Discipline is not about punishment; it is a tool for growth and well-being. It benefits both humans and dogs by promoting fitness, health, and stronger relationships. Without discipline, the world would lack order and harmony. In many ways, discipline is the foundation for survival.
Kuvasz are highly intelligent. They will react to your voice. You should know 3 different voices when training dogs: Command voice: To tell the dog to do something(Not ask); Reward voice: Fun upbeat voice to let dog know you are happy; Correction/Discipline Voice: Harsh voice/sound to let dog know you are unhappy with their action.
*Scheduled Feeding – do not free feed! This method creates leadership. The leader always provides for the followers.
*Don’t coddle the animals. No baby talking ever, it shows we are weak.
*Don’t feed from the table. A leader would not share his food.
*Make them work for everything they get! Nothing for free.
*Wait at the Door Exercise – prevents Door Dashing and establishes leadership! The leader always goes through the door first.
*Never give affection whenever your kuvasz is: aggressive, fearful, anxious, possessive, dominant, whining, begging etc. Affection only comes after exercise and feeding or good behavior and only when you offer it.
*You need to be a calm leader with your Kuvasz. Dogs perceive loud, excited, or emotional humans as weak leaders. You need to be quietly in control.
*You have to trust your Kuvasz in order for him to trust you back. Kuvasz feel humans scared, nervous, or angry energy and take it as weakness. They need to know that you are going to take care of all their needs for them.
Exercise
Exercise is the key to a well mannered kuvasz. Know your kuvasz’s energy level and make sure they have exercise everyday. Kuvasz energy level will tend to change over time. Treadmills are a great source of exercise for many busy people. An exercised kuvasz is a good dog. IF a kuvasz is too hyper, it can turn normal behaviors into fixations or built up anxiety. Exercise calms the mind. You can also mentally exercise your kuvasz as well as physically. Here are some games to mentally and/or physically challenge your kuvasz (a kuvasz will get bored of game if it is to too repetitive. Be willing to change up the game):
Hide N Seek Game – teach your kuvasz the name of a few toys and hide them – this is a good way to keep the mind occupied and burn off extra energy. Or have someone hold your kuvasz and you go and hide, call their name once until they find you. Reward and play with them when they do.
Chase it Toy – Great for exercise and for teaching to settle down immediately. Have them chase the toy, get it, drop it, then sit or down to start the game all over again. Eventually have your kuvasz sit or down for longer periods of time to teach control.
Toss it – you can toss dry kibble in the yard, and your kuvasz will take time to find all the kibble – exercises your dog’s brain and body while they look for all the treats.
Fetch should be done with you in control. Start with a sit stay, throw toy, send them to fetch, recall back to you, say drop it, reward with treat, and start over.
Focus Exercise
Have about 20 treats ready before you begin. You can do this while watching TV, getting ready in the morning, or even when you are on the phone with a friend. Do the following: Wait for the dog to make Eye Contact with you. Every time this happens say “YES” or “click” clicker and pop 1 Treat into the dog’s mouth. Wait again for the dog to make Eye Contact, say “YES” or click immediately, and follow up with a treat. Repeat this process until your treats are gone. You should find the dog looking at you more and more often, and for longer periods of time. Please do this only about 20 times – Then add their name. Say name, when they look, reward. keeping it FUN the whole