11 easy ways to create a better dog

One of the most common things I hear from new clients is that they simply don’t know where to begin. It can seem like a daunting task to get from the slightly damaged dog they adopt from the local shelter or the happy, bouncy puppy with the short attention span to an attentive dog that’s ready to be trained. The truth is by changing some simple things in the way you interact with your dog you can get there in no time.

1. Get a suitable training collar for your dog and learn how to use it properly.
2. Get a good quality dog crate and use it whenever your dog is unattended. Note: No collars or harnesses in the crate!
3. Supply a bed or mat other than the dog crate for your dog to use when not crated. This should be their destination when they are sent to go lay down unless you specifically point them elsewhere.
4. Keep your dog off the furniture unless they have been specifically invited up.
5. Consult your veterinarian for a specific food recommendation suited to your dog’s age, breed, fitness and health needs.
6. No free feeding. Instead, distribute their daily feeding among 1 or 2 mealtimes and stick to them. Allow 5 to 10 minutes to eat and then remove any remaining food. Note: Always allow free access to water when your dog is not crated unless specifically advised otherwise by your veterinarian.
7. If your dog has come to expect treats for a specific task, break that cycle today by using natural affection in place of your treat giving.
8. Go for at least one long walk with your dog every day.
9. Get your dog a saddlebag style backpack and put it to use on your walks to get them even more exercise.
10. Never allow your dog to jump up to greet a person. After sitting politely for a greeting they should only be allowed up if invited.
11. Socialize the heck out of your dog. Whether you have one dog or many they should be able to greet all new dogs in a friendly manner.

I’ll be going into more details on this list soon. Until then put these tips into action and ask questions and share your experiences with us in the comments.

Tagged as: adoption, affection, backpack, collar, crate, exercise, feeding, fitness, health, manners, nothing in life is free, puppy, safety, shelter, socialization, training, treats, veterinarian, walking