3 Ways to Prevent the Most Costly Training Mistake
This blog will take you about 5 minutes to read through.
Have you ever seen the adorable videos on social media of dogs who have been up to all kinds of trouble when their owners aren’t home? They look so cute and totally guilty around the trail of torn furniture and food boxes. They are so precious trying to hide from their owners or pointing to a second dog in the family as the culprit. Needless to say, this is all great for entertainment – but can be a very serious and very expensive problem in reality.
The most costly training mistake people make is not using Management.
Managing your dog is the best way to prevent them from harming themselves and/or causing damage to your home and belongings. Management takes on all kinds of different forms depending on what you use and where you use it. It is best to train your puppy using management as soon as you get him/her home. Be sure to introduce your dog to any form of management slowly in order for them to learn to love it.
The following 3 management methods are a great way to keep your pup healthy and out of harms way.
#1: Confine to a Safe Space
In your home, management can be a crate, cage or X pen that your dog stays in. You can also use barriers to confine your dog to a small area or room, or to prevent them from going into an area that is off limits. This type of management provides a safe space for your dog when you are not able to watch them -which means they won’t get into anything that can harm them. This keeps your dog healthy and saves you thousands of dollars on UNNECESSARY Vet visits for X rays, ultrasounds, medications, surgery or worse!!. And as an added BONUS – if introduced properly and used consistently, your dog will learn to love their ‘Safe Haven’ and not become anxious when left alone. Wow!! No separation anxiety!
#2: Fencing
Your dog loves to run free and should!! But remember, keeping your dog safe on your property is a must!!! There are dozens of fencing options for you to choose from. If you leave your dog unattended on your property, be aware of hazards such as wildlife, people entering the yard, weather and anything that your dog can chew, eat or injure itself on. It’s best not to leave your pet unattended, but if you must, be sure your fence is fool proof and use a monitoring system if you can.
#3: Leash
The best way to prevent your dog from getting injured on walks is to use a leash! Even the best “off leash” trained dogs can be tempted to run from their owners or not come back when they are called if something in the environment has their attention. Don’t take a chance on your dog’s life – use a leash and safe collar or harness to be sure your furever friend comes home with you.
