Training

I think the word "Training" gives some Folks the creeps. It evokes a regimented "Absolute Slavish Obedience". Nothing could be further from the Truth when it comes to Training Wolves & Wolfdogs. If you wish Slavish Obedience from your Companion,
DON'T GET A WOLFDOG.
In fact, if you demand slavish obedience in your Companion,
get a Chia Pet. 
I've also heard it said that you cannot  "Train" a Wolf or a Wolfdog. Again, that is tacitly untrue!! Being social animals, Wolves & Wolfdogs are constantly "training" Pack members. Wolves & wolfdogs are every bit as trainable as is any animal, which includes a rather intractable, stubborn, easily distracted, easily bored, clever, manipulative & opportunistic mammalian predator by the name of Homo Sapiens. And much like humans, Wolves & Wolfdogs are in a constant state of learning, of re-evaluating & adapting to a given situation. What training does, is strengthen the bond between Human & Canine. Training clarifies & sets boundaries and expectations to your relationship with your companion. When you consider the fact that you have a potentially large, genetically successful  carnivore it only stands to reason that you will want that FurPerson to know in their heart, with no doubt, that YOU are the Alpha of the pack. That position does not spontaneously occur. It takes dedicated aforethought and a lifetime's worth of commitment.
Remember, WOLFDOGS ARE FAMILY MEMBERS
They are Companions, Lifemates, Pack Members who are always looking to YOU for Guidance. Wolfdogs can be very challenging to train mostly due to their extraordinary reasoning prowess, their feline-like curiosity, and their propensity for boredom. Wolfdogs need a stimulating environment, and a successful training program must be fun & exciting, or it is doomed to fail.
Some of my personal thoughts on the trainability of wolfdogs: 

The first time I heard "They are what they are." I thought : "Well, what the heck is THAT supposed to mean?" & then I raised Ahanu, and it became very clear to me what that statement REALLY MEANS. But I have to say something here...There is a difference between unconditional acceptance of another being's personality, and lowering the "expectation bar". Let me see if I can explain that statement better. 

I have met people who have had animals from very early on, just a couple weeks old, that, because they "knew" that "wolfdogs can't be trained", because "they are what they are", because "you can't expect a wolfdog to be civilized" weren't properly socialized, and were, quite frankly, not pleasant to spend time with as a direct result of the poor socialization. (Please note, for this example, I am not referring to rescues or animals "with issues", but rather, animals that were purchased and raised with the express purpose of sharing a life with a wolfdog.) The animals were allowed to do as they pleased, with no attempt at socialization, at training on "How to be a Good Citizen". They were fed, fixed (if they were lucky), and vaccinated, but they were never treated as a member of the Family. Now I ask you. What quality of life is that? Do y'all remember that movie "The Miracle Worker"? Well, these animals are treated just like Helen Keller was before Annie Sullivan came in with her EXPECTATIONS of how a Human Being should behave. Annie Sullivan demanded that the Keller Family treat Helen as a PERSON, not as an uncontrollable wild animal.
WOLFDOGS ARE NOT WILD ANIMALS.
Well, I think we should do the same for wolfdogs. We would never consider raising a human child with a hand's-off approach. We would report such action as neglect. We teach them, we guide them, we shape their behaviors, we force them, if necessary, to do things or NOT do things, for safety's sake, for health's sake. HEALTH also includes emotional health. We do these things because we love them, and we want them to be happy, well-adjusted adults. Shall we do less for our companions simply because they are not human? And this goes for ANY companion animal of higher intelligence.
Training = Socialization !!! 

Remember, Always Interview a Potential Trainer
You & your Wolfdog must feel Comfortable with them!

If you know of any Trainer with experience willing to work with Wolfdogs,
I would be happy to add you to these referrals. Please write: Kat Wolfdancer
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A word about the No Limitations System. I have not yet had the opportunity to work with this system. As a direct result of feedback from others I have met who HAVE taken their wolfdogs through this training program, I am eager to experience this system for myself. The feedback I have heard is wonderful. The results have been phenomenal.

Part of the No Limitations program calls for a collar, and there is a great deal of controversy about the use of electronic collars in training. In my personal experience, there are collars, and there are collars. Not all collars are appropriate to training, or for that matter, wearing. (But my opinions are my own.) There are several different types of e-collars (electronic training collars) available on the market. The one most are familiar with is the old fashioned shock collar. You do something "wrong", and it zaps the snot out of you. These kinds of collars can cause severe abrasions and lesions on the neck, and can cause extreme neurosis in the wearer. This is considered Punishment. (There are other nouns which apply, but again, my opinions only) The type of e-collar used in the No Limitations Training is one which has a "buzzer" setting. You use a little hand held device which triggers a buzz or a sound to signal whether the animal has done something RIGHT! NOT as a punishment for doing something WRONG. This is positive reinforcement, and is communication, not punishment.

I can't wait to try it on one of my Kidz, I know we'll have a gas. As a trainer I met once said, "Training ends when one of the two of you achieves room temperature."
Here is an article I wrote for Florida Lupine Association about training.
I hope it is informative. What Training Is, What Training Isn't

for some Excellent Training Books & References,
such as "Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas, and Nicole Wilde's educational books.
The Page which follows illustrates some of the basic Body Language cues
we can use to try to understand what our dogs are trying to tell us.
Body Language Communication is the Key to Understanding! 

I found some terrific Training Tips at this site
Can We Help You Keep Your Pet?
I hear of so many Folks giving up on their WolfDog and Sending them off
(IF they are Lucky)
to the Rescue Queue when all that was Needful was a little bit of training
for the Human as well as for the Wolfdog.
It's a Partnership. Training works Both Ways.
As a trainer I met once said,
"Training ends when one of the two of you achieves room temperature."