A well-behaved pup: training from day 1
The beginning of a new year usually means a new round of puppies and along with them; new puppy-parents!
Non-Europeans are often bewildered at the sight of an off-leash dog waiting patiently outside the convenience shops found across Berlin, or a sound sleeping pup under the tables at coffee shops in Copenhagen, or a stylish hound trotting in front of the owner and stopping perfectly without commando at the crossing light in Paris and many other situations where you might go “wow, that is one well-behaved pup!”.
Although we can’t deny the cuteness of a mischievous puppy running amuck and bringing smiles to everyone’s faces at the office, sometimes these behaviours can be greeted with a stinging glare from others.
A well trained dog doesn’t mean that they would be restricted to fun in their lifetime, but it will mean a better and a stressless life that you both can enjoy. We’ve done our research and asked our team members in what they have done to create a chilled out pup. Read below for some tips and tricks as well as some tools that may come in handy.
For a confident off-leash walk
Both you and your dog can benefit greatly from a fun off-leash walk where you can breathe and take in the surroundings for more than a second without having to worry whether your dog have made a run for it. An off-leash dog walk can mean more for dogs than you think as this means they can run freely and test their speed or a mental-stimulating session through sniffing or simple tricks that will strengthen the bond between you.
In order to achieve a relaxing off-leash walk or even hike, one would need an almost perfect reliable recall. We recommend using helpful tools such as a long line in combination with a treat bag, a dog clicker and if desired, a dog whistle during the early training days.
A long line allows you to reach your dog even when they are meters ahead of you. Please note that long lines should only be used in combination with a dog chest harness in order to minimize any impact on their body from sudden stops. We recommend practicing indoors with minimal to no distractions before moving outside. Once the dog comes back at first call, reward them directly with high-value treats such as cheese or our tasty natural treats assortment! If the use of the recall tools such as clicker and whistle are desired, simply associate the treat with a click or build up their whistle association from a simplest eye contact.
Once they have mastered the recall, add in a hint of play by teaching them free form play which are games where there are no wrongs and rights such as jumping onto a tree stump or over hurdles which can simultaneously build your dog’s confidence.
For your dog’s full attention anywhere
A simple eye contact can mean many things for dogs. From alerting you of a want and need or even a simple sign of love, building up that voluntary eye contact is a great form of communication which can strengthen your bond.
Voluntary eye contact from your pup also gives you the peace of mind that they will always remember to look for you, even in very exciting and stimulating environments and will slowly give you the ability to go on hands-free walks with our multifunctional leashes.
Build your eye contact by rewarding eye contact before a meal or eye contact before receiving a treat. One of the best games that we like to play during walks is simply stopping in your tracks without saying a word. If your pup turns around to look for you, reward them — once they understand what you want from them, add in another factor and play hide and seek. This creates a healthy habit to always pay attention to you, wherever you may be. Stash treats in our treat bags for an easily reachable storage especially during walks.
For a calm and contained dog
A cool, calm and collected hound is the goal for a great Café or restaurant companion as well as a future office coworker. As many European dogs often are welcomed at most public places such as retail shops and more, they are accustomed to coming along and waiting patiently for their owners to finish up their errands since they are young. Puppies can often be found in transport bags for the first weeks of socializations sans dog contact and uses it as a comfort zone where they can sleep off the excitement once they have enough of the big world. As puppies can’t usually fight off the sleepy nods, the involuntary naps happen to be in their dog carriers which with time can be associated with quiet time. Tools that may help enforcing the quiet time for your dogs can be in found in forms of chew snacks, blanket and multifunctional leashes to limit their space.
Should they outgrow their puppy bags, upgrade to our travel beds for an easily portable comfort zone.
These are just a few tips and tricks from our in-house dog owners for a well-behaved pup so you won’t ever be envious again of those dogs waiting in front of the store, as yours will be just like them!
Do you have any tips on how to raise a well-behaved pup?
