Training for Fila's?

[chuckorlando]

After reading so much on here you folks got me wanting to train my pups more. I aint sure to what extent or how I would go about it. She's house broken and walks on a leash fine. For the most part she'll stay right at my side when walking. I can set down a treat and keep her from snatching it up and she's pretty good with being easy taking something from your hand. I dont care so much about dog tricks. More just manures I guess.

We considered a trainer but I dont know how that would work being a fila. But aparantly some of you have ways because they do show these dogs. So any suggestions on books or a site.

I'd really like her to stay when told. Me and her play rough and she's real good at stopping with "enough", "ah", or "no" but sometimes you have to say it 2 or 3 times. But she only play's like this with me. Not my wife or son. So I guess I would like her to just stop what ever when she's told.

Yea I should have started a little younger here but these things dont really bother me so much. But you folks have spured me to try a diffrent approach on alot of levels here.

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

For behavior I would read anything by Suzanne Clothier. Her website is Flying Dog Press, great articles. I also love her book, Bones Would Rain From The Sky. I think behavioral books take you a long way with training, it helps to understand the dog. For training, I like Patricia McConnell and Ian Dunbar they are both great.

And while books are great, I would also suggest meeting with a trainer, or attending a class. Timing, tone, control is something that is best observed by a seasoned professional.

 

[chuckorlando]

Well I would love to have a trainer at least check her out. I just aint sure what kinda trainer I would look for for her. I will look at the site you mentioned and try and find some reading for me.

Over all I think she's pretty good. But she is hard headed. Well more like HARD HEADED. I think the 2 main things I would like is for her to stay when she's told if someone is around. And not try and be slick to get what she wants. Like stop when you say stop, but then wait for you to slip up.

Budda was great at playing asleep. He would lay there while you ate, eyes closed, look away, and he gotch ya. hahahaha

 

[zebraworks]

I am not an expert but this site has some good info: http://leerburg.com/#!vidpopup/8/ here is the site that has video and book resources for training: http://leerburg.com/

 

[Bryan Bondurant]

Training a Fila is not like training other dogs. I would be very resistant to dealing with anyone referring to themselves as a trainer outside of the breed because certain things do not translate from breed to breed. While some of the goals might remain the same, the path to getting there may be much different. The things that make a Fila a Fila are things most dog breeders and trainers do not want to deal with. The idea that the dog knows who is good or bad versus the handler telling the dog who is good or bad does not translate. Its a separate idea pushing much of the Fila training concepts into the the traditional Warehouse Dog ideas versus the reality of it being a tribe member loyal to the tribe or pack, a separate deal.

All off leash training is important and valid. This is where you start, what your goal should be. There is nothing better than KNPV when it comes to off leash training. While a Fila is not an ideal dog for KNPV much of the methods and goals are desirable. Few police handlers are even aware of KNPV much less can they work their K9s at this level. Its a very special thing, very special.

It is my belief that the Recall is single most important goal for Fila. The Recall is the highest level of training in KNPV and very few dogs outside of KNPV can do it, never the less it is a very important goal and it can save disaster if things go wrong in the real world.

If you don't know what a Recall, its a simple idea but most impossible achievement. Your dog takes off after something and in mid stride you Recall him, he stops, then comes back to you like nothing ever happened.


9 minutes 22 seconds shows a KNPV Recall, the off leash work is clearly demonstrated too.

[video=youtube;ogEHPSn6Ws4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogEHPSn6Ws4&feature=related[/video]

Failed Recall

[video=youtube;kVoVjjLojAc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVoVjjLojAc[/video]

The implications are clear,