Better Safe than Sorry…Teach Your Dog His Space

From the very first time you are outdoors and even indoors with your dog, you must instill in him the importance of knowing just how far he is allowed to venture.  Of course, dogs don’t quite understand that you are placing limits on their natural instincts to do their "dog thing", which is to wander. Unless you give them instructions and indications of your specific wishes.  Service and work dogs are acclimated to this sort of verbal and non-verbal work as soon as they enter the work training force.

For the safety and security of your canine companion, having the dog understand your verbal commands is vital for everyone involved with the dog.  Choosing specific language to use, a proper tone of voice that lets the dog know who is in charge, and finally…having the appropriate equipment to instruct the dog.

Consider using a training lead, at least initially, so that the dog begins to understand that a certain amount of freedom is acceptable and when at the end of his "rope", he will learn that there are definite boundaries.

Be patient with puppies and dogs that are exploring a new environment.

Be aware of the differences in types of collars and neck wear for dogs and think about the purpose of the collar and the lead prior to a purchase.  You may even need to be aware of the length of your dog’s coat, his pulling strength, and the sensitivity of the skin around the neck area.

Some dogs respond more effectively to a more restrictive collar and lead while others are of a more relaxed temperament and do well with little force.

Once your dog knows the limitations of the environment, everyone will be much happier and feel a bit more comfortable about beginning the next phase of basic obedience training: off leash!

For more details, read How Far Will Your Dog Really Go?