What are your camping goals? (Photo: black and white Cocker Spaniel sits calmly in a green boat on the water)
You love camping and you want to bring your dog along but you’re worried about how she reacts:
-on the leash
-on your campsite
-in the car
-around children
-around strangers
-and around other dogs
The last time you took her camping she blew up every time a dog walked by your campsite. It was so embarrassing.
Now your mind is filled with what ifs.
What if an off-leash dog ran up to her? What if I can’t hold her back and I drop the leash? What if her tie-out snaps?
It’s so overwhelming.
You can achieve your camping goals. All you need to do is start small. (Photo: a woman and her dog sit calmly in a tent overlooking the water and mountains)
This may sound surprising, but the first thing that will help you is to envision success. Imagine hanging out at your campsite with your dog. Picture her being calm when dogs walk by. Breathe and believe.
Now, you’re ready to make this dream a reality. Let’s get started.
Step One:
Write down your vision. What activities do you want to enjoy with your dog while camping? Do you want to go stand up paddle boarding with her? Canoe with her? Would you like her to be able to lay down and be chill at the campsite without defending it (and you) the entire time? Would you like her to be calm on walks through the campground?
Write them all down. The big goals. The small goals.
Don’t forget to add:
-calm in the car
If your dog spends three hours being over-excited or anxious on the way to the campsite, camping will be a struggle.
All set?
Cheers to you reaching your goals with your dog (Photo: a couple cheers with wine glasses at a campsite. Their dog is lying calmly on the ground)
Step Two:
Choose one small goal. Anything off the list that you can work on today.
PRO TIP: Pick something that you can practice inside your home. A dog who doesn’t listen to you inside your home will not listen to you outside the home. It’s that simple.
The biggest hurdle dog lovers have is getting started. Taking that first step. Right now, your list of goals may look like a mountain of work. But guess what? No one is asking you to move the mountain today. All you have to do is move a pebble. You can do that. Move one pebble today.
Here are some things to practice in case you’re having trouble picking where to begin. All of these can be done in your home.
-on-leash recall
-placework
-teaching your dog to walk nicely on the leash
Step Three:
Commit to practicing this small goal three times today. Five minute sessions. That’s 15 minutes. You can make time for that. Keep your sessions short, fun, and positive. Always end the session after your dog has done something correctly.
It doesn’t matter where you start. It matters that you’re brave enough to start. Be brave.
Let me know what you’re working on in the comments below.
Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders.
Alyssa
Photos by: John Cameron @john_cameron (black and white Cocker Spaniel sits calmly in a green boat on the water,) Patrick Hendry @worldsbetweenlines (a woman and her dog sit calmly in a tent overlooking the water and mountains,) Jimmy Conover @jimmy_conover (a couple cheers with wine glasses at a campsite. Their dog is lying calmly on the ground,)