Training Leonbergers

The Leonberger Breed: Training is a Must

The following views are the personal opinion of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of other Leonberger breeders. None of the information contained herein constitutes personal advice.

Why Train?

The leonbergers you meet in public that are shining examples of canine good citizens are not accidents. Their behavior is usually the result of proper breeding practices on the part of the breeder combined with months of training that began the moment the Leonberger puppy entered the home. Constant diligence is require to reliably shape expected behaviors. A Leonberger without training can quickly become a disaster. While a toy dog scrambling to get to the Thanksgiving Turkey on the kitchen counter may be cute, the 150lb. Leonberger who decides to get the turkey is an unwelcome customer! So, how can we best train leonbergers?

The Power of Praise

Leonbergers, like humans, prefer praise to punishment. This understanding is the foundation for positive reinforcement training and is why positive reinforcement training is the preferred technique of animal behaviorists. This is how Shamu learns his SeaWorld routine in the water and how horses learn to do tricks! Putting a choker collar on Shamu is a tough way to go with training and is likewise a difficult way to train leonbergers!

Positive Reinforcement Training

In positive reinforcement training, you reward your Leonberger with something positive or pleasant immediately after he “offers” the behavior you want him to do. Your leo is more likely to offer and repeat this behavior in the future, because they value the reward received from offering the behavior. Positive reinforcement training is the most powerful tool for shaping (changing) your Leonberger’s behavior. You can use positive reinforcement training with the youngest of Leonberger puppies! For a great book from the source, get your hands on Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor. Here is a video.

Socialization and Formal Classes

Formal class is very important for your Leonberger puppy! Lack of socialization is a major cause of Leonberger surrender to rescue organizations. Leonberger puppies must be socialized to a variety of people and a variety of dogs. We encourage everyone who adopts a puppy to take them to puppy kindergarten as soon as possible and to complete two levels of obedience training. This makes for a social Leonberger who is better adapted to travel and a variety of social situations, strengthens the bond between human and leo, and reinforces expectations for behavior and interaction with other dogs. When your Leonberger puppy grows up, you'll be glad you went to class when they were young!