The Treeing Walker coonhound is a large, friendly, confident dog that is also trainable, according to the Dog Breed Info Center. As a responsible dog owner it is important that you train your coonhound to walk well on a leash, respect you and to listen to your commands. This is because it is a dog with little or no road sense and could easily get run over if it gets loose near a road. This breed also has a reputation for being a barker, so implement training to control this. Training and socialization should begin at 8 weeks of age.
Instructions
1. Housebreak your coonhound by taking it outside to the designated toilet area after waking, just before going to bed and after meals. Praise your hound enthusiastically when it successfully passes waste outside. If your coonhound is a puppy take it outside at least every two hours as its digestive system is very sensitive at this stage. Say "no" in a firm voice if you catch your coonhound passing waste inside the house and immediately take it outside. Praise the dog if it manages to finish outside. Do not scold your coonhound for going inside if you do not catch it in the act as it will not understand.
2. Train your coonhound to come to you on command by encouraging it to approach you with the use of positive reinforcement. Praise your coonhound enthusiastically and reward it for coming to you with special treats, such as small pieces of cheese or chicken. Introduce the word "come" when the dog moves toward you, to encourage the hound to associate the command with the action.
3. Teach your dog to walk well on the leash by starting out in the backyard. Let the dog smell the leash if it has never worn one before. Attach the leash and walk using the command "heel." Use verbal praise and treats to encourage the coonhound to follow alongside and just slightly behind you. Move out of the backyard and walk the dog in the neighborhood. Always walk out of the house or backyard first and walk slightly in front of the dog to show that you are in charge. Correct the dog for pulling or walking in front by saying "no" in a firm tone and giving a quick sideways tug on the leash. Walk at a brisk pace to help your energetic coonhound to burn energy.
4. Train your dog to stop barking by first triggering the coonhound to bark. Introduce the command "speak" when the hound begins to bark. Hold the dog's mouth closed and introduce the command "quiet." After a few seconds of silence, reward the dog with verbal praise and a treat. Repeat the exercise regularly until your coonhound stops barking on command.
5. Introduce the "leave it" command, which may come in useful if your coonhound becomes fixated when barking at an animal in a tree. Treeing animals is what the Treeing Walker coonhound was first bred to do. Sit in front of your hound with a treat in your hand. Allow the dog to sniff your hand but do not allow it to take the treat. Reward the dog for moving its head away from the treat by giving lots of verbal praise and providing a second treat from your other hand. Repeat the exercise and introduce the command "leave it" when the dog moves away.
Related posts
The Redbone Coonhound is recognized by the American Kennel Club as an agile hunting breed with a muscular build, pleading expression, musical bark and striking red coat. The breed was originally d...
Bluetick coonhounds were originally bred to hunt raccoons in Tennessee.Bluetick coonhounds were originally bred in Tennessee and quickly moved to the rest of the South, where they were used as hun...
Training an Australian Shepherd puppy takes dedication, patience, and plenty of time. Australian Shepherds or "Aussies" are smart and easy to train and can be taught basic commands in as...
Obedience training a male black lab can be a daunting task. Labradors are notoriously smart. However, they are excitable and energetic as well. Bred as a working dog, they are able to spend hours...
Treeing walker coonhounds specialize in hunting raccoons.Treeing Walker coonhounds resemble basset hounds. Like the basset hound, treeing walker coonhounds track game by scent. Firmly established...
