Q: How long does my dog need to wear the leash for?
A: If you have not needed to touch your dog’s leash to help shape, mold, or interrupt bad behavior in THREE WEEKS, then you are ready to have some time without it. The really important part is that when your dog makes a mistake, the leash is reintroduced for a period of time until you are sure. All dogs are going to make mistakes at times, but it is what you do after the mistake that is more important in the training process.
Q: When do I know my dog is ready for more freedom?
A: Your dog is ready for short bursts of freedom when they are consistently making good decisions and following through with the commands you are giving. At this time, consequences of mistakes should not put your dog in danger.
Meaning, free time in an unfenced yard bordering a busy road with no leash. First, try letting them out in a fenced Sarasota yard with little distractions, or around a larger area of the house during a time of little distraction to make sure they will not chew on things or have an accident.
Q: Why shouldn’t I leave my dog’s food out all day and let him/her graze?
A: Especially concerning potty training issues, this practice can hinder progress of teaching your dog to use the bathroom outside. Free access to food can also be the root cause of some bratty behavior or resource guarding around the house. Dogs like having a schedule, and a feeding schedule is no different! Feeding schedules can also give your dog the structure and leadership they are looking for!
Q: How can I help my dog act better when we have people over?
A: The best way to help your dog succeed when guest come over is to have some simple rules in place first. Teaching your dog “place” command first when there are no distractions will help them learn impulse control. Then you can use the command when it counts and the excitement is high.
Having a leash attached to your dog’s collar can also be beneficial in facilitating this process! Remember, if your dog jumps on your guests, they are rewarding themselves for bad behavior.
