Rhodesian Ridgeback board and train in Gloucester, MA

The AKC describes the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a fast and powerful athlete of 70 to 85 pounds, dignified and even-tempered, devoted and affectionate with family and reserved with strangers. Its trait chart scores affection, watchdog nature and being good with young children at five out of five, trainability and mental stimulation needs at four, and barking at two. It also says a Ridgeback can be too much hound for a novice owner, a statement about time and consistency rather than temper.

The training notes set the agenda. Because of a very strong prey drive, the AKC says, Ridgebacks should always be in a safely enclosed area when off leash. They can be strong willed and independent, and early socialization and puppy classes using positive reinforcement are recommended. VCA's breed guide agrees on method, saying the breed does best with reward-based training involving food, and calls obedience training a necessity for a dog this powerful.

Foundation spends one week on what a Ridgeback puppy or young dog needs: basic obedience and leash skills, place, stay and recall, impulse control, crate and household manners, and daycare integration with enrichment. In a young Ridgeback, impulse control and slack-leash walking come first, because a lunging habit set at five months becomes a hazard at 80 pounds. The AKC says the breed needs to live indoors with its family, and place and crate manners make that easier for everyone in the house.

In the two-week Advanced program a Ridgeback also gets distraction proofing, real-world outings, neutrality, confidence building and structured socialization, plus two scheduled coaching lessons for you. It suits the adolescent whose sit is perfect in the kitchen and absent when a cat crosses the road. For a dog the AKC calls reserved with strangers, neutrality means calm indifference to passers-by, never forced greetings. A Ridgeback's stay is quoted, and the youngest accepted age confirmed, after an assessment.

Pick-up comes with coaching, one go-home lesson after Foundation and two after Advanced, each spent running the look-back game and the leash rules with a trainer at your side. At home, play the game on every walk and give the drive a legal outlet. The AKC suggests tracking and agility for the breed, and VCA says a Ridgeback needs a good walk or jog, or a run in an enclosed area, every day.

VCA also notes that Ridgebacks are not generally good dog-park dogs, though individuals vary, so judge yours honestly before using the fenced Gloucester Dog Park at Stage Fort Park. Dogtown Academy, $89 a full day or $69 a half, adds a trainer session to play and enrichment; Canine Campus runs 2, 4 or 6 weeks with nights at home; private sessions start from $94. For households in Rockport, Gloucester, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea, the Pup Van handles a Ridgeback's ride for $10 each way.