Griffon Nivernais, originally bred as hunting dogs in France, are renowned for their impressive sense of smell. They’re more suited to rural settings, given their high energy levels and intensive training requirements.
These dogs make great companions for families with children. They’re always active, always ready for a game or exercise, and seldom lazy. However, training them can be challenging.
When to Start Training?
Training for Griffon Nivernais should start early, around 7 to 8 weeks of age. This initial phase, often referred to as kindergarten training, should focus on obedience, including commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘wait’. Potty training should also start at this stage to establish good habits.
By six months, they should have mastered basic training and be ready for the next level. This includes obedience training, dog sports, presentation and confrontation skills, hunting abilities, pack dynamics, and following a leader, among other things.
Where to Start Training?
Griffon Nivernais require a large training area, given their energetic and active nature. They adapt well to such environments. Indoor training isn’t ideal for this breed; outdoor training is generally more effective.
Training should focus on their scenting abilities and trail walking skills, considering their hunting heritage. Another important aspect of training is managing their barking, as they are a vocal breed and prone to excessive barking.
How to Shape Griffon Nivernais?
Planning is a critical aspect of shaping Griffon Nivernais. The owner or trainer should have a clear idea of the desired training outcomes. Training should involve task repetition, with rewards given upon task completion.
Shaping should be a gradual process, allowing the dog to adopt the desired behavior over time. Training should involve a series of similar, incremental tasks. Smaller tasks might include opening and closing doors, spinning, rolling over, and fetching items for their trainers or owners.
The training might be more effective if the owner or trainer demonstrates the desired action. For example, they could sit when teaching their dog the ‘sit’ command.
Training Methods for Griffon Nivernais
Some basic training methods suitable for Griffon Nivernais include:
– Positive reinforcement training
– Clicker training
– Relationship-based training
– Alpha training
– Penalty training
– Scientific training
– Model-rival training
