How Do You Train Dog During A Pandemic?

The global pandemic presents a number of unique challenges when it comes to dog ownership. The past year has had a big impact on our dogs as we spend more time at home and new pet owners must learn how to properly socialize their puppy in this new world.

It just means we have to get creative and figure out how to give our dogs proper socialization and developmental opportunities. Just like children, we must design a lifestyle that provides stimulating and learning experiences.

Puppy behaviors and experiences shape how dogs behave as they grow up. It's always a good idea to keep an honest assessment of your puppy's behavior as he grows. Be aware of things that may hinder his later success in training and hunting.

Items to be assessed include:

How receptive is the puppy to the new person, dog, and environment?

Do they adapt quickly? How much stress do they experience in these situations?

How easy and how quickly did they receive instruction?

Is it easy to gain and maintain their attention to teach new behaviors?

How well developed are the traits/behaviors expected of them as adults?

Do they show confidence and enthusiasm to explore new frontiers?

Do they want to get it back?

Are they able to travel and kill time in the crate in an easy way?

Will they be traveling or eating in a new environment?

How calm, confident and relaxed are they when they are not around you?

Looking at these behaviors objectively will tell you where your dog needs help most and where your developmental priorities are.

How can you help?

Think outside the box about what might be right for your life. Make time for more hiking trips, canoeing, dog park time, obedience work, challenges with agility classes, crate training, rides in vehicles, trips to bird farms, or even just walking around different neighborhoods, there are different noises. Get creative!

Having more time to spend with your dog is always a good thing. However, it's easy to fall into a routine/habit. Take a proactive stance and document your dog's experience and compare it to your dog's goals. Make sure you are training your dog in a way that will help him achieve his goals.

Regardless of your dog's age, you can find creative ways to help him further his experience and education:

Working in your home office? This is a great time to do local training with your dog. Teach him to follow the prompts to the designated area and calmly wait for you to finish the work.

Is there a dog whose neighbors bark incessantly when you're not around? Set up a situation to establish consistent quiet behavior.

Does it take effort to obey? While you're doing something simple (like maybe walking across the house to grab a coffee), call your dog and use the opportunity to get some exercise.

Need a new challenge to keep your dog focused, stimulated and learning? Look around for obstacles that are used as agile lessons. These challenges can be as simple as walking your dog along a short retaining wall; jumping to the back of a vehicle; walking over a low, safe bridge you built with a plank and a few bricks; even when you're ready Hide a toy and prompt your dog when you ask him to find it.

Does your dog need some relaxation at home to burn off some energy? This is the perfect time to develop the perfect search! Make retrieval a reward and a way to have fun one-on-one with you.

Does your dog need more socialization? Think about new situations he hasn't been through and expose him to as many of them safely as possible. This will help him overcome stress and feel comfortable wherever he goes. This could be a walk in a new park, a walk in a new neighborhood, or an outing with a friend's dog.

Teaching a dog to follow loose lead is a great way to help a dog learn to control impulses. A dog who can choose to walk peacefully by your side with a loose lead and stand in a composed manner when you are still is also a dog that is more likely to be successful in encountering new people and situations.

Working with your dog by setting boundaries so he can develop a sense of composure is probably the most helpful thing you can do for him. Start building behaviors at home, and when a new opportunity for adventure knocks, you and your dog will be ready to enjoy it!