For most of us the summer is about getting out of the house whether it be hiking, camping or travelling and we want or enjoy taking our dogs with us. I am spending some time at camp this week after not being here since last summer, with family and dogs and myself and dogs. So the first few days we were about reorienting ourselves to the new but familiar environment.
A friend and her dog came out for a visit and we started chatting about how training helps with everyday situations, especially being able to provide guidance in different environments. Here are several real training situations that I am using with my dogs while I am at camp.
Firstly, I encouraged the dogs to socialize and get readjusted to the yard and camp. The dogs wandered around the yard taking in the new smells and sounds.
Then we practised recall to stay in the yard. This was a daily occurrence as there were children, cars and chipmunks moving about. We also visited our favourite isolated beach where the dogs enjoyed exploring and were encouraged to check in with me often.
We also worked on different behaviours around the neighbours and their dogs, both on and off leash. We practised loose-leash walking and attention while walking by different neighbours' camps, and for the people or dogs who we wanted to greet we practised doing so politely.
Throughout the day I was doing handling exercises with the dogs when it was time for bug spray to be applied and be checked for ticks, or to be dried off after swimming.
Go to mat was encouraged throughout the day to have the dogs relax in the camp out of the hot weather at dinner time as well as in the camper at night.
My dogs having these skills allows me to enjoy my vacation and not worry about my dogs as well as spend more time experiencing new environments.
While walking the camp roads or being outside in the yard I was encouraging my dogs to do leave its off of random items on the ground as well as the chipmunks in the tree.
Being in a new environment (at camp) also provided my dogs with different modes of mental stimulation. For example, searching for the chipmunk in the wood pile, learning how to touch, stand and sit on the paddle board, chasing or biting at flies, wading and fetching in the water and watching the fish below.
My vacation time gives me a chance to read and discover new things about the world of dogs but also experience new situations with my own dogs.
I am hoping this article gives you a little food for thought and encourages you to revisit the training you have done with your dog in new environments or learn some new skills to help your dog succeed in your regular or new locations
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