Although some Rhodesian Ridgeback owners train their dogs successfully without the assistance of a professional, many find that hiring a trainer or attending training classes helps them accomplish their goals faster and with fewer problems. Its forebears can be traced to the ridged hunting dogs of the Khoikhoi, which were crossed with European dogs by the early colonists of the Cape Colony of southern Africa. Provide an area or digging box for them so they can dig to their heart’s content. Wait until your dog is at least 15-18 months old to exercise it vigorously – strenuous exercise can cause problems for developing bones. Chewing is a great way to occupy them. Remember to be very patient while training and stop the moment your dog shows signs of being bored, tired, or frustrated. This can often occur when a dog has eaten too soon before or after exercise. The cost of not doing so can be an unhappy and frustrated dog. A large yard or a park is a great place to let a Rhodesian Ridgeback do his running. Monitor your Ridgeback puppy on the walk for signs such as lagging behind, lying down or panting. To keep your dog happy and healthy, schedule regular exercise for it, and include it in your own outdoor exercise regimen (e.g. For more on exercise for your Ridgeback puppy read “How to exercise your puppy”. Quick Rhodesian Ridgeback Training Tips. For vigorous activity outdoors, aim to go out in the evening when the temperature is cooler. The most important question that that you will need to carefully consider, is whether or not a Ridgeback is right for you. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed bred in the Southern Africa region. They are also smart and need to have their minds occupied as well. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Start at the bottom of the stairs and have your dog “stay”. Weight: 64 to 90 pounds Height: 24 and 27 inches Lifespan: 10 to 12 years Rhodesian Ridgeback Temperament and History. This activity is ideal for a Ridgeback as it works the whole body and strengthens their muscles. Check with your vet when it is alright to venture out to the park or street. Many dogs develop arthritis as they age. This can become a problem if they are digging up your yard or even your carpet and furniture. This is a breed that suits active families who love being outside, no matter the weather. They are trainable, but they can be stubborn. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are proficient swimmers and enjoy the activity very much. The Ridgeback is best described as a discriminating barker. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. However, it is still important that they remain reasonably active to keep their joints and muscles mobile and to manage their weight. This way they are putting their full body weight on each leg. For more on mental stimulation for puppies see here. (Vitally Important!) The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a hound dog breed originating from Africa. Read “Exercise for a dog with hip dysplasia” to learn more. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Exercise-a-Rhodesian-Ridgeback-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Exercise-a-Rhodesian-Ridgeback-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Exercise-a-Rhodesian-Ridgeback-Step-1.jpg\/aid23160-v4-728px-Exercise-a-Rhodesian-Ridgeback-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. To keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback happy and healthy, exercise with it by scheduling hour-long rigorous activities like jogging or hiking 2 to 3 times a week. If you run, jog or cycle, bring your Rhodesian Ridgeback with you. How far can he walk a day without risk for injuries at that age? The ridge is nothing but a thick line of fur on its back, the hair of which grow in the opposite direction. Provide the opportunity for your Ridgeback to play with other dogs. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. There are many dog toys available that shake, rattle, roll and move about on their own. You can use items you have around the home, build your own agility or you can get reasonably priced agility sets on Amazon. As your Ridgeback puppy gets older you can take them for short informal walks allowing them to sniff and explore and get used to being on a leash. Before you begin any training, you want to make sure your Ridgeback has been properly exercised and is well-tired out. They see no merit in fetching things, but love a good game of chase. Overly strenuous walks are not necessary and in fact, could possibly cause harm. Exercise Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very high energy dogs which lasts well into their adult years so they need a lot of hard exercise to let off steam. They also love tugging and wrestling, but those activities can be best reserved for canine friends. This dog breed is bursting with energy so it requires a daily exercise regimen. Bred to hunt, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is used to working solo and making decisions without help or influence from other dogs or people. To learn more about environmental enrichment for dogs see here. Here are some suggested purposeful activities to do with your Ridgeback. helps strengthen and tone muscles from the resistance provided by the water. Tip #1: The more important behaviors to instill in your Ridgeback puppy are things such as not jumping up on people, going to a specific location on command, staying away from the dinner table, and other "civil obedience" behaviors. This means they need a confident, preferably experienced owner. A strong muscular breed requires a lot of … If he is a smaller dog, it should be okay. Rhodesian Ridgeback exercise ideas Flirt Pole. They are a good sized dog that stands between 24 and 27 inches tall and they weigh between 65 and 85 pounds. For a full guide to flirt pole exercise for dogs see here. A minimum of 60 minutes a day of walking and purposeful activity including muscle strengthening plus activities that provide mental stimulation is recommended. Rhodesian Ridgeback Training Inside this Rhodesian Ridgeback Training System are the answers you need for successfully training your dog beginning with the CAR RIDE HOME. Play games like fetch, tag, soccer, and blanket hurdles to exercise your dog in a fun way. This usually manifests itself in bad behavior such as excessive barking, digging, escaping and other destructive behaviors. It is important that this be a controlled exercise. Unlike other generic dog training related online platforms, Rhodesian Ridgebacks Training will help you learn training techniques that are specific to Rhodesian … Puppies under three months probably haven’t had all their vaccinations so shouldn’t be walked in public. The breed needs to exercise both … Rhodesian Ridgebacks can be aggressive towards other animals, as well as dogs of the same sex, so monitor your dog carefully when in public parks, dog parks, or out exploring. Do you really want a Ridgeback? A. How long should I walk a 3 month old Ridgeback? My Rhodie loves to go for morning walks/runs around my 410 acre property, but after that he sleeps for 12-14 hours a day unless there is a reason for him to be alert. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Once your dog gets used to the course, add a few blankets or pillows to increase the challenge. Some Ridgebacks may not be friendly with unknown dogs. Throw the ball to the top of the stairs and then say, “Go!” Let your dog dash up the stairs as fast as they can. Though originally bred to hunt lions in Africa, this breed is generally relaxed and low drama, preferring a spot on the couch after a run to a spot guarding the door. Any activity that is high impact on the joints should also be avoided. Puppies need lots of sleep to recover all of the energy they expend exploring and playing in their new surroundings. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are hound breed, so they usually require a large amount of exercise to keep strong and athletic, which will make it easier to adapt to different living situations and make them admirable indoor companions. You can incorporate exercises such as hunting expeditions, extensive play, and challenges that will prevent those energy bombs from going off. A dog who respects you will do what you say and will stop what he's doing when you tell him "No." These exercises effectively keep them … Required fields are marked *. As the Ridgeback has good levels of stamina and can go for long distances, they can make great running partners. Read “12 Scenting and nose games for dogs” for some ideas. Playing Fetch with your Ridgeback is another fantastic way to burn pent-up energy. If he is a larger dog, you should wait till he is 18 months old, as you don't want to risk plate injuries. For the right family, they can make loyal and loving pets, but the emphasis is on 'right'. Set up an agility or obstacle course in your backyard. is an ideal therapy for a dog recovering from injury or surgery – see, Most Ridgebacks love to swim and will want to do it. Needless to say, this ability comes from possessing lots of … Read “Mental stimulation and mind enrichment for dogs” to learn about the 6 types or categories of mind stimulation a mental enrichment and some great ideas to provide this. This makes stair exercise more of a strength and muscle conditioning exercise. I would say about 45 minutes. Make them crouch and pull back to use extra energy. Two hours daily would be better. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Your email address will not be published. There are three main types of exercise and activity you must provide your Boxer dog every day. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are intelligent and capable of learning quickly, but their independence may present a challenge during training. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Provide your dog with whatever reward they enjoy when they perform each given command correctly, but don't go overboard, or your dog may start to expect lots of praise every time. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Rhodesian Ridgeback Exercise Needs These dogs are active and athletic, and are blessed with incredible endurance--but in reality, Rhodesian Ridgeback exercise … As Ridgebacks have high chase and prey drive these toys provide enrichment and get them moving. If you're reading this, chances are you're probably moving toward the decision of adding a Ridgeback to your family. Additionally, you can keep your dog mentally stimulated by playing a game like fetch with a rubber ball or squeak toy. To learn more about the symptoms of bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) and ways to minimize this happening seeeval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'barkercise_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',116,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'barkercise_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',116,'0','1'])); In addition to the daily walk, it is important to include other activities in their daily routine. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are large - they usually weigh around 30 - 35kg and are 60 - 70 cm at the withers (the highest point on the dog’s back, near the neck). Ridgebacks are also a breed that is prone to hip dysplasia. This activity would be best as a supervised and control game as a dog like the Ridgeback could destroy these types of toys. Mental stimulation is important for puppies and can tire them just as much as physical activity. Make sure this is a supervised activity to prevent fighting. The exercise needs of a puppy are quite different. 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