When bringing a new dog inside of the home for the first time or training your current family companion to be inside full time, house-training guidelines are a must. The goal is to teach the dog and family members the correct structured guidelines and expectations when inside. Daily training creates a clear and consistent foundation that will last a lifetime for the entire family. This article focuses on introducing your dog into the home using the following tools: leash management, crate training and “place” command.
When your dog enters the home, they should always be on a 3-to-6-foot leash with supervision. Allowing the dog free rein inside your home during this introduction phase may result in unwanted behaviors, such as jumping on furniture, marking and chewing. Having control of your dog inside the home with proper leash management allows you the ability to reinforce desired obedience as well as sets clear guidelines for your dog about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Always remember, you cannot supervise what you cannot see. Whenever your dog has free run of the home, unwanted behaviors can turn into negative associations.
Crate Training
Once we have started leash management inside the home, the next step is getting your dog acclimated to their crate. When we do not have time for direct supervision, we can place our dog into their crate for short periods of time. Prior to entering the crate, have your dog come to a “sit” position. Once sitting, use their momentum to enter the crate by simultaneously tossing a treat and saying “kennel” (or whatever you prefer to call it).
Each time your dog exits the crate they should be walked directly outside of the home and given an opportunity for a bathroom break in your preferred area. During this time, dogs should be on leash as much as possible until they understand the routine. Crates are ideal especially when training your dog to go potty in specific locations outside. This prevents two things specifically: unwanted bathroom breaks inside the home and preventing separation anxiety. Utilizing the crate will allow you the freedom to go about your day while your dog is in a secure area. If you are always directly with your dog and reluctant to utilize a crate, your dog will most likely start whining, barking, being anxious and engaging in destructive behavior. Whenever passing by your dog inside the crate, family members can reward them with a treat to help reinforce the crate as a positive association.
Place Training
We use dog beds as a “place training” target and they are strategically placed throughout the home in the most commonly used rooms, such as the family room, living room and office.
Use the following steps for introducing the place command:
1. Keep your dog on-leash as you enter the room.
2. Walk to the dog bed and drop a treat onto it, simultaneously giving the place command.
3. Assist your dog into a “down” position and reward with a treat.
Your dog will learn through repetition that the dog bed is a rewarding spot and they will continue to be rewarded with prolonged duration. If your dog knows how to lay down, then you should always reinforce that command which will eventually lead to a routine down position on the dog bed. If your dog gets up and walks away, it is crucial to immediately return your dog to the bed with the place command. Your dog will become comfortable and confident through clear and consistent repletion.
These simple guidelines can provide your dog with a long-lasting training foundation and enhance the relationship between canine and family.
Author Rodney Spicer began training dogs in 1985 and founded Gold Coast K9 in 1991. Today Gold Coast K9 provides dog training to over 100 law enforcement agencies, families and corporate clients. Contact Gold Coast K9s at Rodney@goldcoastk9.com or learn more at GoldCoastK9.com and on Instagram at goldcoastk9.
