You probably know it. The sun is shining, and you're looking forward to a walk in the forest after work with Vuffi, your very best furry friend...
On the way you meet a number of other dog friends from the neighborhood, and you are followed down to the forest where the dog can run freely... And here the pleasant part of the trip ends...
Because as soon as the leash says "click", Vuffi is all over the place after the bird that just allowed itself to come flying, and all the while the other dog friends are chatting and chatting about the day's events - you see yourself running around the forest floor, sweating and excited, to prevent Vuffi from rolling in horse chestnuts (let alone eating them), getting rid of the other dogs and running off towards the road...
Okay…maybe you don't know it…but then you surely know someone who does? …or.. (you've clicked here) so maybe you can nod in recognition to parts of the scenario?
We know it all too well - and we have collected 7 specific tips for what you can do in everyday life to make Vuffi listen better.
1.
Practice contact exercises with your dog in everyday life – preferably several times a day.
Contact exercises train your dog to – on its own initiative – take and keep focus on you. Train both at home, in the garden and on walks – reward every time the dog looks you in the eye.
See our free lesson on contact exercises.
2.
Try to plan quiet walks, where you may stop and do some light exercise along the way – where you are present and not busy chatting with others, and where the dog does not have too many distractions along the way such as other dogs, people, wildlife, etc.
The fewer times Vuffi runs away, the greater the likelihood that you can create more positive behavior in the future.
3.
You may want to train on a long 5 meter fixed line – perhaps for parts of the walk. That way you can control how much freedom Vuffi should have. Flexliner does not give the dog a feeling of freedom in the same way that a loose fixed line does.
4.
Create success. Do exercises and make sure to also train things where you are sure of success. Success and reward motivate the dog to become more focused – so it listens better and finds it fun to work. If possible, always end the walk with a few easy things that you KNOW the dog can always do – and thus avoid the dog perceiving you as someone who is always angry and yelling and scolding.
5.
Be consistent in your training and rules, and stick to them. This way your dog knows what to expect at all times and feels comfortable with it.
6.
Upgrade your treats. Maybe the dry dog biscuits just aren't tasty enough to motivate your dog enough, or he needs a new flavor. Think about having extra good rewards like sausage pieces, chicken, meatballs or something extraordinary that Vuffi only gets during training or when he has done something extraordinary.
7.
Be patient. The old saying – Rome wasn't built in a day – holds true here too. And even if it feels like progress is slow, remember that even a little practice will quickly produce results.
It takes time to change a habit (or unhabit) and the more times it has paid off, the more good experiences it takes to change it again. But it can always pay off, and you can always get better.
Obedience training: Help, is your dog (or rather) not obeying?
You probably know it. The sun is shining, and you're looking forward to a walk in the forest after work with Vuffi, your very best furry friend...
On the way you meet a number of other dog friends from the neighborhood, and you are followed down to the forest where the dog can run freely... And here the pleasant part of the trip ends...
Because as soon as the leash says "click", Vuffi is all over the place after the bird that just allowed itself to come flying, and all the while the other dog friends are chatting and chatting about the day's events - you see yourself running around the forest floor, sweating and excited, to prevent Vuffi from rolling in horse chestnuts (let alone eating them), getting rid of the other dogs and running off towards the road...
Okay…maybe you don't know it…but then you surely know someone who does? …or.. (you've clicked here) so maybe you can nod in recognition to parts of the scenario?
We know it all too well - and we have collected 7 specific tips for what you can do in everyday life to make Vuffi listen better.
1.
Practice contact exercises with your dog in everyday life – preferably several times a day.
Contact exercises train your dog to – on its own initiative – take and keep focus on you. Train both at home, in the garden and on walks – reward every time the dog looks you in the eye.
See our free lesson on contact exercises.
2.
Try to plan quiet walks, where you may stop and do some light exercise along the way – where you are present and not busy chatting with others, and where the dog does not have too many distractions along the way such as other dogs, people, wildlife, etc.
The fewer times Vuffi runs away, the greater the likelihood that you can create more positive behavior in the future.
3.
You may want to train on a long 5 meter fixed line – perhaps for parts of the walk. That way you can control how much freedom Vuffi should have. Flexliner does not give the dog a feeling of freedom in the same way that a loose fixed line does.
4.
Create success. Do exercises and make sure to also train things where you are sure of success. Success and reward motivate the dog to become more focused – so it listens better and finds it fun to work. If possible, always end the walk with a few easy things that you KNOW the dog can always do – and thus avoid the dog perceiving you as someone who is always angry and yelling and scolding.
5.
Be consistent in your training and rules, and stick to them. This way your dog knows what to expect at all times and feels comfortable with it.
6.
Upgrade your treats. Maybe the dry dog biscuits just aren't tasty enough to motivate your dog enough, or he needs a new flavor. Think about having extra good rewards like sausage pieces, chicken, meatballs or something extraordinary that Vuffi only gets during training or when he has done something extraordinary.
7.
Be patient. The old saying – Rome wasn't built in a day – holds true here too. And even if it feels like progress is slow, remember that even a little practice will quickly produce results.
It takes time to change a habit (or unhabit) and the more times it has paid off, the more good experiences it takes to change it again. But it can always pay off, and you can always get better.