Joan the Dog Coach
The transition from the dog days of summer to the back-to-school (and work) grind can often be rough for inquisitive canines — and their families. Schedules that were once about vacations, backyard BBQ’s, friends, family, and visitors are now gone. So, in the coming weeks and months, you might be looking for ways to maintain a sense of adventure for yourself and those around you, including your BFF (that’s best fur friend).
This post will be focused on finding fun in the great outdoors, while keeping our four-legged loved ones safe.
Tip #1. Follow Your Local and State Laws and Guidelines
If local guidelines and laws allow it, you can take this opportunity to explore new outdoor spots with your dog. While I can give you ideas, your first responsibility is to pay attention to, and abide by, local laws. Playing by the rules can allow us dog parents more freedom, as opposed to going rogue, getting someone upset and having more limitations created.
If your local area is impacted by some change and you’re not able to spend time discovering new spots, find an alternate location to enjoy time with your canine companion – even something as simple as going on a sniffari in and around your backyard or neighborhood.
Tip #2. Everything Old Can Be New Again
Even if you walk in your neighborhood and the route is familiar to your dog, you can change it up by adding training games to your routine and practicing fun tricks along the way. Consider cueing a sit-stay at every flower bed, or working on loose-leash walking for a block at a time, if not more. You can even ask your dog to spin, play dead, or perform another trick at every third mailbox!
The point is that your dog will cherish the time outdoors even if you’re on your same old neighborhood route, especially if you alter how engaged and attentive you are on your walk. It doesn’t take much to bring novelty to your dog’s world.
Tip #3. Unleash Dog Training Success Anywhere, Anytime
Remember that even if your pup is rock-solid on certain behaviors at your favorite park and around your neighborhood, those behaviors may benefit from more practice in new and unfamiliar places.
Dogs learn things in very context-specific ways. Generalizing, taking a skill your dog has grasped in one area and practicing it in a variety of locations and situations, is key to training success and enjoying wonderful adventures with your pup!
So, get creative about where and when you practice training games! You can have fun with familiar cues in new situations by going back to basics, lowering your expectations at first, and rewarding desirable behaviors generously. Then, gradually work in distance, duration, and distractions until your dog clearly “gets it”! It can be reinforcing (pun fully intended) for both of you.
Plus, from a safety perspective, generalizing helps to ensure that fundamental skills, such as Leave It and Drop It, are thoroughly trained, so you have them when and where you need them.
Bonus tip: Go easy on yourself!
This tip goes beyond outdoor adventures specifically, but it’s still incredibly important. You and/or your inquisitive canine might be struggling right now with the change in routines. Now is not the time for perfectionism or self-criticism — think pawsitive thoughts! Do the best you can and ask for help when you need it.
If you feel challenged by the ideas above, and you’re just making it through the day, meeting your dog’s — and your own — basic needs, you are still doing a great job. Remember, our dogs are thrilled by our time and kind companionship, and those are the most important things we can give them!
Here’s to harnessing the joy of quality time with our inquisitive canines!
The Inquisitive Canine was founded by Santa Barbara certified canine behavior consultant and certified professional dog trainer Joan Hunter Mayer. Joan and her team are devoted to offering humane, pawsitive, practical solutions that work for the challenges dogs and their humans face in everyday life. Joan offers coaching both in-person and online. If you are feeling inquisitive and have dog training questions, we invite you to contact The Inquisitive Canine for A Pawsitive Approach for Positive Results ™.
Timely article for back to school, but good advice any time. Her take it easy and have fun approach is a kindly approach to teaching, and it works.
You’re too kind, Red Creek. Thank you for reading the post and for the accolades. Yes! Training should be productive, simple, and fun for everyone! Happy training!