Autumn is a great season to train your dog or puppy. With the cooler weather, there’s less worry about heat exhaustion, and there are plenty of sights, sounds and smells for you and your dog to experience.
Obedience training is the key to enjoying overall good behavior from your dog, and there is no better time than fall to practice your dog or puppy’s self-control with distractions. Scampering squirrels, crunchy leaves, tempting sticks and kids playing ball are all common distractions your dog can learn to listen to you in spite of.
Socialization is another aspect where there are lots of opportunities in autumn. With fall festivities abounding, there are plenty of outdoor activities, events and parks where you can bring your dog or puppy to practice socialization and good behavior around people, other dogs, bicycles and more.
Be sure to first practice the basic obedience commands in a very low distraction environment, such as indoors. Your dog should thoroughly understand the meanings of “heel” (walk at my side), “sit,” “down,” “stay” and “come.”
Next work with your dog outdoors, but close to home. Perhaps in front of your own house or yard where there are a little bit more distractions.
Once you’re confident that your pet understands what to do, it’s time to head out on the town! Go to a local park where there are likely to be lots of kids playing and other dogs being walked. Check out your community events listings and attend a local event together. Even just walking around downtown, window shopping or chatting with neighbors, are excellent opportunities to practice distraction work and socialization. Be sure to always bring a plastic bag for cleanup, and if you’ll be out a long time, bring some water for your dog too.
There are many benefits from doing these things with your pet. Not only can you enjoy being outdoors together on pretty autumn days, but you’ll also be teaching your dog to behave better overall. After all, if your dog can sit and stay in spite of a scampering squirrel or a bouncing ball, behaving around relatives during holiday visits at home will be a piece of cake!
Lori Verni-Fogarsi has been an author, speaker, small business consultant, and Certified Master Trainer for 18+ years. Her novel, “Momnesia,” (contemporary women’s fiction) has been designated a National Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist, and her nonfiction book, “Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs,” has been widely acclaimed in its genre. To learn more, please visit www.LoriTheAuthor.com and join Lori on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LoriTheAuthor.
