It really depends what you mean by "challenging". If you mean he is not doing as he is told, are you sure he really understands what is being asked of him? Young dogs and rescue dogs, in particular, take time to learn the rules and breaches may simply be the result of not knowing what to do. If this is the case, then crank up the training! If your dog growls at you, see the FAQ Question 12. A third reason a Maremma may not do as it is told is because it does not consider the request sensible: make sure you don't tell your dog to do things for the sake of it. A Maremma is not a dog that likes "performing" and commands should have a purpose if your dog is to learn to respect your word. Learn to listen to your dog and read signals. Genuine serious challenges to a consistent, respected owner are rare. Most "challenges" arise when the dog has been allowed to do as it likes and the owner then changes his mind and tries to change things. The dog responds as you might expect - with annoyance! If this has happened you may need experienced help to safely deal with the unacceptable behaviour and re-establish the dog's respect for you. But the best way to prevent this is to start as you mean to go on. Establish the rules as soon as the dog arrives. Make it clear what is acceptable behaviour and what you expect. Be consistent and fair. Reward the behaviour you want and ignore the unwanted. Most dogs (including Maremmas) welcome clear boundaries and will breathe a sigh of relief. Whatever some trainers would have us believe "world dominators" are few and far between in the canine world!
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