FitDog Friday #57: Mastering Daily Dog Training in Minutes

Mr. N and I work on training every single day (mostly because he needs it!). I attempt to do something new most days but at the very least, we review something he already knows every day. It takes literally a minute or two and since he has to work for all his food already, it doesn’t take extra time. He gets two snacks a day (we were advised to give him small frequent meals because he has a bit of a delicate stomach) so snack time is usually training time for us.

Practicing his stay and perfecting his photo pose

The secret to training regularly is making it part of your routine. I don’t wake up thinking oh we should train this at such and such time today. I just cram it into small slivers throughout the day. For example:

• Brushing your teeth- down stays
• Commercial breaks – learn new trick
• Before dinner – leave it
• Waiting for the microwave – review old tricks
• Cleaning the living room – work on retrieving items
• Waiting for the laundry – mat work 
• Folding laundry – go to bed (Mr. N loves sleeping on fresh laundry if we don’t tell him otherwise)
• Waiting in line – practice various paw behaviors (high five, shake, fist bump, cover eyes)
• Watching TV – grooming time (brushing fur and teeth, cleaning eyes) 
• Walks – impulse control, greeting other people and dogs politely
• Anytime your dog is doing something else – recall (once your dog is ready for distractions)

We do not do all of the above tasks in one day but I mix it up and Mr. N gets reinforced for good behavior and we proof old behaviors.  I also have clickers all throughout the house (which the boyfriend is not fond of) so I’ll pick one up when I’m moving to a different room and do some shaping with Mr. N if I’m thinking about it. He likes training time because he gets treats and attention and praise and if I ask him if he wants to train, he’ll dash out of bed and wait at our usual shaping locale (in the living room, by the kitchen).  We haven’t worked on anything particularly exciting lately although I do want to get him a skateboard and I think we might try to work on the hot dog retrieve during the holidays to give him something to do.  When and what do you train with your dog(s)?  And be sure to enter our giveaway for $200 PayPal Cash!

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