The Airedale Terrier, often referred to as the 'King of Terriers', is a medium to large breed renowned worldwide for its impressive energy levels and intellect. This breed's ancestry traces back to hunting rodents, a task that demanded acute focus and independence. Even though their roots lay in hard work, they are incredibly warm and loving and make for exceptional family pets. However, due to their high energy levels, regular exercise is a necessity. Naturally, this begs the question - when does an Airedale Terrier begin to mellow?
Notably, Airedale Terriers start showing signs of calming down around their second birthday. For owners, this breed's adolescence, particularly between 6-24 months, can prove challenging due to their playfully rambunctious and potentially destructive behaviours, especially when deprived of adequate exercise and training. To circumvent possible mischief, it's wise to avoid leaving an Airedale alone at home, where they could give into feelings of loneliness or boredom.
In general, dogs exhibit quieter behaviour from the age of 1-1.5 years. However, Airedale Terriers mature a bit later, emphasising the importance of diligent training. Known for their playful spirit and love for running, their intelligence can lead them to become quickly jaded. In light of this, we'll discuss the essential role of training in an Airedale Terrier's life and also provide some guidance for first-time dog parents. Remember, any perceived 'naughty' behaviours are often a result of training omission or inadequacy rather than the dog's inherent characteristics. When training is taken seriously, it can immensely enhance the relationship between you and your Airedale Terrier.
Training Advice
It's crucial to instil the habits of tranquillity and follower-ship in your Airedale Terrier right from their puppyhood through thorough training. Doing so will curtail any perpetuation of their innate high energy and exuberance into their later life. Otherwise, these characteristics may continue unabated.
The upkeep of an Airedale Terrier demands considerable commitment. It's recommended that you establish a set routine for training early on, and invest in a diverse range of physical and cognitive exercises to keep your Airedale Terrier stimulated throughout the day.
Investing time and effort in the training and care of an Airedale Terrier can result in a remarkable family pet. Early training is key to shaping obedient and loyal dogs, allowing you to assert your position as the alpha in their pack structure. Although Airedales are known for their independent streak, with suitable training, they can transform into dedicated and delightful companions, often displaying a great sense of humour.
Is it challenging to train an Airedales Terrier?
If getting an Airedale Terrier is on your mind, prepare to design a suitable training schedule coupled with adequate socialisation to sculpt a well-rounded temperament. These clever dogs will need to learn and understand good manners, particularly following their owner's commands obediently. Altough training these clever creatures isn't inherently difficult, it requires a well thought-out approach and a consistent routine. They tend to pick up on commands swiftly and are quite receptive to your body language during training. It's important to remember their unique personality traits, which could pose challenges especially for those new to dog parenting.
Personality
- Highly Energetic
- Alert
- Confident
- Fearless
- Friendly
- Independent
- Intelligent
- Playful
- Protective
- Stoic
- Strong herding abilities
- Stubborn
Sense Stimulation
Airedales Terriers have an excellent sense of smell. As these dogs were primarily bred as hunting dogs, their noses play a powerful and essential role in their life. So, if you want to stimulate Airedales Terriers, you can devise tracking games or other scent-related activities to keep the training sessions exciting and exciting all along.
Training Obstacles
Airedales Terriers are independent, courageous, and loyal. All these features of their personality make these dogs attractive to their owners. However, all of these qualities can also create obstacles in their training. You cannot train an Airedales Terrier properly with the standard training method used for other dog breeds. Dog parents should make the training schedule of the Airedales Terriers separately depending on the dog’s personality and behaviouristic traits. If you apply the proper technique for training, you can overcome any training obstacles.
Stubbornness
While dealing with the Airedales Terriers, you have to keep in mind that these dogs are independent and have a mind of their own. That is what makes these dogs challenging to handle for first-time dog owners.
While training these dogs, you will get to know how stubborn your dog is. There is no doubt that you will face moments of frustration, surprise, and disbelief while training your Airedales Terrier dog. However, if you can retain your patience and be consistent with the training session, you will complete their training successfully.
To properly train the Airedales Terriers, you need to think about their abilities and characteristics first. Once you do that, it would be far easier for you to find ways to help you offer proper training to your dog. Since they have so many different personalities, some will be stronger than others, making you adjust your training to suit the dog. For instance, a more stubborn dog will need patience, and as a dog owner, you need to understand when they are stubborn, not to push them into any reactive behaviour and lock heads.
Consistency
Consistency is critical when it is it comes to training Airedales Terriers. You need to decide upon your role first before you try to train. Always remember that these dogs are intelligent and have watchful eyes. If you let your strictness and patients go for even a minute, they will notice that and try to reap its benefits.
The best way to train Airedales Terriers is to write down all the unacceptable behaviour first. It would be best if you never let this inappropriate behaviour go without giving some correction to your dog. Understand that there should not be any scope of consideration while training your Airedales Terriers. If you become even a bit inconsistent with the training schedule, your dog will think of it as a rule and will not follow your future instructions.
Conclusion
All in all, you need to understand these independent, headstrong, and free-spirited dogs first to train them properly. Know that Airedales Terriers can also learn from your behaviour. For example, if you keep your shoe rack open and the dog chews on your shoe, you should not punish it. During the training session, shouting or any other form of aggression will not be suitable for an Airedale Terrier. You can give your dog some time out or scold them calmly.
If you are a new inexperienced dog parent of an Airedale Terrier and are struggling to complete the proper basic training commands, such as sit, stay, place, leave it or heel, you should take your dog once or twice a week for training sessions local to you. Most of the time, it’s the dog parents that need the training, not the dog.
