Having an obedient dog is blissful.
But an undisciplined dog is a headache.
Read on to learn 5 dog training exercises you should do daily at home to boost agility and good behavior.
5 Dog Training Exercises You Should Do at Home?
Dog training exercises are beneficial. They help keep your dog healthy while ensuring it maintains proper manners. The exercises should be done consistently. Let’s dive in.
Threshold manners
These are important. They teach your dog about exiting and entering doorways. Threshold manners ensure your dog goes into and out of the house correctly. This exercise keeps your dog well-behaved when you have visitors.
Your dog will not push over thresholds or entrances. You can teach your dog threshold managers by having your dog sit and stay while you open the door. You then call it to come in. Use treats as rewards whenever your pup calmly exits or enters doorways.
Good opportunities to practice this are when getting out, coming from work, or getting the mail. Teach your dog not to dart through the door whenever it is open. Some of the benefits of threshold manners include:
- Impulse control: Threshold manners encourage impulse-management and self control thus fostering good behavior in other areas.
- Safety concerns: A dog with threshold manners will know the importance of waiting before darting to dangerous areas.
- Better social interactions: A dog with polite door manners will not jump on visitors or cause chaos.
- Overall obedience: Threshold manners boost your dog’s overall obedience to commands.
Food drill
This prevents food aggression while teaching your fido to be polite while eating or taking treats. To begin this training, make your pooch sit calmly while you give it a treat. If it tries to snatch the treat, cover it with your hand and say ‘’no’’.
Give your dog the treat when it calms down. Make this exercise a routine, and keep increasing the distance between you and the treat.
Crate training
This is important as it ensures your pup feels safe in confined spaces or places. Begin this exercise by putting treats inside a crate and then encourage your dog to go inside the crate.
As your dog gets accustomed to this, you can increase the time it stays in the crate. You should, however, ensure the dog gets breaks for playtime and bathroom. Doing this consistently gives your dog the confidence to stay in the crate longer.
Different crates come in handy for different situations. If your dog enjoys privacy, you can go for crates like the Aspen Traditional Pet Carrier. Dogs that love traveling will feel comfortable in Elitefield Collapsible 4-Door Soft-Sided Crate.
Starting early is key in crate training. Puppies require a small crate. Consult the vet before moving forward with crate training if your dog exhibits any signs of distress or you are worried about their comfort, such as when they drool, vocalize frequently, try to flee, or are uneasy.
Exercise
Incorporating exercise in your dog’s routine keeps it healthy, boosts the bond between you and your dog, and keeps your dog mentally stimulated. These benefits make exercise a crucial component in your dog’s life.
Walking, playing, and running are some exercises you can do with your dog. Setting aside approximately 30 minutes every day for exercising is healthy.
The type of exercise you choose for your dog varies with its age, activity level, and breed. Despite physical issues that can make them slower, older and less active dogs still need to exercise to keep their bodies functioning properly.
For dogs with arthritis, regular exercise is particularly crucial since it keeps their joints mobile. Consult the vet about pain medications and other dog health treatments if you believe your dog might be uncomfortable enough to go for a simple 30-minute stroll.
Dogs in wheelchairs or carts with special equipment can still enjoy a stroll through the neighborhood.
Lack of exercise is dangerous as it encourages destructive behaviors, loss of muscle mass, and obesity.
Obedience
It is important to teach your dog basic obedience commands. Such commands include’’come’’, ‘’sit’’, and ‘’stay’’. Your dog will frequently find the sit command the first and easiest to learn. The next step is to teach your dog to lie down.
The stay command comes next. Additionally, you should train your dog to come as soon as possible whenever you call it. This command is the most fundamental.
Besides boosting the bond between you and your dog, these commands ensure your pup understands your expectations.
Practicing these commands in different setups ensures your dog is well-mannered in every situation or environment. Be consistent with the commands and use treats, praise, or positive reinforcements to reward your dog for obedience.
How can I encourage my dog to learn and stay on track while training?
Making training fun for your dog encourages it to learn and stay on track. Use treats and rewards to make your dog enjoy and look forward to the training.
Can I train my dog without any special equipment at home?
Yes. It is possible to train a dog without any special equipment. Some training, however, may require a leash. A leash comes in handy during heel training.
Should I train my dog before or after meals?
The best time to train your dog is after meals. This is because, during that time, your dog is satisfied and relaxed.
Should I use treats every time I am training?
Yes. Treats come in handy during the first stages of training. They act as positive reinforcement tools so your dog can enjoy training.
How long should each training session last?
Each training session should take approximately 5-10 minutes. This is because dogs have a short attention span. You can repeat the exercises a couple of times a day.
Over to You
There you have them.
Training exercises are beneficial for you and your dog.
We have given you the 5 basic dog training exercises you should do every day at home.
The exercises include threshold manners, food drills, crate training, exercise, and obedience. It is important to be consistent with the training.
Always consult the vet before introducing a training exercise.