Irish Wolfhound Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

As the tallest of all the sighthounds, Irish Wolfhounds are just gentle giants. Mostly, they enjoy a good day of making themselves comfortable on your couch. Don’t be fooled, though; underneath that gentle exterior is the nature of a coursing hunter. That is where training comes in.

So, if you’re considering getting an Irish Wolfhound for your family, this guide is for you. We’re going to explain everything you need to know to make sure you train your Irish Wolfhound to the best of your capabilities.

Should I Train My Irish Wolfhound?

The short answer is always yes. You should start training Irish Wolfhound the moment you walk into your house. It is important to remember even though they aren’t difficult to train; you should always start to teach them the very basics.

Puppy training is a wonderful way to get the ball rolling. You can start with puppy socialisation classes or obedience trials. Irish Wolfhounds get along great with kids and other pets, but you’ll need to introduce them slowly. An easy way to do this is by going to puppy socialising classes.
 

Are Irish Wolfhounds Easy To Train?

Yes, training your Irish Wolfhound will be easy, as they are intelligent breeds. With that said, you’ll have to have patience with them because they might be clumsy while still puppies.

When training your pup, you can use methods like head collars, harnesses when they get older, or a clicker. If you decide on using dog trainers, it’s best to have said trainer work with your Wolfhound puppy till about 6 months old.
 

What Kind Of Training Does An Irish Wolfhound Need?

Dog training for Wolfhounds isn’t much different from other breeds, although they’re larger than your average dog.

Like many dogs, up to six months, they don’t need actual formal exercise – just some basic training.
 

Toilet Training An Irish Wolfhound Puppy

Potty training dogs is crucial for avoiding accidents in the house – here’s how to do it.

When to start toilet training your Irish Wolfhound puppy

The best time to toilet-train your pup is between eight and 12 weeks. The sooner you start, the sooner your Wolfhound will know where exactly to do its business.

How to toilet train your Irish Wolfhound puppy

• Always remember to monitor them when they are puppies. Remember, in the beginning, they don’t think; they just go. There are signs to look out for, though. When you see them sniff, squatting, or circling in one spot, take them out or to their designated area.
• Stick to a consistent and predictable toilet schedule. As dog owners, we sometimes forget that they like to stick to a schedule. So, feeding and walking them on a schedule will also make things much easier.
• Use positive reinforcement. Don’t get upset when you see an accident in the house. These things happen. That’s why training is important. The key to a successful toilet training session is to build a positive association, so reward them with treats, praises and cuddles when they get it right.

Crate Training Your Irish Wolfhound

You don’t have to think of a crate as being a jail cell for your dog. Irish Wolfhounds love having their own space where they can go to get some peace.

You must make sure there is enough space. It will be best to buy a big crate, big enough even when they’re all grown up. Never use the crate as punishment; see it as their home, making it a happy place for them.

Why is it important to crate-train your Irish Wolfhound puppy?

The great thing about the crate is you can have a place to feed them, which will be one way of making them happy. Everyone is happy after a delightful meal! Having a crate where they can sleep and relax will keep them out of trouble.

When to start crate training your Irish Wolfhound puppy

The best time to train your puppy will be the same age as mentioned above, eight to 12 weeks old. Training your puppy early will help them get acquainted with their own space. This will give them a sense of shelter and haven when they get older.

How to crate train your Irish Wolfhound puppy

• Firstly, you should always practice patience with small steps. Crate training your Irish Wolfhound can take days or weeks. This all depends on their age and temperament.
• You should always have your dog associate the crate with something good and pleasant. It’s best to place the crate in an area where your family spends most of their time. This way, they will still feel close to you even when left to their devices. You also want to ensure your hound can sit upright in their crate, even during the growth period.
• Put a comfy bed and soft blanket in the crate and begin feeding them near the crate. If your dog isn’t afraid, feed them in the crate. You can start by having your dog spend about 30 minutes in there while you are home.
• If all goes well, you can start having them spend short periods in there while you’re not at home. By doing this, you will avoid any behaviour problems. Don’t be out of the house for long periods at a time because those behaviour problems you’re trying to avoid will come out.

Pros and cons of crate training

Let’s start with the cons and get that out of the way. If you don’t follow the steps mentioned in this guide, it can negatively influence your dog’s mental and emotional well-being. If your dog’s temperament doesn’t agree with the crate, you’ll have a tough time getting them to stay in there, leaving them to act out.

Something else to consider is when not getting the right size crate; your Wolfhound can develop joint problems.

The pros, however, are that it can benefit your dog’s behaviour. If you find your puppy is chewing on some of your furniture, buy some toys and put them in their crate; they will realise the fun stuff is in their crate. It’s their home inside your home.
 

Can I Train My Irish Wolfhound To Do Tricks?

Irish Wolfhounds aren’t known for doing tricks. With a bit of dog training, you can do the normal fetch, lay down, and agility trials, though.
 

Tips For Training Your Irish Wolfhound

Like with any other dog breed, training is not something that happens overnight, and if you want to see the results, here are some of our best tips.

Be consistent

You need to stick to your scheduled puppy training to be successful. Irish Wolfhounds will get along with other dogs and people, given that they are regular visitors, especially with an older hound. We would recommend that you do this while your dog is still a growing pup.

Positive reinforcement is key

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your Irish Wolfhound. They don’t respond well to any harsh corrections. Don’t be fooled by the size; they are very sensitive.

Avoid over-using treats

When they do something well during training, give them a snack. But don’t give them treats too much, or they’ll learn to expect them all the time. Just because they are more significant than smaller breeds doesn’t mean they should get more treats regularly!

Consider clicker training

Using a clicker is a great way to train your dog and will help if you decide to take them to the obedience ring to show off their skills!
 

Final Thoughts on Training An Irish Wolfhound

Teaching your Irish Wolfhound can be very rewarding. Just remember that some are slower to learn and need more time, so you’ll need to assess your dog’s ability with easy training activities.

Mostly, it will be an enjoyable activity for both of you. And did we mention bonding time? How you train them will reflect on you, so be calm, focused, consistent, and kind. Always praise your dog when it does something well during training.