Now Is The Time!

When spring is in the air, most people’s schedules and lifestyles change quite a bit. More time is spent outdoors, kids start to have more after school activities, and visitors come into your yard more frequently. Just as these and many other things change for humans, they also change quite a bit for our dogs.

There may be some things your dog did during winter months that didn’t seem like an issue then, but may start to be a problem now! For example, if your dog has been “doing his business” all over the yard during the winter, it probably was not as much of an issue as it will be when you’re spending more time out there grilling, playing, and entertaining guests.

Perhaps your dog barks and pulls when he sees other dogs. Again, not as much of an issue when you’re just about the only one out walking, but much more of an issue when you encounter numerous dogs each time you go for a walk.

Now is the time to work on these things and more. Teach your dog to use a designated bathroom area and to respect the boundaries of your planting beds and vegetable gardens. Work on socialization skills so he is not pulling or barking at people or other dogs, and make sure your dog is dependably socialized with visitors that will be entering your home and yard.

Other ideas to sharpen up now include teaching your pet not to steal food even if it’s at eye level, being well-adjusted when you are not at home, recognizing a “bathroom command” so if you take him on vacation with you he will know what you’re asking, and how to walk nicely with you and your baby’s stroller. Teaching your dog not to bolt out the door or yard gates is always a good practice, and chances are that there are many other ideas you can think of on your own for improving your dog’s behavior.

I encourage you to use the Search Tool or Category Menu to find many, many articles with free tips on how to teach your dog all of these things! You can find them at the bottom of every page!

With a little foresight and advance training, you and your dog and family can have a safer, more enjoyable spring, summer, and life together from here forward! If you need help with these or any other training goals, consider working with a knowledgeable, experienced trainer.