Key Insights:
- Cooler air and outdoor fall activities mean you may be taking your dog outside more during this time of year.
- Some basic cues to consider refreshing include “sit,” “stay,” and “off.”
- Refreshing your dog’s training now also gives you plenty of time to prepare for upcoming winter parties.
As we head into autumn, many of us are going back to school, returning to work after a much-needed vacation, or resuming regular work hours after months of summer Fridays. There are also plenty of outdoor activities and busy holidays. Now is a great time to use that “back to busy season” energy to positively refresh your dog’s training.
Preparing Your Dog For Fall Activities
Whether you’re taking extra-long walks or welcoming trick-or-treaters to your door, reinforcing specific verbal cues will help your dog enjoy the season, too. He’s constantly being tested with new people, strange sounds and smells, and high-stimulation situations.
Positive reinforcement of basic verbal cues helps your dog understand what’s expected of him so he doesn’t jump on strangers, startle children, or put himself in danger.
Outdoor Activities and Fall Walks
From pumpkin patches to your kids’ outdoor soccer games, your dog should know a few cues to avoid running off or jumping on strangers.
Sit
The “sit” cue helps your dog wait patiently. It also gives him something specific to do rather than simply telling him, “off.” Practice “sit” indoors when the atmosphere is calm and quiet.
Lie down
If you’re going to spend a long time outside, “lie down” is a great cue for your dog. It helps her relax while other activities are going on, such as carving pumpkins or watching a sports event. “Lie down” should be reinforced once your dog has mastered “sit.”
Go to mat
Also known as “place” or “go to place,” this cue helps your dog go to their safe place when you need her out of the way for a while, such as when someone comes to the door. Your dog’s safe place can be anything from their doggie bed to any other predetermined safe spot in the house.
Stay
This cue helps keep your dog safe by curbing his more impulsive behaviors. For example, it keeps him from jumping into piles of leaves that may contain hazardous bacteria or broken debris. It also keeps him from eating toxic acorns off the ground or chasing every squirrel he sees on walks.
Off
“Off” is a basic cue that teaches your dog it’s not ok to jump on people, especially children or those who might be scared of dogs.
Dealing With the Doorbell at Home
Halloween and Thanksgiving are essential fall holidays, but they also mean lots of doorbell ringing. For your dog, this can be a constant source of anxiety or excitement. Key cues to reinforce include:
- Go to mat
- Stay
- Off
You can also use “wait at door” to keep your dog and visitors safe. This cue teaches your dog to wait patiently at an open door, rather than jumping on the visitor or worse – running outside.
Preparing Your Dog For Upcoming Holidays
Fall holidays aren’t the only ones that will test your dog’s obedience. With the winter holidays coming up, there may be even more guests, parties, and visits to friends and family that will require your dog to practice good manners.
Practicing skills before guests arrive, cues such as “go to mat”, “lie down”, and “stay”, gives your dog a familiar behavior to fall back on when the house becomes busy.
A well-behaved dog will get to enjoy the holidays because she’ll know what’s expected of her as well as how to deal with constant new stimulation. You’ll also enjoy the holidays more knowing that your furry friend won’t be putting herself or others in danger.
Safety Tips
As always, be mindful of your dog’s mood and body language when exposing her to new people, places, and situations. If she seems fearful or about to get aggressive, give her space and help her move to a quieter, more comfortable environment.
Other fall safety tips for your dog include:
- Acorns, mushrooms, and chocolate are toxic to dogs
- Leaf piles may hide debris or bacteria
- Stay away from antifreeze puddles, which may taste sweet to dogs but are extremely toxic
- Keep lit candles far out of reach from curious dogs
- Add reflective gear or LEDs to your dog’s harness and leash when you go out
Pooch Pawsitive believes that positive reinforcement is your best choice in helping your dog become the loving, happy, well-behaved member of the family she wants to be. Let the energy of fall inspire you and your family to go back to school with your dog and refresh the cues and good manners that may have slipped during summer break.
From dog training in East Providence and Barrington to puppy training and socialization opportunities, Pooch Pawsitive proudly serves families throughout Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, and surrounding Rhode Island communities. Contact us today!