The catahoula leopard dog has the reputation of being one of the world's best stock dogs because of their stamina and territorial aggression. The dog will go to great lengths to protect his master and stock. The dog handles cattle and hogs with a strong-willed personality. They are also commonly used to hunt raccoons, wild hogs and bears. The dogs are used as an aggressive cattle dog, a property protector and a family pet. Their aggressive and territorial tendencies make early training imperative.
Instructions
1. Establish yourself as pack leader early with the catahoula leopard dog through early obedience training. The dog has very strong alpha tendencies. They see humans as pack members and their owner as the pack leader. The catahoula leopard is a dominant dog and will often try to establish itself as leader of the pack unless the owner works with the dog in early obedience training to establish that the human is always the pack leader and not the dog. Enroll the puppy in early puppy obedience kindergarten and then move on to organized obedience classes taught by a formal trainer.
2. Teach the puppy to walk on a leash at an early age. Catahoula leopards often fight restraint and have even been known to bite their owner if older when being trained, according to Catahoula leopard trainer and breeder Linda McKay. Attach the leash to the puppy's collar. Gather the leash in your right hand and hold with your left. With the dog on your left side, start walking. Talk to your dog and offer encouragement for it to follow along. Snap the leash several times if the dog lunges or lags. Offer the dog treats and ample praise every step of the way.
3. Take the catahoula around cattle early if the dog is going to be a stock dog. Tie the dog near the cattle chutes and let the dog watch the cattle. Work cattle in front of the dog often. Soon the catahoula leopard's natural instincts will kick in and the dog will begin to show herding instincts.
4. Teach the dog to not be afraid of firearms if you plan to hunt with the dog. Take the dog to an open field where the discharge of a firearm is safe and legal. Allow the dog to remain in the car while you practice shooting. After 15 minutes of shooting open the door to the car but allow the dog to remain inside. Practice 15 more minutes of shooting with the dog still in the vehicle. Bring the dog outside and allow the dog to sit behind you while you discharge the firearm. Offer encouragement and let the dog know what is going to happen prior to the incident. Soon the dog will grow to accept the noise of a firearm.
5. Teach the dog to hunt after the dog is unshakable around a firearm discharging. Walk with the dog into a hunting area to bird hunt. Shoot a bird and walk up to the carcass. Show the dead bird to the dog and encourage the dog to enjoy it. Do this numerous times. Soon the dog will understand that when it hears the gunshot it should head out looking for the bird.
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