A Day In the Life: Epic Puppy Camp
1. Epic Puppy Camp is all about teaching puppies all the basics so you can actually go out and play with them every day
If your puppy has no idea how to pay attention to you at home, how in the world would expect her to pay attention when out in the big world of distraction?
Yet "obedience" is a drag. Seriously. You've got to make the fundamentals with a puppy fun to certain extent or you quit. It's got to be done so much in a normal every day life that it's so normal you don't think about it.
2. Recall (come when called) is a huge deal. If you can’t trust your dog to come to you in distraction, you’ll spend your life holding onto them. That’s not play. That’s not a trusted relationship.
If your dog can't come to you form 3 feet away at home, how do you expect him to come to you at the soccer game where families have brought other dogs, food and balls rolling around in front of them?
Check out this very basic come when called game you can play at home every day.
3. The other big thing we work on here at Epic Puppy Camp (in person & virtually) is leash manners.
Most people put a leash on their dog to head out the door in hopes of the perfect walk. In reality, your dog has no idea what this tether means. Familiarize your dog with walking on a leash in a familiar setting before you head out to all the smells, sights and sounds of the world at large.
4. “Can my dog say hi?”
Do you walk around on city streets or on a urban trails and as you see a new person approach from the opposite direction suddenly run up to them, get in there face and say, "Hi, I'm (name) and I want to be your friend even though you have no idea who I am or what I'm about."
No.
In fact you wouldn't consider that as appropriate at all. Yet people are forcing dogs into this situation.
If you want a really loyal, well behaved dog, when a stranger says, "Can my dog say hi?".. your answer is the same as a stranger offering candy to a kid. No.
Teach your dog to focus on you. Develop "friendships" with dogs over time... but the random, can my dog say hi is akin to a floozy in a bar. It's superficial and momentary. Just say no.
5. But what about socialization?
People have socialization all wrong for dogs. It's not about saying hi to every dog you see... it's about familiarizing your dog with all the social environments you thrive in and you'd like your dog to thrive with you.
That comes down to the every day occurrences, like a vacuum cleaner in your own home to the kids who skateboard in your neighborhood. Socialization is not a dog park where dogs "we all just get along"... it's exposure to everyday life which includes adults, kids, dogs, streets, trails, traffic, sounds, noises, smells, surfaces and all the things that happen while you navigate a day in the life. It' seriously is not about a dog park or meeting random dogs and expecting immediate friendship!
6. You got dog problems
Dogs don't learn like kids, and they certainly shouldn't be expected to go from zero to pro in a matter of weeks.
They do pick up on energy before anything else though.. that concept understood can get you and your dog a long way in a life of calm, confident, and a do life well played way.
And yes, I can coach this from anywhere with you!
Dog Life Unleashed is where you’ll find me.
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