Training Your Airedale
If you are fortunate enough to have an Airedale Terrier, you already understand that your furry companion is unique and requires considerable training. While these beautiful dogs are intelligent, they can also be stubborn. They are known for their loyalty, but their strong-willed nature can make training a challenge. These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement and encouragement. It’s important to avoid scolding, yelling, or hitting your Airedale Terrier, as this can hinder training efforts and even foster resentment.
CH Bryndale Penaire Genuine Risk 'Lexi'
photo compliments of Anna Brinker
You can successfully train your Airedale Terrier, but it demands consistency, patience, determination, and plenty of affection. It's essential to recognize that training this breed can be quite challenging and requires both time and skill from the pet parent. If given even a little opportunity, Airedale Terriers may quickly start to believe they are in charge. Therefore, it's crucial to be a calm, patient, and loving leader to help your Airedale Terrier thrive.
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Emphasize Positive Reinforcement
Your Airedale Terrier will respond significantly better to positive reinforcement rather than punishment or scolding. This breed is strong-willed and has a sense of pride, so negative feedback can be counterproductive. To effectively train your Airedale Terrier using positive reinforcement, reward them for correct behaviors and withhold rewards when they do not respond to commands. As you regularly train your pet, mix up the treats to prevent them from getting bored and losing interest in the process. Although this can be a frustrating and demanding endeavor, the effort will pay off when your Airedale Terrier responds to your commands. -
Exercise Patience and Consistency
When training your Airedale Terrier, patience and consistency are essential. For instance, you can't teach your dog a trick one day and then wait three weeks before trying again. It's advisable to create a step-by-step training plan and dedicate time to practice daily.
Being patient is equally important, as your Airedale Terrier won’t learn to behave, perform tricks, or respond to commands overnight. Offer your pet ample praise and positive reinforcement to ensure effective training. If your Airedale Terrier becomes stubborn during a session, take a deep breath and switch up your approach. You may need to pause the training until your dog calms down before continuing. They thrive when they view training as a fun and rewarding experience, so be sure to set them up for success and celebrate every small victory. -
Maintain Clarity and Precision
While it's important to be positive, patient, and loving, clarity is essential for your Airedale Terrier's learning without confusion. Establish clear rules and expectations, adhere to them, and eliminate any ambiguities. Additionally, timing is crucial reinforcement must be provided immediately. The frequency of your Terrier's behavior will depend on the consequences they receive right after an action. Punishing an Airedale Terrier for past actions is both ineffective and perplexing for the dog. However, you must promptly say "No" when they misbehave. There's no need for physical punishment; simply be firm so they grasp what's acceptable and what's not. A calm yet assertive "No" is sufficient; consistency is key. Remember, as a positive reinforcement trainer, your focus should primarily be on what you want to encourage, so seize every opportunity to reinforce behaviors you wish to see repeated in the future. -
Begin Training Immediately
It’s best to start training your Airedale Terrier while they are young and maintain that training throughout their lifetime. Although early training is crucial for any dog, it is particularly vital for Airedale Terriers due to their stubborn and strong-willed nature. Neglecting to train an Airedale Terrier during puppyhood may lead to the formation of undesirable habits that become more challenging to correct as they mature into adulthood. -
Be Open-Minded
Training your Airedale Terrier requires patience, firmness, and positive reinforcement, but there are some aspects you must accept. Certain instincts cannot be completely altered. For instance, you may never completely eliminate your Airedale Terrier's strong urge to chase small furry animals; however, you can manage this behavior by keeping them on a leash when out in public or around other pets. -
Consider Enrolling in Obedience School
If none of the earlier strategies have proven effective, it may be time to enroll your Airedale Terrier in obedience school. This approach is particularly beneficial for adult Airedale Terriers, especially if you didn't adopt them as a puppy and they have already established their habits.