Best training method for CSW

[Rona]

Originally Posted by slarman

Just wondering what the best training method is for a CSW?

I've recently read an interview with Colonel Hartl who designed and carried out the first experiments that led to the development of the CZW breed, surpervised the training of the first hybrids, and later - CZWs and assessed the methods and techniques against various criteria. He claims that food training is most effective for the Czechs. First CzWs were taught tracing (is this the right word?) by showing them food which they were able to lick, or eat only after following it sucessfully for longer and longer distances. Practice showed that best training results were obtained in the morning and at night (which reflects thewolf's natural activity pattern).

Another specific feature of CZW is that these dogs hate long drills. They learn much faster than other breeds, but very quicky get tired and bored. Best results are obtained by frequent, though very short "lessons".
Several people who presently own CzW puppies and on the Polish forum share their experiences with training them confirm this. When attending dogs' schools they quickly find out that CZWs grasp in no time what the trainer wants them to do, and soon see no point in repeating the tasks again and again with other dogs. It seems that food (the pragmatic factor) is crucial and special programme should be designed for the CzW.

My experience is limited, but while training Tina I have always obeyed the principles described above. I'm not a dog trainer and I discovered them just through observation and common sense. What's more, she is almost 12 now, and we can still teach her new things. This winter, for example, she learnt to take food from the required hand. Now she easily obeys the commands "left hand" or "right hand" and does it 90% correctly. I also discovered that when she learned something, she remembered it forever, even without repeating for several months or even years. I was really surprised to read in the interview with Hartl that this was typical for all CzW.
The problem with CzW is that one can teach them to obey, but the owner always knows when the dog does not feel like obeying... Their "faces" and body language are so expressive, that the lack of enthusiasm cannot be missed. I like this trait myself, because it makes the dog more of a partner.

I described only the main principles. There are many people who have experiences with traing their CzW obedience, agility, etc. more "professionally". For example Ori has great results with training Amber. Maybe they'll be able to give you more "professional" details.
P.S. You can find great pictures of Amber's training here:
http://www.jantarowa.wataha.wolfdog.org/zdjecia3.htm