The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a solid working dog breed that needs extensive training and regular exercise to thrive. Early socialization and continued training beyond puppyhood are extremely important for this highly energetic dog, who was bred for strength and endurance.
Here are the most important steps to take when training your Catahoula:
-
Give them the good work
Catahoula Leopard Dogs were bred to work. These dogs thrive when given the opportunity to train and learn new skills. Catahoulas like to be busy, and if your lifestyle doesn’t allow your dog to do the natural work that catahoulas do – hunting, working livestock and guarding property – involve your dog in hunting trials, tracking training and trails, scent work dog training, agility and obedience. If Catahoulas don’t have a job to do, they are likely to become destructive or display other negative behaviors such as excessive barking out of boredom.
-
Start socialization training early
Socialization should start at an early age. This is a very important developmental period in a puppy’s life from about 5 to 16 weeks old, where he discovers new things about the world. The positive and negative experiences puppies have during this time can influence their temperament and behavior for the rest of their lives. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a natural watchdog and may have a predisposition to be wary and wary of strangers. Socialization helps manage these behaviors.
Give your Catahoula puppy positive experiences with diverse groups of people and other dogs and animals. Catahoulas have a high prey drive, so even with good early socialization and training, they may not be safe around small animals, such as cats. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are a territorial breed and are very protective of their families. Even with early socialization, they are likely to be wary of strangers and aren’t always social with other dogs.
-
Be consistent with positive reinforcement training
Just because these dogs have a strong drive to work doesn’t mean they should be treated with a heavy hand or a harsh training approach. All dog breeds benefit from training that uses consistent positive reinforcement training approaches, which use treats, toys, and games to encourage and reward good behavior. Behavior that has been rewarded is more likely to be repeated. Catahoulas bond deeply with their families, and consistency in training and expectation helps these dogs succeed.
-
Work with a professional dog trainer
Don’t skip puppy class! Basic obedience classes can help you and your dog develop a common training language, help your pup navigate distractions, and train on the right paw. Likewise, if you already have a Catahoula Leopard Dog and are struggling with training, it’s never too late to get help from a dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement training approaches. An experienced trainer will help you better understand and solve the problems you are having with your dog.
How Big Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs?
They are medium to medium sized strong dogs, weighing 50 to 95 pounds, with the males being larger. According to the National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas, males stand 22 to 26 inches tall and females 20 to 24 inches.
What is a Catahoula Leopard Dog? Here are 5 fun facts:
- Catahoulas were first bred in Louisiana to be versatile working dogs
- They became the official state dog of Louisiana in 1979.
- Catahoulas are powerful dogs, bred for their strength and endurance.
- They were originally used to guard properties and houses, work with livestock, and hunt and tree.
- Catahoulas are very energetic dogs and will generally not be happy living in an apartment. They don’t do well to be home alone all day.
For more information on the appearance and temperament of the Catahoula Leopard Dog, visit our breed page.
