Training a Hovawart: what works and what to expect

Training a Hovawart is a partnership. The breed is intelligent and willing, but it was bred to make its own decisions as a guardian. It will comply readily when it respects and trusts you, and it may ignore a command repeated for the tenth time with no obvious purpose. Consistency, fairness and reward-based methods work best.

Early socialization with visitors, children, other dogs and new places is essential. The goal is a calm, confident guardian that can tell a genuine threat from a friendly neighbor. Enroll in puppy classes, then continue with obedience or sport training through adolescence, which is when many Hovawarts become noticeably more protective.