations that are not pleasant for you, such as being on the bed or furniture.
To avoid unwanted attitudes, from the first day the bobtail arrives home, it is essential to be firm about which are the spaces to which they can have access and which ones they cannot. Loud scolding and violence are not necessary, simply remove the animal from where it shouldn't be, or let it know you don't like what it does with a firm “Nope! . If you opt for punishment, you should keep in mind that the result will be a fearful, insecure and even aggressive dog. The ideal, always, is to use positive reinforcement so that the animal associates education with pleasant stimuli, and not the opposite.
The rules must be applied by you and all members of the family, since otherwise they will only confuse the dog and ingrain behavior that is not welcome.
Bobtail exercise and training
Old English Sheepdogs love to exercise and have lots of energy, but they are also quick to get distracted if the activity bores them. For this reason, it is best to prepare a exercise routine of short duration each, approximately 10-15 minutes long, indicating the commands that must be accompany each action clearly.
However, before getting into the training of the bobtail it is advisable to socialize it correctly. Although it is a sociable and affectionate dog, you must make it interact with other animals and people from puppyhood so that it learns to relate properly to all of them. Likewise, do not forget to teach him, too, where he should relieve himself. Remember that the bobtail cannot start its first walks until it has all its mandatory vaccinations. From approximately 6 months of age, you will be able to start working on the different commands with him.
For the bobtail following commands is very simple, so the basic commands of "sit", "stay" and "come" you will learn them very quickly. Accompany the order of the action you want him to perform, gently guiding him with your hands if necessary. It will take him several days to learn an order, and when he has achieved it, you can move on to another, without forgetting the reinforcement of what he has already learned. Check out our article on basic dog commands and practice them with your bobtail.
Ideally, develop an exercise routine 3 to 4 times a week In each one, several commands will be learned, about 3 as maximum per day, interspersed with moments of play so that the dog does not get bored. Short and entertaining sessions will achieve better results than long and repetitive ones.
The training is better done at home and not in a park, because in the presence of other people and animals the bobtail will quickly get distracted. Once the orders have been internalized, you can put them into practice in different spaces so that they finish understanding them. On the other hand, exercise and games, outside of training hours, are recommended to be carried out outside the house, so that the dog breathes fresh air and can have fun exploring new things.
The bobtail ride
Being a large dog, knowing how to walk your dog correctly is essential to avoid problems such as pulling on the leash when it reaches adulthood. To do this, keep in mind the following recommendations, also applicable to specimens and adults:
- Use the right collar, avoiding those that could harm the animal's he alth. In this sense, if your dog tends to pull on the leash, opt for the anti-pull harness.
- Walks in a relaxed way, without pulling on the leash and letting him sniff and urinate calmly. Every time you want to turn or change direction, it is preferable that you indicate it by voice, calling or giving the command "come".
- Use a leash with a certain length to be able to carry it somewhat loosely, giving the animal more freedom. Extendable straps are not recommended.
- Carry rewards with you to reinforce good behavior and make walks a positive experience for both of you.
What if I've adopted an adult bobtail?
If this is your case and you would like to know how to train an adult bobtail you should know that the rules and guidelines mentioned above are also applicable to him. Of course, you should keep in mind that an adult dog that has already acquired a series of habits does not learn as quickly as a puppy, so you will have to arm yourself with patience and be constant. On the other hand, if your adopted dog has some problems such as fear, hyperactivity or aggressive behavior, before training him you should treat them to restore emotional stability.
Positive reinforcement
As we noted earlier, positive reinforcement is the best way to get the results you want out of the bobtail. Under no circumstances should you use violence to educate or reprimand him, as the dog will not understand what is happening and will develop resentment towards you, becoming more stubborn.
Keep on hand he althy dog treats and a toy That your bobtail likes it a lot will serve to reward it when it fulfills the orders well, and in this way the learning will be fixed more quickly. However, you must be careful with the administration of the treats and intersperse them with toys and shows of affection, otherwise your dog could become obese.
Bobtail's relationship with the family
Family is very important to the bobtail. Not only will he give you his unconditional love, but he will also enjoy spending a lot of time with each of the members that make it up. He really enjoys being with children, but they must not be allowed to take advantage of the patient personality of the Old English Sheepdog. This relationship with children and also with other pets must be built, because although he loves being with them, it is very possible that he will treat them like a herd if he is not taught how to address them.
When training the bobtail, it's best to have one person handle this and do it away from household children and pets to avoid distractions. Likewise, remember that it is essential that, even if only one member of the family is in charge of educating him, everyone uses the same commands and tone of voice.
From the beginning it is necessary to accustom the dog to external visits to prevent unwanted attitudes towards strangers, such as jumping on them.
With these tips we are sure that in a very short time you will be able to train your bobtail correctly.
