Samoyed Training

There are many different opinions regarding training your Samoyed. Some Samoyed owners say that Samoyeds are too stubborn. Training them can be difficult because of this. There are also very free-spirited and get bored very easily. It is one of the reasons why they are difficult to train.

If you have some experience training dogs, then you can consider training your Samoyed yourself. However, if you are new to this, you might want to hire a professional. Another good option is to take your Samoyed to an obedience class. This way, they will get to socialize with other dogs as well.

If you are planning to train your Samoyed yourself, a few things to remember is to be stern but not mean. You also should remember that you are the one in control of the situation. Samoyeds are smart canines. They know how to manipulate their owners into getting what they want. Be mindful of their tricks, and especially do not fall prey to their adorable faces.

When is the best time to start training my Samoyed?

Training any dog should start when they are young. When Samoyeds grow older, it is more difficult to control them, and certain habits have already set in. The best time to start training your Samoyed is when they are seven to eight weeks old. At this age, your Samoyed puppy is old enough to understand and grasp commands. Try not to wait until the juvenile age (around six months and above) to train your Samoyed. The longer you wait, the more challenging it will be to train your dog. Since dogs acquire their behavior from their experiences, delaying their training may result in more time to learn the tricks.

Puppies can learn the basic training commands like ‘sit, stay and down’ by seven weeks. Most breeders will tell you that they start training their dogs by the time they can see and walk. So starting when they are young is the right choice for your Samoyed. That way, any bad habits that they have caught can be trained out of their behavior.

How to make Samoyed puppy training easier? Basic training

Puppy training can be quite a difficult task. Most owners tend to blame the puppy for the difficulty in training. However, you have to understand that it is a puppy is following its instincts. The best way to train is to let your puppy try out different things. You can help them in understanding what is wrong and what is right.

Some useful tips that will help you train your Samoyed puppy easier are as follows:

1. Controlling your puppy’s movement.

   The first is always to control your puppy’s movement. Try to crate train them at the earliest. If puppies are let loose in the house, they tend to develop bad behavior like destructive chewing and uncontrollable excitement. There are also high chances of them answering the call of nature indoors since they are not potting trained yet. It is also dangerous to let them play around unsupervised since they might eat something toxic. By controlling your puppy’s movement in the house, you help them develop the habit of staying calm, especially indoors.
   You can slowly begin to lose your puppy in the house when it understands the house rules. Make sure that your puppy is 100% housebroken before letting them run free in the house. Being housebroken means that your dog knows the proper place to urinate and defecate.
   Controlling your puppy’s movement until they are at least ten months old will help them learn the house rules. Do this by putting them in a crate or wire pen when they do not obey. You can also restrict their movement by limiting access to some rooms in your house. Leave them in one room and slowly let them begin to explore elsewhere after some time.

2. Teaching your puppy to be calm.

   Another essential thing is teaching your puppy how to stay calm. A puppy can only be trained if they are calm and controlled. They will not listen to your commands if they are hyperactive. Most of the time, people get frustrated when their puppies are not listening to them because they are too excited. Teaching your puppy to stay in their part of the house or room will help them build patience and calmness. Try to restrict all over-excitement and hyper behavior kindly. Try to teach them the basic commands like sit and stay. It will help them develop patience.

3. Stick to a training schedule.
   Select a training schedule and stick to it. Most owners would only teach their Samoyed puppy the commands and tricks that are relevant to them. It is essential to adhere to a training schedule so that your puppy will learn discipline. The training you give is crucial in determining your puppy’s behavior with you and other people as well. This is why Samoyed puppy training should be focused not only on tricks but also on the overall conduct.
4. Use the balance technique.

   The best technique for training a puppy is the balance technique. This method mainly comprises rewarding good behavior and correcting bad behavior. Samoyed dogs learn through experience. If you reward them for the right things, they understand that and try to do it more often. They will also understand that doing something considered bad behavior will lead to punishment. Keep in mind that the punishment should never be harsh. Try to punish them by doing something they do not enjoy like a 15-minute time out.

5. Take up the leadership role.
   Leadership is also something important while training your Samoyed puppy. You need to be the one in control and not the other way round. In order for your puppy to listen to you, they need to trust and respect you. This will only happen if you take up a leadership role. You need to be consistent, calm and confident for your puppy to trust you fully.

Puppy training schedule

The best way to train your puppy to get the best result is to follow a training schedule. Usually, a training schedule should start from when the puppy is seven weeks old. Following a training schedule will make sure that your puppy is disciplined in all corners of your house.

Given below is a Samoyed puppy training schedule you could follow:

• Seven weeks old
  

  Samoyed training usually starts by seven weeks old. At this age, training mainly pertains to the normal everyday life. The first thing we recommend starting with is their food habits. Always keep a designated spot for their food bowl. Also, try to have a strict routine to feed them. As humans have separate rooms for eating, sleeping, bathing, etc. the same goes for dogs. Try to keep certain spots for certain activities like a separate spot for grooming, eating, and sleeping. It will help them associate these activities with the particular spots in the house.

  For example, when you are feeding a puppy, make sure you bring him to the kitchen. Always keep his food in the same place, so every time you grab it, your puppy will know it is feeding time. When they start to get hyperactive and excited about seeing the food, make sure you calm them down. Else, they will associate excitement with getting food and will start jumping around and barking every time they see food. Make sure you put down their bowls in the same spot every time. Consistency is vital when it comes to dogs. They learn better when things are organized and structured.

  At seven weeks old, you can also start teaching your puppy certain commands. Try to keep them simple with ‘yes’ and ‘no’ at first. Also, this is a crucial time for your puppy to learn to control their bladder. At this age, they are still considered infants, so they do not expect that they have proper control. However, you can begin to housebreak them, starting from the moment they reach home.

  Another essential training process to begin at this time is crate training. Many people think it is cruel to lock your puppy up in a crate. However, they do not understand that a crate is not jail for your dog but a place where they can relax. When you begin to crate train, your Samoyed puppy will find it uncomfortable. They will most probably bark and cry all night long. Eventually, they will understand that the crate is their own space. Crate training is also crucial when you cannot supervise the puppy 24 × 7. They may get severely injured if you leave them unsupervised. They may chew on electric wires or eat something poisonous.

  As time passes, you will see that your dog will enter their crate on their own. Remember always to remove their collar while they are in the crate. This is because the collar may get stuck on the wires and accidentally strangulate your puppy. If you require more information on crate training, check out this post.

• 8 weeks old
  

  By the 8th week, you should be teaching your puppy how to stay calm indoors. It can be done by not letting them run around the house, not letting them bark unnecessarily, not allowing jumping, etc. A calm puppy is much easier to train than an overexcited, hyperactive dog.

  Try to teach them to stay still while grooming. It is imperative for Samoyed puppies, especially since they have to be groomed or brushed regularly.

• Ten weeks old
  

  At week 10, you can start teaching your puppy how to behave during walks. Teach them to walk without you having to tug on their leash. Also, try to teach them to wait for your permission to enter open doors and gates. By this time, puppies can understand commands more quickly. So, you can teach them to listen when you call them and make sure they come.

  Throughout the training journey, you should continue teaching them patience and calmness. Always correct them for bad behavior, like playing roughly, attacking something or someone, nibbling objects, etc. It is usual for them to behave this way, but that does not mean they should continue to behave that way.

• 12 weeks old
  

  Week 12 is when you can start training your puppy to control their impulses. This can be done by teaching the basic ‘sit and stay’. Make sure that they stay still when you tell them to until you ask to move. These exercises will be very beneficial to develop their personality. It will also teach them patience and self-control.

• 16 weeks old
  

  By 16 weeks old, your puppy should learn how to go on walks. This means that they will only focus on you and learn to ignore everything around. You can teach them how to greet other people and dogs they might meet. It will be good to help them socialize as well.

  Training a Samoyed puppy is one of the most crucial things you have to learn to do when you get one. A well-trained puppy is easier to handle, and this makes owning a puppy a much more delightful experience.

Indoor training

 Most of Samoyed indoor training is about basic things like eating, sleeping, grooming, etc. All these indoor training exercises also contribute a lot to the dog’s discipline. Indoor training is also called house training. Housetraining involves preparation before you even receive your puppy. Make sure that your house is clean and safe space for your puppy. Just as you would prepare for a baby, the same way you need to prepare for a Samoyed puppy both mentally and physically. Make sure you remove all the things that could hurt your puppy like sharp objects, toxic material, etc.

 Another important aspect of indoor training is housebreaking. Training your puppy to take care of its needs only in certain areas will be difficult at first, but possible. Here are some methods you could apply to make the job easier.

 A dog most likely answers the call of nature after sleeping, eating, drinking, and playing. Make sure you take them outside after all these activities. Immediately after they wake up, carry them outside so that they will not have the chance to pee inside the house. Always remember to reward or praise them after they do their duty outside. This will encourage them to try to pee outside.

 After eating or drinking, make sure you take them out 5 minutes later. Also, keep their last feeding time 2-3 hours before they sleep. This will make sure that they do not wake up at night to pee. The same should be done after drinking. Take their water bowl away 2-3 hours before they sleep unless it is a very hot day.

 If you are using a crate, make sure you take the puppy out right before sleeping and immediately after they wake up. A good tip to make sure your puppy stays in the crate without fuss is to let them have a little exercise before sleeping. This will tire them out and help them fall asleep better. Repeat it after taking them out of the crate as well. Their bodies may get tired after being in the crate the whole night. Exercising them will help get their bodies and blood moving.

Try to use certain words or phrases to help your puppy understand when it is time to take care of their needs. You can use phrases like ‘go potty’ or any other word to help your Samoyed understand what to do when you say it.

 Another thing that needs training in Samoyeds is their barking. Even though Samoyeds are very intelligent, they can be very vocal. Keep this trait under your control, especially if you live in an apartment building. They bark unnecessarily when they are excited and hyperactive. Use words like ‘quite’ or ‘shush’ and make them understand the meaning of these words. A well-trained Samoyed will know when they need to bark and keep quiet when they are supposed to.

Outdoor training

 Outdoor training mainly consists of being able to control your Samoyed when they are outside. It includes chasing after animals, digging and scavenging soil, getting distracted by birds, etc. When going for a walk or run, make sure that you are always the center of our Samoyed attention. If your Samoyed has mastered the art of staying calm, these distractions will not be a problem.

 Signing up your Samoyed for dog training classes will help them socialize better. These classes are beneficial for your Samoyed, especially when it comes to meeting people and other dogs in the streets. They will learn not to jump or bark at other people and dogs, which they are bound to do if not properly trained. Training your Samoyed how to greet people is a vital task. It only happens if your dog has good social skills.

 You especially do not want them to react to children when they are walking or playing in a park. The same goes for other dogs- you must train your Samoyed to get used to strangers. Teaching and exposing them to different people is the only way you can help your Samoyed socialize. They can do this in certain classes, which are usually like playschool for your puppy.

Why is it difficult to train my Samoyed?

 Many people claim that training a Samoyed puppy is more difficult in comparison to other dog breeds. It is partially true. Samoyeds may be difficult to train for a few reasons, but they are also a very smart dog breed. Many Samoyeds compete in dog shows for both races and obedience.    However, suppose you are planning to show you Samoyed. In that case, it is best to have them trained by a professional and sign them to basic obedience school. It will help them get the skills they require to become a show dog.

 But if you want to train you Samoyed at home yourself, it is also a do-able task. There is a list of certain traits of a Samoyed that make it difficult to train. Keeping these characteristics in mind and being prepared for them can help you train them more efficiently.

• The first and most crucial trait to tackle is their stubbornness. Samoyeds are very stubborn dogs, and stubborn dogs are very difficult to train. There will be times when your Samoyed is just not in a mood to listen to you. When it happens, it is necessary to keep in mind that vocal encouragement is crucial. Encourage your Samoyed by using positive affirmations to help them listen to what you are commanding them to do.
• Samoyed gets very easily bored. When you teach them to be calm and patient, they may just get bored and walk away. It comes from the fact that Samoyeds are very active dogs. They need to move and work constantly. It makes it difficult for them to stay in one place. It is especially tricky when you are trying to teach them to sit and stay.
• Samoyeds used to be sled dogs. This means that they are used to roaming. Their sense of freedom can sometimes disrupt their training. If it seems like their freedom is at risk, then they may do something about that. Especially when it comes to crate training, these dogs may take it as a risk to their freedom.
• To answer the question of ‘are Samoyeds easy to train’, you need to know who is asking. For a first-time pet owner, Samoyeds are definitely a difficult dog breed to train. But for an experienced person, it may not be that difficult if they know how to handle their stubbornness.

How to train your Samoyed commands?

 To train your Samoyed commands, the first thing to keep in mind is their short attention span. These dogs get bored very easily, so keep your training sessions as short as possible. Also, keep in mind to always use treats and shower them with praise when they are succeeding in doing the task.

Teaching your Samoyed to sit

Teaching your Samoyed puppy to sit is one of the basic command a dog should learn. Use their favorite treats as rewards to encourage them to learn quicker. Start by placing them in the corner of a room where they get support on all sides. Hold a treat above their nose and telling them to sit. Support them from under their chin to make sure they do not fall forward. You need to help stabilize them for the first few tries as they try to balance themselves.

When your Samoyed has started getting used to this position, try to place them with their backs against the wall. Again you will have to support them from under their chin, but slowly and steadily, they will eventually get the hang of it. You should keep trying to remove the support slowly. Use pillows or a chair to lessen the support they are getting. Eventually, when they have mastered the art to sit with the least amount of support, you can just place them on the open floor. Hold the treat up and command your Samoyed to sit.

Always repeat the word ‘sit’ and make it very clear so your Samoyed remembers it. Remember to keep encouraging and rewarding them, even if they do not get it. Also, try to train your Sammy in short sessions and do not force them to stay for long periods of time.

There are many other commands you can teach your Samoyed following this process. After mastering this command, teach them to stay in that position for as long as you tell them to. Hold out your hand while they are sitting and slowly move away while repeatedly telling them to stay. These are the basic things you Samoyed can learn. Besides these, you can teach them to crawl, recognize scents, wave, and countless other commands.

Related questions

1. Can I train a Samoyed myself?

It is very much possible to train your Samoyed yourself, especially if you have this experience. It is not suggested to train your Samoyed yourself if they are your first dog. As much as they are intelligent canines, they are also very stubborn, making it difficult to train them. Unless you know how to handle their stubbornness, try to get a professional trainer who knows how to handle this breed. Training any dog requires you to pay close attention to their behavior. There will be some behavior traits in the beginning that you may not notice if you are not experienced. These traits may get worse as your puppy grows. This is why it would be best to attend obedience training for both you and your puppy.

2. How to choose a good trainer for my Samoyed?

The first and most important trait a good trainer should have is experience. Never let an inexperienced person train your dog as this will not lead anywhere. Make sure your trainer is certified and have the necessary certification from the right organizations to do the job. Always meet your trainer before you hire them. Make sure that your trainer is friendly with both you and your puppy. This is why you should find a trainer you get along with since you will be spending some time together.

You know your trainer is good when they try to include the members of the family while training. At first, they will only let the adults take part in the training process since they need to discipline the dog. Later they can start including the children in training sessions. Remember that your trainer will not only teach your dog but will teach you how to handle them properly. The most important thing is that your trainer should be someone you trust.

3. How often should I train my Samoyed?

The time necessary for your Samoyed to become fully-trained differs from dog to dog. It depends on the amount of time you put into the training. If you are training your Samoyed for a minimum 20 minutes a day, it will not take long for your Samoyed to be fully-trained. It also depends on how productively you are training and how frequent. For the first few days, when they learn new commands, train them every day so that they do not forget the basics. Even though Samoyeds are intelligent dogs, it takes time for them to learn and retain commands. The more frequent you train them, the better. However, do not overwork them as they will get bored, and the training will not be useful. It is suggested that training session should never exceed 45 minutes.