You are feeling pretty proud as you raised your leo puppy through puppyhood. You taught him basic manners, conditioned him to allow his feet and teeth handled, let him explore the world at his own speed, and socialized him extensively.
All is right in his/her world until your lovable sweet pup stops playing nicely and turns into <horrors> an adolescent.
Although not all Leonbergers go through this stage, many do and you should be prepared and not surprised. In this section, you will find topics with tips on getting through this difficult stage and continuing training and caring for your friend. Soon you will end up with the wonderful well trained – well behaved adult dog you know you have.
So you got your leo puppy through puppyhood. You taught him basic manners, conditioned him to allow his feet and teeth handled, let him explore the world at his own speed, and socialized him extensively. And for a while it was smooth sailing.
Then one day a noise emerges from your sweet puppy’s throat as another dog approaches. Rumbling up as though from the depths of some chasm you never knew was in him, it fills the air with an ominous sound.
GGRRROOOWWWLLL! Grumble, growl, snark, ROAR!!! Bark bark bark! Growl!
Soon other behaviors begin to appear in conjunction with these noises. Stiff-legged posturing with the chest pushed out, the head up, ears forward, tail held up high like a plumed sword. He starts kicking up the grass and dirt after he pees. He hikes his leg on inappropriate things, such as cars, other dogs, and people!
Perhaps most worrisome is that while he used to be so easy to take places because he loved everybody
(human and dog alike), now he growls and hackles at other dogs, can’t concentrate in class, and no longer plays nice with others. Not even the girls! What happened to that sweet, easy going, social puppy you had just a few weeks ago? What went wrong? Nothing is wrong. Your puppy has entered the next stage on his way to becoming an adult. Unfortunately, this stage is often the most challenging and frustrating stage. It is adolescence. (cue dramatic music: dun-Dun DUNNNN!)
This excerpt is from Adolescence 101 – What happened to my sweet baby boy???! by Shannon White
Use the link below to read the entire article.
You got your puppy to have a pet – there is no need for training other than house breaking, right? WRONG!
Whether destined for the show ring, the obedience/rally ring, hospital therapy work, or the living room couch, all Leonbergers will benefit from basic obedience.
The foundations started in Puppy K can be expanded through a well run basic obedience class. Young dogs will begin to learn to generalize commands beyond the simple restricted environment of a contained training room. Basic obedience should include helpful hints for navigating the real world with your dog, from walking politely down the sidewalk on leash to learning to sit and stay amid distractions. The recall (coming when called) is a very important aspect of a basic obedience class, and could very well save your dog’s life one day. There is usually less (if any) off leash play time in basic obedience, but socialization still continues in the form of learning to interact with other dogs while on leash. Many Basic classes also go over the requirements for the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and similar programs.
So, do not stop training – ever. Owning and training a dog is a lifelong commitment.
Training links for you to use at home:
Leash training https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/polite-leash-walking
Ideas for training at home https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPfEv_pKgm7caeV9V2BSR1ICZLlvuBuPv
Whether you take your Leonberger to a grooming shop or do your own grooming at home, it is important to remember that if you plan to show your Leonberger they must be shown with no trimming, sculpting or alteration of the coat, except for neatening of the feet. Natural appearance of the coat is essential to breed type. The Leonberger needs to be groomed on a regular basis. Grooming will reduce mats and tangles, remove debris and dead hair, stimulate the scalp and keep the Leonberger coat looking beautiful and healthy.
Professional Grooming
Having your Leonberger groomed by a grooming shop is convenient and easy. You can start taking your Leonberger to be groomed once he has completed all of his puppy vaccinations. Vaccinations are usually completed by six months old.
Home Grooming
Grooming at home is easy to learn and is a great opportunity to spend quality bonding time with your Leonberger. Taking care of your Leonberger’s coat, skin, and nails is very rewarding and he will delight in being praised, petted and given a treat for his good “sit,” “stand,” “down,” and “stay” behavior.
This chapter from the Leonberger Owner’s Guide explains grooming.
Grooming
