A friend complained to: My dog is already one and a half years old. He is quite well behaved at home, but becomes completely different once he is outside. He doesn't listen to commands and runs around everywhere, which often makes me very anxious. What should I do?"
Oh, this is a typical result of the dog's lack of "outdoor activity training". Don't worry, in this chapter I will share with you some tips on outdoor training for dogs. include effective outdoor dog training and canine outdoor training.
According to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the critical period for puppy socialization is between 3 weeks to 4 months old. Many friends may be unfamiliar with the term "socialization" training. "Socialization" refers to the process of a dog not being afraid of people, things, and objects in daily life. In simple terms, it is to teach a dog how to interact with "other people" and "other dogs".
Generally speaking, this period is the best time for socialization training as it helps prevent fear and aggression issues later in life.
Outdoor Training Techniques by Environment
| Environment | Training Focus | Best Techniques | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard | Basic obedience, recall, boundary training | Short sessions, high-value treats, consistent cues | Beginner |
| Local Park | Distraction proofing, socialization, leash manners | Long-line training, gradual exposure, focus exercises | Intermediate |
| Urban Areas | Noise desensitization, heel walking, ignoring stimuli | Engagement games, pattern training, mat work | Advanced |
| Hiking Trails | Off-leash reliability, distance commands, wildlife indifference | Recall games, emergency stops, check-ins | Expert |
How to take a dog on a bus?
More people are improving their living conditions. So, many friends like to take their dogs for drives on weekends and holidays. However, there are some tips on taking a dog in the car.
If it is your first time to take your dog out in the car, it is recommended that you find a friend to assist you and sit next to the dog. At the same time, it is best not to go too far, so that the dog can gradually adapt. Outdoor dog potty training is important. Pet diapers are also essential, especially in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where traffic jams are common. If the dog can't hold it in for half an hour, your car will become a mobile toilet for the dog.
If you are ready, you can start training your dog outdoors as follows:
1. Make the dog listen to the owner and only let it get on the bus after hearing the command "get on the bus". Before giving the command, let the dog wait patiently. Even if the dog has the urge to get on the bus, stop it first. (Especially for some excited dogs, make sure they learn to listen to commands before getting on the bus)
2. outdoor dog behavior training. A dog that has just gotten on the car may be too excited to calm down, rubbing around and wanting to run forward. Therefore, as soon as the dog gets on the car, it should be allowed to sit behind the owner, and it should be comforted or allowed to sit down immediately. When it is likely to rush forward or keep quiet, the dog owner should give the command "no" or "NO".
3. For dogs that are easily nervous or not obedient, it is recommended to use a transport cage from the beginning. Because the transport cage can make the dog feel more secure and will not make the dog afraid due to the change of environment. This can be bought on Taobao.
4. After the dog enters the transport cage, start the engine first, but do not move. Let the dog sit in the transport cage, experience the atmosphere inside the car, get used to being in the car, and understand that it is safe there.
5. Move around in the car for a while, then start the engine and let the car drive slowly, from slow to fast, from near to far, and from good to bad road conditions. After driving for a while, try to find a place to rest and move around.
6. When exercising in a car, the owner should stay with the dog and pay attention to the dog's expressions. If the dog starts to vomit, stop the car right away. Let the dog get out to rest or vomit. You can also give it motion sickness pills beforehand.
Note:
- Drive carefully, because dogs don’t know when the car will turn, so you should slow down when turning, and don’t accelerate or decelerate suddenly.
- Do not leave your dog alone in the car. If the owner leaves the car, be sure to take the dog with you, especially in the hot summer. In a car without air conditioning, 15 minutes may cause the dog to suffer from heatstroke or even death!
Your dog will run away quietly as soon as you go out, and you won’t come back no matter how hard you call it.
Many owners will encounter this problem: their dogs will quietly run away as soon as they go out, and no matter how you call them, they won't come back.
Why does this problem occur? When a dog isn’t fully dependent on its owner, the owner often takes it out. The dog then gets curious about new things outside and starts to wander.
When the owner calls the dog and the dog does not come back, the owner is very likely to make the following two mistakes:
Mistake 1: Playing catch-up
When the owner chases the dog because he is afraid of losing it, the dog may have two wrong perceptions:
- The dog may think the owner is playing a game with it and run faster and faster;
- Sometimes the dog will be frightened by the owner's sudden action, and next time the owner calls the dog, it will run farther and farther out of fear.
Mistake 2: Scolding
When the owner calls the dog to his side with food, toys or other methods, he often scolds it because of his anxiety. This will cause the dog to quickly lose interest in returning to the owner, and it will greatly affect the affinity between the owner and the dog.
Outdoor leash training for dogs. Here are two proven methods for dog recall training:
Method 1:
You can use a longer rope to tie the leash, let the dog play freely first, and then give the dog a "come" command. If the dog does not come, the owner can slowly pull the dog to your side. At this time, the action of pulling the dog must be gentle, not rough. When the dog returns to the owner, the owner must give the dog food or caress, and the encouragement must be sufficient.
Gradually lengthen the rope. This lets the dog return to the owner quickly. It’s key for off-leash training outdoors. Use the "come" command, so the dog learns to respond without pulling.
Method 2:
professional outdoor dog training. Some dogs are at a safe distance from their owners. You can hide secretly when the dog is having fun. After a while, the dog will become very anxious if it can't find its owner.
You can let the dog feel anxious for a bit. Then, when the owner says "come," the dog will quickly return. Give the dog lots of praise, so it won’t run far in the future.
How to get a dog to cooperate with you in taking photos?
How to train your dog to pose beautifully? I guess many dog owners take their dogs out to take pictures when they go out. But as a dog owner, do you know how to make your dog pose beautifully for taking pictures?
How to get your dog to pose
1. First, carry the dog to a high place, such as a stone or a table. Then let its hind legs approach the edge of the table or stone, and let go. Generally, the puppy will want to lie down because it is afraid of falling. The high position and relatively small area will make the dog a little nervous, and most dogs dare not jump down. At first, it will be a little anxious, stepping on the spot, wanting you to carry it down, and then it will sit and wait for you to hold it. This is the best time to take pictures.
2. The dog owner should support the puppy's chest or chin with one hand. Then, with the other hand, gently pull the dog's tail back. This helps the dog slowly learn to pose. (Note that you cannot just pull the tail hair to avoid causing pain)
3. The dog owner then supports the dog's chest with his hands and pushes back to prevent the dog from sitting down.
4. When the dog feels its hind legs about to slip, it instinctively leans forward. It straightens up, plants its front legs on the ground, and tightens its toes. This creates a standard posture with all four limbs straight and its head held high.
5. Don’t just sit there, run to the front and take a picture of the dog! The dog can’t hold this pose for long~
As long as you repeat this method many times, the dog will gradually learn it. In the future, even if you stand on flat ground, as long as you pull the dog's tail backwards, the dog will reflexively pose in a standard and graceful posture. At this time, the dog owner should pay attention and don't miss the good opportunity to take pictures of the dog!
Things to note when taking photos:
1. Use food and toys that your dog likes
This trick is used to attract the dog's attention and make it cooperate with you in taking photos. Food and toys can always attract the dog's attention, especially toys that make sounds. When you shake the toy and make a sound, the dog focuses on it. It may tilt its head or move around. This helps you capture great photos of the dog.
Food can be used to encourage the dog when it is a little impatient. You can also use food to change the direction of its gaze in conjunction with the camera.
2. Follow your dog’s lead
As a living animal, a dog also has its own thoughts and favorite positions. It feels more at ease and comfortable in certain positions, and it is easier to take beautiful photos in such positions. The dog can lie quietly with a toy or its favorite things nearby. This makes photos more interesting than just pictures of the dog alone.
So you don’t have to move the dog to a position that you think is beautiful, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing to follow its intention. This is a mat placed next to the wall. The dog likes it very much and it looks beautiful in the photo.
3. Play with your dog for a while
For dogs with too much energy, you should play with them for a while. For example, throw a toy for them to fetch, or play some games they like. In short, let them use up some of their energy. Then, you can take pictures of them more easily with the above trick - especially useful before outdoor agility training for dogs.
Socialization training of pet dogs
Many friends may be unfamiliar with the term "socialization" training. "Socialization" refers to the process of a dog not being afraid of people, things, and objects in daily life. In simple terms, best dog training outdoors and socialization. it is to teach a dog how to interact with "other people" and "other dogs".
Generally speaking, the best period for socialization training of dogs is from 3 weeks to 4 months old. This period is the best period for socialization training of dogs.
1. After your dog finishes basic vaccinations at 2 months, you can start socialization training. For example, holding the puppy in your arms helps you train. You can watch pedestrians on the road and listen to passing cars. These activities all support the gradual training process. However, be careful not to go to places where it is easy to get infected with diseases, such as hospitals, agricultural markets, etc.
2. Spend more time with brothers and sisters. If possible, let the puppy spend more time with its brothers and sisters after it is born. Many experiments show that puppies raised with their mother and siblings for over 3 weeks interact better with other dogs as adults. Puppies that are left alone or kept in cages often develop bad traits. They may become shy, timid, and hard to control as they grow up.
3. More contact with people. Generally, after 2 months, the dog owner can arrange for the puppy to meet with some friends as much as possible. Try to find people of different ages and personalities. Spend time with these people and play games with the puppy until the puppy can happily interact with them. This is the most basic and effective "socialization" training method - foundational for outdoor group training dog.
(If the puppy is shy or fearful of strangers during this process, the owner should not force it, but let it adapt gradually.)
4. More contact with other dogs. After the puppy is 3 months old, the dog owner should also let his puppy gradually play with other dogs. But here are two points to note: 1. Make sure to complete the basic immunization shots; 2. Do not play with big dogs to avoid injury; - consider outdoor dog training classes for safe interaction.
Dining etiquette training
Dogs, like children, need outdoor obedience training dog when eating. Otherwise, it is very easy for dogs to snatch food directly from their owners, which is neither safe nor polite. Here are some basic etiquette for dogs when eating.
The training method is:
1. Let the dog sit down. Place the food in front of the dog or let it smell the food to attract the dog's attention, then hold the food above the dog's head and ask the dog to sit down. The dog will usually look at the food intently, fearing that the food will suddenly disappear.
2. Place the food slowly one step away from the dog. If the dog rushes forward to eat the food, take the food away and don't let it eat. We need to let the dog hear the command "eat" before letting it eat.
3. When the dog sits down obediently, wait for about 5-10 seconds, then the owner can give the "eat" command and push the food to the dog. Note that the dog's mind is sensitive. Don’t make the dog wait too long at the start of training. This helps keep its motivation high and ensures the training is effective, especially for outdoor sessions.
Note:
- This training is easier for puppies to master. If it is a big dog, be careful not to get your hands scratched when the dog is protecting its food.
- Food is extremely attractive to dogs. If the dog's reaction is very strong, there is no need to force the dog to learn this training.
Don’t be afraid of veterinarians and beauticians
Dogs will inevitably go to the veterinary hospital for medical treatment and the beauty salon for beauty treatment. But for dogs, it is really scary to have a few strangers holding instruments and pressing them on the instrument table. So how can dogs not be afraid of veterinarians and beauticians?
1. First, place a table or writing desk at home and pretend it is an instrument table. At the same time, invite a few of your friends to pretend to be veterinarians or beauticians.
2. Ask a friend to come in, then slowly and gently carry the dog to the table, and give it some time to get used to being on a high place. Remember that the tabletop should not be too smooth, as slipping will increase the dog's fear. In addition, if it is winter and the tabletop is cool, it is best to bring a small mat for the dog to reduce the dog's discomfort.
3. Friends gather around and pretend to check. The owner should constantly touch the dog's body at this time, which will make the dog feel safe, and you can also give the dog some food as a reward.
4. Practice more and let the dog gradually adapt until it can calmly sit on the table and let everyone play with its ears, eyes, mouth, paws and buttocks. If the dog looks scared, like licking its lips or panting, help calm it down. If the dog stays calm during your friend's inspection, let your friend give it some food as a reward. This is a technique from advanced outdoor dog training.
Note:
After the dog gradually adapts at home, try to find more different people and practice with the dog in different places. This will be the best effect until the dog can accept being manipulated anywhere. For complex challenges, consider professional outdoor dog training programs.
