It’s time to make some new habits to help your relationship with your dog blossom (Photo: The word “NEW” painted on a coral-coloured wall)
It’s time for change. Can you feel it?
This isn’t about New Year’s Resolutions, this is about your life and your relationship with your dog.
You’ve got some bad habits. We all do. But these ones are hurting you and your dog, so it’s time to let them go.
BAD HABITS THAT WE ARE KICKING TO THE CURB TODAY (NO MORE EXCUSES!):
Backyard Freedom:
You let your dog out to “exercise” in the backyard, but you don’t walk her.
When she’s outside, she barks at the neighbours, chases squirrels, barks at everyone who walks by your home, and when the neighbour’s dog is out, she runs the fence line with him, destroying your garden. She also digs holes. Sometimes she even guards the holes!
She doesn’t come from the backyard when you call her, in fact, she comes partway and then takes off like it’s a game. This leads to you swearing, throwing on winter boots, stomping after her, and then giving her a time out in the bathroom or her crate.
All of this stops today.
Your dog is ALWAYS learning. If you’re allowing this behaviour, you are agreeing with this behaviour.
What to do instead:
-accompany your dog into the yard for all bathroom breaks
-walk her every day (loose leash walking, not her out in front leading you)
-leave a longline on your dog when you’re in the backyard together to prevent her from blowing off your recall command
-teach your dog how to come when called (practice indoors and then work in more distracting environments with the longline until she is rock solid)
Giving too much freedom too fast is a very common mistake made by dog owners. Keep the longline on until your dog listens to you the first time you call. (Photo: terrier carrying a tennis ball in her mouth. She is wearing a blue harness and blue long line.)
2. Not Being Present:
You walk your dog, but you’re on your phone the whole time. She’s out in front, zigzagging, tying you up with the leash, barking at other dogs, and yanking you into traffic.
What to do instead:
Leave your phone at home. Dogs are a gift that reconnect humans to nature. Accept the gift.
Set down your phone and reconnect with yourself, your dog, and nature. (Photo: person cross country skiing with their dog in the mountains)
3. Being Inconsistent:
You mean to walk your dog every day, but some days (okay, most days) you’d rather snuggle and watch movies on the couch. You know you’re supposed to teach your dog how to be alone because you’ll be going back to work in the office soon, but it’s so much nicer to let her sleep on your feet or on your lap. You know you shouldn’t pet your dog when she puts her front feet on your chest, but she looks so cute that you do it anyway…and then yell at her when she does it to your Grandma.
What to do instead:
-be a consistent leader (Being a consistent leader takes stress off of your dog. If the only way she can self-soothe is be close to you/touching you, she is very unhealthy and can’t be left alone.)
-teach your dog to love placework
-teach your dog to love being in her crate
-walk her every day (loose leash walking, not her out in front leading you — she isn’t equipped to be your leader and it’s stressing her out)
-make rules (dogs aren’t allowed to put their front paws on humans) and make sure that everyone in your home follows the rules
This is the year that you are going to put in the work and see the results.
This is the year that you’re going to learn how wonderful living with a fulfilled dog is.
This is the year that your dog becomes your dream dog.
She is smart.
She can do it!
And so can you!
Kick those bad habits to the curb and schedule your free call today. Click the TAKE ACTION button.
Taking action feels good.
Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photos by: Upsplash Images (The word “NEW” painted on a coral-coloured wall,) Upsplash Image ( terrier carrying a tennis ball in her mouth. She is wearing a blue harness and blue long line,) jasper guy
@jasperguy (person cross country skiing with their dog in the mountains,)