How to train a Shar Pei

Although training a Shar Pei can be an exciting journey, it also presents certain difficulties of its own. These dogs, who are recognizable by their unique wrinkled faces and serene disposition, possess a strong will and a hint of stubbornness. To successfully train someone, you must first understand their personality.

Socialization should come first. Early exposure to a variety of people, animals, and situations will help your Shar Pei become less timid and more adaptive. Positive experiences during their early years can set the stage for a well-rounded adult dog because this breed can be a little aloof.

In terms of training methods, regularity is essential. To promote positive behavior, use techniques such as praise and treats. Be patient, as Shar Peis might respond more slowly than other dog breeds. To keep their attention, keep training sessions brief and enjoyable.

Lastly, create a schedule. Dogs like consistency, so having a set routine will make your Shar Pei feel safe and secure. It’s crucial to provide your dog with regular exercise and mental stimulation because a tired dog behaves well. You can train your Shar Pei to be an excellent companion with love and commitment.

Shar Pei: features of the breed and its psychology

Shar Pei dogs have a strong sense of self and are quite stubborn and willful despite their adorable appearance. Because Shar Peis can be unpredictable, many dog handlers observe that it can be challenging to raise the perfect pet and companion out of them. Members of this breed are capable of withstanding games and innocent child nagging, but they may lose their cool over petty issues the following day.

Furthermore, Shar Pei are more likely to exhibit interspecies aggression; they frequently engage in dog fights with other dogs and have the ability to ruin expensive items or repairs in their owner’s apartment.

The Shar Pei’s adorable appearance is misleading.

Because of this, a Shar Pei owner should try their hardest to teach and socialize their puppy as soon as possible, acclimating it to social norms and rules as well as familiarity with people and other dogs. People need to realize that Shar Peis are more than just toys—beyond their adorable appearance and endearing wrinkles is a real fighter! Shar Pei are courageous and fearless dogs that can occasionally cause a lot of trouble for their owners. They also have a developed intellect and the capacity for independent decision-making.

A person with a strong character and plenty of free time, which will be spent talking to the dog, should consider the Shar Pei breed. Shar Pei breed members are sensitive to their family members and exhibit intense sadness when left alone. Shar Pei are also very attached to the person who raises them from an early age. One more characteristic that sets Sharpees apart is that they are intimate and uncomfortable around strangers, so training should only be done by the owner.

A Shar Pei may encounter difficulties if it escapes from its owner.

However, a dog owner should be ready to collaborate with a dog trainer because training a Shar Pei necessitates direction and an outsider’s perspective from experience. The expert will explain the fundamentals of training to the individual and make sure the process is accurate and seamless. The Shar Pei won’t become perceptive and obedient until it has gradually learned all that its owner expects of it.

Video – Shar Pei. All about the breed

Why do you need a dog trainer?

For someone who has never owned a Shar Pei before, the best course of action is to train the dog under the supervision of a dog trainer. This is because you have to learn how to properly interact with the pet, gain its respect, and earn its trust in addition to teaching it to obey commands. As a result, the dog will learn the teams not just by heart but also by understanding that its owner is happy when it succeeds.

As a result, a professional dog handler who is knowledgeable about dog psychology will be able to rectify errors and instruct the owner on how to respond to various behaviors from the pet. The dog training ground’s instructor observes the dog and owner at work and is always willing to make suggestions for how to make the training process better. Additionally, the novice will learn from the dog handler how to praise or show disapproval, as well as what the dog is capable of and is not.

Training with a dog handler in the classroom will increase its efficacy.

When to start training a Shar Pei?

As we’ve already mentioned, you must instill behavioral norms in the puppy from the moment he enters the house. However, training and education are not the same thing. It is implied by training that the dog will be able to follow a variety of commands and learn how to respond to different triggers. From the first moment the puppy and owner meet, the pet must be taught everyday and life skills. These include how to respond to nicknames and strict instructions, how to comprehend the family’s way of life, how to use a leash and collar, how to go potty, go for walks, and play games.

A puppy can begin training as soon as it is able to walk.

In short, the mother bitch is the one who initiates the training process for her pups, making sure they stay inside the "nest" and don’t fight or make noise. Some dogs start taking their grown puppies outside into the yard, or they teach their babies to use a diaper as a toilet. The owner only needs to carry on with the education that the mother dog started.

Much later in life, at four or five months old, when the puppy can focus and has some perseverance, training is introduced to the dog. The Shar Pei is not an energetic breed, but you can’t expect too much from a small puppy.

Four months is the ideal age for obedience classes.

Understanding a Shar Pei’s distinct temperament and needs is essential to training them successfully. These devoted but independent dogs need a methodical, patient approach that strikes a balance between gentle guidance and positive reinforcement. Owners can eventually assist their Shar Pei in thriving both at home and in social situations by establishing a regimented schedule and strengthening the bond through stimulating activities.

Basic training of a Shar Pei puppy

The puppy should know from an early age what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It’s also important to set boundaries and rules that the dog cannot cross from the very beginning. You must act gently but firmly in order to keep the baby from becoming stressed. What then must you teach the puppy?

Table 1. The puppy’s basic skill set

Skill Description
Reaction to a nickname The puppy needs to be accustomed to the name. To do this, the baby needs to have only pleasant associations with the nickname. You need to call the dog"s name in a joyful voice, and, having achieved a reaction (the puppy looks into the eyes, comes up) – loudly praise him, caress him, treat him with a treat.
Accustoming to a place for eating You cannot allow the puppy to carry food all over the apartment. In advance, two bowls are placed in a place convenient for the owner – for water and food. The dog is fed only in a place designated for this. If the baby has not finished eating and went about his business, the food must be removed. Feed the puppy from your hands or it is strictly forbidden to treat from the table!
Accustoming to a sleeping place Family members should immediately agree: is it permissible for the puppy to sleep on beds, sofas or armchairs. If the answer to this question is negative, you need to prepare a cozy soft bed or cage for the baby, and stop all his attempts to climb onto the soft furniture. Important: when the puppy is in his place, you can not scold him.
Toilet training outside Up to six months, the puppy can miss when doing toilet business in the house. You do not need to scold him for this. A small puppy is taken outside 5-7 times a day, waiting until he goes to the toilet. Each time, the baby needs to be praised for the correct actions, encouraged with play and a treat. Soon the dog will understand how to behave and learn to be patient.
Introduction to the collar and leash So that the equipment does not cause embarrassment to the dog on a walk, you need to introduce the puppy to it in advance. For the first time, you can buy a thin soft collar and put it on the dog during the day. When the baby stops paying attention to the accessory, you can start attaching a leash to the collar and “walking” the dog around the house.
Reaction to the “No” command Every day, the baby will perform actions that are undesirable for the owner: biting hands during play, trying to chew shoes or other household items, barking at the doorbell. The puppy must understand that he is doing the wrong thing. To do this, it is enough to say “No” or “No” sharply and loudly, and immediately switch the baby to another action, for example, replace the shoe that the dog is chewing with a toy.
Accustoming to hygiene procedures From the first days, the puppy should calmly relate to such manipulations as cutting claws, examining and cleaning ears, oral hygiene. Shar Pei, in addition, need care for skin folds, so you need to accustom the baby to such procedures right away. Even if the dog"s ears do not need cleaning, and the baby teeth are pleasing with their whiteness, the owner should examine the animal several times a week and imitate care.
Basic obedience training You can start practicing "obedience" in a playful way. For example, learn the command "Come to me" – for this you need to joyfully call the puppy by name, and then add the command. If the puppy comes up, you need to praise him: "Well done, come to me" (repeat the command to reinforce) and treat him with a treat. You can teach any other commands in the same way. The main thing is not to overtire or frighten the puppy.

Astute Shar Peis rapidly ascertain the owner’s intentions

Training and education of a young dog

One should worry about the matter of selecting a dog trainer even prior to the arrival of a cute and plump puppy in the home. For a young puppy, group classes in OKD (basics of dog training) or UGS (controlled city dog) are recommended. These groups typically consist of 7–10 dogs of a similar age, so in addition to learning how to obey commands, the puppy will also get socialization and experience interacting with family members.

Group training helps the dog learn to ignore distractions.

It will be sufficient to go over the fundamentals of obedience with the dog as the Shar Pei is not a service breed. This is essential if you want to feel at ease with your pet not just at home or in a deserted park, but also in areas with lots of people, vehicles, and other animals. Because of their high intelligence, Shar Peis can be trained to be fairly controllable; the key is to train them consistently and methodically, moving from one command to the next.

Basic commands for the Shar Pei

  1. “Next to” — the dog moves near the owner’s left knee on a slack leash, without tension.
  2. Complex “Sit – Lie down – Stand” — execution of commands both separately and in different combinations.
  3. “Place” — the dog stays in the place indicated by the owner (indicated by some object, often a leash or bag).
  4. “Come to me” – the most important command, according to which the dog should approach the owner and sit at the left knee.
  5. "No" or "Ugh" — prohibition of an undesirable action, for example, picking up from the ground or loud barking.

Endurance commands work particularly well when multiple dogs practice them together.

Tip Description
Start Early Begin training your Shar Pei as a puppy for best results.
Positive Reinforcement Use treats and praise to encourage good behavior.
Socialization Expose your dog to different people and environments to reduce shyness.
Consistency Be consistent with commands and rules to avoid confusion.
Short Sessions Keep training sessions brief to maintain focus and interest.

It can be a fulfilling experience to train a Shar Pei, for both you and your pet. These dogs need a patient and consistent approach because of their distinct personalities and strong willed nature. Recall that creating a relationship based on mutual respect and trust is crucial. Your dog will be more eager to learn the more they feel comfortable with you.

With Shar Peis, positive reinforcement is quite effective. Playtime, praise, and treats can encourage them to comply with instructions. To keep their attention, keep training sessions brief and enjoyable. Keeping your dog busy and interested in new things will help them stay focused and engaged.

Socialization is also very important. Introduce people, other animals, and different environments to your Shar Pei. This lessens the likelihood of fear-based behavior and aids in their confidence-building. A socialized Shar Pei will be easier to train and more laid back.

Have patience and adaptability. There will be obstacles to overcome because training takes time. Appreciate little accomplishments and resist the need to let losses depress you. You can raise a well-mannered and contented friend with patience, love, and dedication.

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Daria Lebedeva

Dog lover. I constantly study the characteristics of different breeds, their character and needs. I publish articles on how to choose the right breed that suits you and how to provide the best living conditions for your pet.

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