Vizslas are frequently mistaken for Redbone Coonhounds, Weimaraners and Rhodesian Ridgebacks with regards to appearance. Even though the visual appeal doesn’t necessarily influence a dog’s personality, it is still necessary for a Vizsla owner to find out every essential information about the breed for such facts can be used when trying to figure out Vizsla training approaches that would ideally suit his pet.

- The Vizsla is a medium-sized breed yet lean and have defined muscles. The standard for this breed requires golden-rust color in different shadings which can also be described as copper/brown, russet gold and dark sandy gold. The standard height for males is 22-25 inches and 21-24 inches for females. Males should weigh 45-66 pounds while females weigh 40-55 pounds.

- Unlike the physical appearance, the disposition of a Vizsla influences the training the same way it influences the dog-owner relationship. Vizslas are extremely high energy dogs thus they need to be given activities and exercise to keep them physically as well as mentally busy. Activities for Vizslas typically involve retrieving, be it on land or water, given their natural instincts as pointers and retrievers. On the other hand, rough treatment and harsh Vizsla training aren’t recommended for this breed taking into consideration their gentle, caring and highly affectionate temperament.

- The Vizsla is a healthy breed and may live up to 10-14 years however improper breeding could cause hip dysplasia, canine epilepsy and sebaceous adenitis. Health problems like hypothyroidism, dwarfism, lymphosarcoma as well as skin and food allergies can also be noticed among this breed. By knowing such medical issues, it’s not going to be too complicated for you to plan what training strategies to utilize. Furthermore, the health problems are also less likely to get worse since you know what activities to avoid and what to pursue.

Although the coat color or length may not be significant with regards to training, it still pays to learn those information particularly if you consider having your pet listed to a certain kennel club. Being aware of the size on the other hand can help you regulate your pet’s food intake to prevent weight problems.

Training a Vizsla to become a well-mannered dog you have been dreaming of should not be a pain in the neck nor it is supposed to cause frustration on your part. Training should be fun both for you and your dog. Furthermore, it is also one of the best ways to bond with your pet and know more about each other. It is during training that loyalty, wonderful friendship and great love grow. You might as well enjoy every moment of Vizsla training!

Chloe Brooks is crazy about Vizslas. By being a Vizsla owner for several years, she has discovered lots of Vizsla training ideas she now shares at her site dedicated to Vizsla training.

Even before they became domesticated, dogs have been utilized by people to aid them when hunting. Scent hounds work by following a scent trail while a sight hound stalk and pursue the prey. On the other hand, Retrievers find and give back shot game to the hunter while setters, spaniels and pointers locate and flush games for the hunter.

Several breeds are naturally hunter and only need minimal training while others are simply not suited to hunt regardless of how advanced the training they get. The Vizsla is one of the breeds regarded as natural hunter in which the ability can be polished through Vizsla training suitable for hunting dogs.

Training a hunting dog involves more effort, time and patience than when training the basic obedience. However, training for hunting begins exactly the same way as with any other training goals. Puppies need to be socialized well and must get used not just to the hunting locations but also in other areas like animal hospital, recreational areas and other public spaces especially if the dog were to be kept as house pet apart from hunting dog.

Considering that the basic obedience is the groundwork of all other canine tricks and commands, the potential hunting dog must master the most essential basic commands first prior to the hunting dog training itself. Commands like sit, come, stay, down and heel should be incorporated in the early part of obedience training followed by the combination of two basic commands such as “sit stay” and “down stay”. Other commands like “drop it”, “leave it” and “search” must be tackled also.

The next part of Vizsla training for hunting dogs is to help your canine distinguish a decoy from a real prey. Setting the decoy far from the canine before tossing the prey or dummy will help your dog identify the two in the long run.

In addition, it helps to train and practice frequently, daily if possible. Dogs learn by routine so if training and practice are added into your daily regimen, he is more likely to learn efficiently. To make training more effective and motivate positive behavior, give him reward each time he demonstrate such behavior. Soon enough, he’ll figure out that he gets rewards for that particular behavior hence will repeat it given the chance.

Amidst the training, always take into consideration to keep your furry friend in good shape. Be mindful enough not to over-train your pet and be sensitive enough with regards to his health condition. If you notice that he’s behaving strangely, consider possible health conditions and seek your vet’s recommendation right away.

All of the effort you exerted during Vizsla training will be worth it when you see your gentle-mannered Vizsla do well in the field come hunting time.

Chloe Brooks is mad about Vizslas. By being a Vizsla owner for many years, she has learned a lot of Vizsla training tips she now shares at her site dedicated to Vizsla training.

Do you want to know how to clicker train your Vizsla fast?

I get it… there’s nothing worse than an ‘out of control’ dog. It took me 12 months to find relief.

Whatever kind of dog you have, clicker dog training is one of the most effective and impressive methods for controlling and dictating a dog’s behaviour when trying to teach them basic commands. It takes very little time to master clicker training and with a well operated clicker, you can teach your dog nearly anything.

Clicker Training – The Theory Behind It

The concept behind clicker training is that you are training the dog to link the sound of the clicker – a strong, pointed sound that they can hear from 20+ yards away – with a particular command you give. The point of the training is to mark particular desirable behavior and then reward it with the sound of the clicker.

Training doesn’t start with the clicker. You’ve got to first teach your Vizsla that the clicker is a reward for good behavior. This can be achieved with a bag of treats and a simple 2 dollar clicker from your local pet store.

Should you follow this method?

* Your Vizsla will associate the clicker with ‘doing a good job’ and ‘receiving a treat’ only

* Verbal commands are given in a myriad of situations – this can cause confusion in your dog’s mind and therefore verbal commands are often not as strong as a clicker response

Clicker Training – The Method

There are 3 very easy steps to train your dog to respond to a clicker.

Step 1. Entice the behavior – ask your Vizsla to do something you desire. It can be sitting, heeling, lying down, or whatever other behaviours you are attempting to teach.

Step 2. After you’ve gotten them to perform their behaviour, mark it with a click.

Step 3. Give them a reward.

It generally takes only 2 or 3 markings before your dog learns the connection between the behavior and the click.

Once the dog has done the behaviour and received their reward, continue doing it to reinforce the behaviour as much as possible. You do not have to use treats every time. Praise and petting work just as well and can eventually replace the behaviour.

Clicker dog training works well because they will immediately respond, allowing you to reward them and immediately instill it in their minds. A verbal command will take time to get through.

Transitioning to a Command

Once your Vizsla has associated the new behaviour with the click – it is time to transition to a command.

Step 1. Say the command Step 2. Click Step 3. Give a Reward

Your dog will quickly learn to associate all 3 steps.

Ultimately, with good clicker training, your Vizsla will respond to oral cues and praise for behaviour without the need for treats.

As you might imagine, clicker canine training has a considerable number of applications. It can make coaching your dog far easier in some ways. With an easy, pointed command, you can mark and fortify almost any behavior.

The question is, can you change your Vizsla’s troublesome behaviours for good? Yes you can! Download my FREE e-book on How To STOP Your Vizsla’s Obedience Issues For Good!, and become the alpha dog. Check here for free reprint licence: Vizsla Clicker Training.

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