Common problems
Jumping on the owner – Leaving the dog at home
See below to find some common problems Rhodesians' masters come up against. The description consists of the reason why problems have appeared as well as solutions to them. If you consider your problem as one that is worth putting in this Web side or if you have a better solution to any problem which is below, drop us a line, please.
While jumping up, the dog may catch your nose or make your clothes dirty with his paws or even knock you down unexpectedly. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not demonstrate their feelings in this way. This is a typical example of making an attempt to dominate the master.
As regards puppies, it is a gesture of subordination. In a pack of wolves cubs, counting on some food, jump up she-wolf's muzzle. The same behaviour can be noticed when cubs want to atone for some offence. Jumping up she-wolf muzzle and licking are gestures of submission and subordination then. This jumping vary with age – later on, it acts as a gesture of domination.
If the problem concerns puppies, it is quite easy to cope with it. If the dog starts jumping on you or climbing your knees when you come home, do ignore him. On no account should the puppy be stroked or allowed to sit in your lap or rewarded in some other way. Otherwise, the dog will remember that he was able to draw the master's attention to himself in this way and was rewarded with a stroke. The best idea would be ignoring the puppy until he finishes showing off. If you do not break the dog of his habit of such acting, he will preserve the behaviour in his awareness and it will be hard to change it.
When an adult dog jumps on his master, he is usually rebuked and pushed away. If it takes place at your home as well, the dog has a right to being disorientated. It results from the fact that the dog has been allowed to sit in your lap and rewarded with a stroke for this behaviour recently, and now the master is aggressive. In that case, you should not pay any attention to the dog's greetings. On the contrary, you ought not to react until a few minutes later. So call the dog when he calms down, tell him: ‘Sit down,' and praise him.
If the dog surrounds your guests, it means that in his view his position in the family is dominant. That is why he thinks he has a right to take control of every member of the household. The best method for containing the reflex would be to lessen his position. You may also command the dog to sit down or to lie and then reward him. The dog will have some occupation and stop jumping. Nevertheless, it is a temporary solution.
It is Ridgeback that are very sociable and attached to the family. They do not like being left at home so people who work full-time ought not to take care of this breed. Nevertheless, leaving the dog at home for a few hours should not be a problem. Otherwise, it means that his attachment is excessive.
The dog should be taught being left alone right from the beginning.
If your puppy is in your special care; if he is held in arms and caressed, in all probability he will become emotionally dependant on you. Main symptoms are connected with behaviour, specifically such a dog will be treading on your heels, accompanying you on every activity, even if you need to go to the toilet; the dog will be leaning the head on your feet or sitting in your lap. While being left alone such a dog panics and tries to run after his master destroying the door. The dog seeks security in the smell of the master; he destroys clothes, howls or licks himself causing wounds in extreme situation. After some time the dog will be trying to stop you and not let you go out, or will be trying to elbow his way through the door before you. You as a master should not console or calm the dog down in this situation. In order to help the dog, you must understand the problem – any dog not only cannot function without his master but also is afraid of splitting up with him/her. It is good to start from some basic commands such as ‘Sit down!' or ‘Stay!' Moreover, it is necessary to limit caresses which should result from men initiative and be a reward for obedience. If you have a pet that wants to draw your attention, do ignore him. The first step would be teaching the dog being left alone for one minute in a locked room and then in the house. Extending the time up to three minutes (and then up to five minutes) repeat the situation a few times per day. Next, you should leave the dog alone five minutes longer every day. It is your behaviour while going out and coming back that ought to be changed as well. The master neither should say goodbye effusively nor show that something special is happening. You may give the dog a bone or a smoked ear or some favourite toy in your absence. After coming back do ignore the pet's warm welcome, undress yourself and busy yourself with doing something. So wait and only after five minutes pay more attention to the dog. It is necessary to take all the delicacies which were left by the dog away. In this way the pet will lessen his dependence on the master and learn to stay alone in the house.
As a last resort caging the dog in your absence is also a solution. Contrary to popular belief, the master does not abuse the dog if decides to keep him under lock and key. A cage is a kind of shelter and a safe place where an animal can hide. It may be covered with some blanket too and be a kind of den for a dog. Besides, the cage should be big enough for the dog. He must be able to stand up and turn around. Do not forget to put a bowl of water into the cage.