As a dog trainer in Chandler and Phoenix, I’ve worked with hundreds of dogs displaying aggressive behaviors. In most cases, the root causes stem from limited socialization during puppyhood, inconsistent leadership from the dog owner, and too much freedom before the dog has learned proper structure.

Here are four practical ways to prevent dog aggression and build a calmer, more balanced dog.

Establish Healthy Limits Regarding Food and Toys

Resource guarding is when a dog becomes possessive of food, toys, or space. It is one of the most common triggers of aggression. This type of aggression needs to be addressed early. When you bring your new puppy home, you must establish early that nothing belongs to them.

From day one, practice a simple “give and take” routine with bones and chew toys. Hand your dog a chew, then calmly take it back after a few minutes and return it. Repeat this regularly so your dog learns that items of value come from you and that giving them up is safe and normal.

For meals, ask your dog to sit and wait before you put their bowl down. This small practice reinforces that meals are earned, not automatic.  It also puts you in a calm, leading role at every feeding.

Lead Every Walk  No More “Ski Boat” Walks

If your dog is pulling you down the street, they’re leading your walks and that matters more than you might think. Dogs that consistently lead on walks are more likely to develop pushy or assertive behavior over time, particularly in herding, working, and sporting breeds such as Australian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Huskies. As these dogs are born and bred to lead, you risk them becoming “Alpha” if they’re not shown the proper pack order sequence.

To combat this, start before you even leave the house. First, ask your dog to wait at the door while you step out first. Next, walk with your dog at your side or just behind you. Keep the leash short and taught, limiting their freedom. Eventually, they will get the idea that you are in charge of the walk, and they are not to pull you or lead the way.

Small, consistent habits like this communicate structure and help your dog relax into a role of following.

Socialize Your Puppy Early

The first year of a dog’s life is a critical period for them to develop socially. Dogs that aren’t regularly exposed to other calm dogs and a variety of people are far more likely to develop fear-based or reactive behaviour later. The key here is to show your puppy as much of the world as possible, but in a controlled manner.

Typically, your vet will recommend quarantining your puppy until they’re 16 weeks old, just to give enough time for the vaccinations to be completed. Until then, you can look for safe opportunities for socialization, such as puppy classes, playdates with healthy, vaccinated dogs, or small-group settings with friends’ and family’s pets. Quality, calm interactions with well-mannered dogs will go a long way and be more beneficial than chaotic dog park visits.
 

Dog parks can be a good option if the environment is clean and the dogs present are healthy and balanced. If you are ever unsure, a structured puppy class is the safest and most effective way to socialize early.

Make Your Dog Work for Everything

One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent dog aggression is also one of the most overlooked: make them work for, and earn their rewards.

When we say this, we don’t mean put your dog through a physical task or obstacle course before they get a meal or treat.

Try things like: asking them to sit before the food bowl goes down, telling them to “wait” at the curb before crossing the street, or asking for a calm “sit” before heading out the door. These small moments of structure add up, and they keep your dog mentally engaged. They will look to you for direction and are far less likely to act out as they know you’ll provide guidance.

Build a Strong Bond That Prevents Problems

Preventing dog aggression isn’t about being dominant; it’s about consistency. Dogs thrive the most when they have clear, calm leadership, regular socialization, and a sense of structure in their daily life. When those things are in place, most dogs settle naturally into a relaxed, confident state.

If your dog is already showing signs of aggression or reactivity, early intervention makes a significant difference. If you need professional help, contact Doggie Steps Dog Training to learn about our aggression and behaviour programs.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post How to Prevent Dog Aggression: Four Tips from a Chandler Dog Trainer appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

Learning the basics of potty training before bringing home a new puppy can make the process much smoother. With proper preparation, you’ll be better equipped to teach your dog where and when to go. In this blog, we’ll walk through the key tips and steps to help you successfully potty train your dog.

Potty Training Basics to Know Before Getting Started

On average, it takes 4-8 months for your puppy to be fully potty trained. Any trainer or owner who says otherwise most likely had a miracle puppy. With extreme commitment and discipline, your timeframe could be shorter. A consistent routine and clear expectations will get your puppy trained fastest. By following the tips below, you’ll be calling the carpet cleaner less often.

Crate Training

Crate training is the most effective method to potty train your puppy. Having a crate teaches your dog about control. Not only will your dog learn not to potty where they sleep, but it will also keep your puppy calm, submissive, and safe when you’re gone. Their crate will become their safe space in your home, much like your bedroom is a comfortable space for you.

Choose a crate that allows your puppy just enough room to stand up, stretch out, and turn around comfortably. The crate should not be so large that your puppy can use one end as a bathroom and the other to sleep. Most crates include a partition, so you can adjust the available space as your puppy grows. This helps ensure they form the right potty habits as they transition from a small puppy to their adult size.

For treats and chews in the crate, use only a hard bone. While potty training, avoid bedding in the crate so your puppy doesn’t confuse it with a pee-pad.

Learning Your Puppy’s Potty Signals

One of the most important potty-training basics is learning to recognize when your puppy is getting ready to eliminate. If you watch your dog closely for the following signs, it almost always means they are about to use the bathroom, whether they’re inside or outside.

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Common potty signals include:

• Sniffing the ground
• Walking in circles
• Suddenly stopping play
• Wandering toward doors
• Whining or pacing

The moment you notice your puppy doing any of these things, immediately take them to their designated potty spot outside. The faster you respond, the easier it will be for your pup to make the connection between needing to go and doing it outside.

Building a Routine and Rewarding Success

The biggest factor in successful puppy potty training is having a clear routine.  It’s important to understand that puppies can only hold their bladders for so long. To calculate how long they can hold it, add one hour to their age in months. For example, a two-month-old puppy can typically hold their bladder for about three hours before needing a potty break.

To help prevent accidents, we typically tell owners to take their puppy outside about 30 minutes after they eat, drink water, take a nap, playtime, and anytime after being in the crate. Consistency is how your puppy will learn expected times and places for bathroom breaks.

It’s also important to designate a specific “potty spot” outside and bring your puppy to that same location every time. Dogs rely heavily on scent, and returning to the same spot helps them understand that this is where they should eliminate.

When your puppy goes potty in the correct place, reward them immediately with praise and a small treat. Timing matters, so make sure the reward happens right after they finish going.  This helps your puppy clearly connect the reward with the correct behavior.

Over time, this combination of routine, repetition, and positive reinforcement will help your puppy understand exactly where they should go, making potty training much easier for both of you.

Cleaning Up Accidents to Prevent Future Ones

During the early stages of potty training, accidents are bound to happen. Your puppy is still learning and adjusting to their environment. Punishment after accidents will only set you back in your training and make things difficult for you and your furry friend.

If your pup has an accident inside the house, it is imperative that you clean it up properly. Since dogs rely so much on their keen sense of smell, they may be likely to return to the same spot in the house to go potty again if it’s not wiped away. This is due to enzymes present in their urine.

To eliminate this, use an enzyme-based cleaner specifically formulated to clean up pet accidents. This will help prevent repeated mistakes and further support your dog in going to the right places outside.

House training your dog can take patience, consistency, and a clear plan. As long as you understand the fundamental potty training basics: crate training, knowing the potty training signals, building a routine, and properly cleaning up accidents, you will help your puppy develop good habits a lot quicker!

We here at Doggie Steps Dog Training in Phoenix, Arizona, are here and ready to support you through every stage of puppy training. You do not have to do this alone. Check out our puppy training services if you ever need assistance. Our puppy training programs are designed to help set your dog up for long-term success!

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post Potty Training Basics for Puppies: Simple Steps That Work appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

Having problems with your dog counter surfing? Ikes!! A kitchen counter is a place which should be kept clean and healthy for kids and other family members to enjoy their meals.

Having a meal on the counter is fine. Having a meal on the counter and your dog interfering by counter surfing? Now this is an issue to give a serious thought. This is where dog training can play a vital role is your dogs development. If you have a dog which interferes by jumping on the counter, then don’t just sit there and gape. Take dog training action! A dog jumping on the counter is a green light for any accident that can happen within seconds.

Once you see your dog’s paws on the counter top, make sure it will not only result in a mess, but also it can cause your dog to suffer from food poisoning.

The following 4 dog training counter surfing tips can help put an end to your dog’s counter surfing:

• Identify the counter on which the dog mostly jumps. Paw prints, fur, or both can help you identify it.
• Remove all items from the counter, which can cause harm to your dog.

1. Line the specific counter with tinfoil. It will startle the dog once he jumps on the counter. The noise will make him alarmed that his owner will know about him counter surfing.
2. Use a “can of pennies”. Fill a can with pennies and “shake” whenever your dog is about to counter surf. Soon, he will predict the sound, and re-consider or STOP counter surfing. The noise will condition him NOT to counter surf.
3. Use the “off” command. If your dog is seen on counter, use the “off” command to train him to get “off” the counter. For more about the “off” command read THIS.
4. ONLY feed your dog FROM his dog bowl!! No food ever from the kitchen table OR counter top. He will then learn that his only dog food source is from his dog bowl, NOT the counter top.

Dogs counter surfing can be eliminated with the help of the correct dog training daily routines. Practice the above dog training tips and soon Fido will only be eating from his dog bowl.

Happy Phoenix dog training!

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post 4 Tips To Keep Your Dog From Counter Surfing appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

Below are the 3 most popular dog training stay commands, dog sit stay, dog stand stay, and dog down stay.

1. Dog sit stay. Dog sit stay will be one of the most used dog stay commands. Dog sit stay I recommend using whenever you DON’T know what to command your dog to do! It will most often give you enough time to connect to your next dog training command. Application: Before playing fetch with your dog, command dog sit stay.

2. Dog stand stay. Dog stand stay is a dog stay command that will be used most often when your dog is CALM! YES!! There actually are times when your dog is calm. So, if your dogs energy is mild, begin using the dog stand stay command. A dog standing is all 4 dog paws on the ground, which if the dogs energy is more high strung, will be a bit harder for your dog to stand stay. So, be sure the dogs energy is mild. Application: Before leaving the front door on a dog walk OR crossing the street, command dog stand stay.

3. Dog down stay. Dog down stay is a dog stay command that will be used most often when your dog is HYPER or needs to be disciplined. In a dog pack, a dog is corrected by an alpha pack leader dog with a dog down stay. So, if your dog is displaying high energy, OR needs to be disciplined for unwanted dog behaviors, use the dog down stay. Application: Excessive dog jumping OR extreme high dog energy, command dog down stay.

Making your dog stay is easy and will ultimately improve overall dog energy. By practicing and knowing when to use the dog sit stay, dog stand stay, and dog down stay, you will see improved dog training obedience and better overall control of your dog.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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Why do dogs jump? Dogs jump for a variety of reasons. Through daily dog training you will see a HUGE decrease in your dog jumping with the use of daily dog training commands.

The MAIN reason why a dog jumps is the instinctual desire to receive food from the mouth of its mother. So, from a very young age, your dog will begin to jump with the expecation of receiving food. How do we control your dog jumping? Below are a few tips!

1. Turn sideways. As easy as this sounds, while dog training, if your dog attempts to jump on you, just turn sideways. Have you ever been to a dog park and observed dogs at play? What do dogs do to avoid being jumped on? They turn sideways. This simple tip will help control your dogs jumping. For MORE info. on training your dog not to jump read THIS.

2. “OFF” command. To train your dog not to jump, begin using the “off” command. Find a large object..i.e..ledge or rock, that your dog IS allowed on. Next, have your dog jump on the item. Finally, command “off” and have your dog jump off the item. By doing this exercise routinely, your dog will learn to get off of items they are not allowed on..i.e..couch, bed, and you!

Dog training is no different than any other daily discipline you are looking to improve. Try to incorporate the “off” command into your daily dog walk on raised sewer ledges, rocks, or picnic table benches, and in no time at all your dog will be trained with this new dog training command.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post Why Do Dogs Jump? appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

Successful dog training will take place in three main settings: In the home, in the driveway, and finally at your local park. The key to training your dog will be focus, “trigger” reduction, and general obedience control. These disciplines can all be achieved once your dog has the training basics mastered.

1. In the home. The best environment to begin training your dog is in the home. With this 1st dog training phase it is recommended to use treats to condition your dog to general dog training commands. Inside the house will limit any major distractions to your dog and give you the best initial training results. Try training in a room that is quiet with little external noise or distractions. As your dog progresses with focus and eye contact, change to a room with a little more noise to increase his attention span. Once your dog is able to proficiently obey your vocal and visual basic dog training commands, you now know its time to take him to the next level!

Training commands to concentrate on in the home will be: sit, leave it/take, leave it/good leave it, off, and stay.

2. In the driveway. The next step to advance your dogs focus and dog training intensity will be in your driveway or just outside your home. This environment will now provide increased noise, distractions, smells, and motion to distract and create “triggers” for your dog. You will now want to begin decreasing the food treats as a training reward, and begin with more vocal affirmation and physical touch for praise conditioning. For more on dog training reward methods read THIS. Practice your normal inside the home dog training commands to begin getting more focus and concentration from your dog. You will also now begin using the “watch me” command. Put a treat next to your eye and command “watch me”. You will use this command for added focus from your dog if a potential distraction occurs in the field.

3. At the park. Finally, dog training at your local park. This outdoor park environment will prove to be the most distracting for your dog. You can expect to encounter playgrounds with children, bikes, skateboards, and other walking dogs. All of this “motion” in the park will create prey triggers with your dog where now all your hard dog training command work in the home and in the driveway will pay off! It is at this stage that you will begin using NO more training treats unless absolutely necessary. The goal now is for your dog to listen to you with the expectation of only vocal affirmation or physical touch as a reward method. All of your dog training command work can now be done on the walk giving your dog a more mental and physical challenge in the field.

By following these three dog training placement settings, you can expect your dog to have the best dog training results! If you notice your dog is digressing in a certain setting, just return to the previous stage for a few days of review work. In no time at all you will be walking anywhere you want in public with the best trained dog on the block!

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post Where Is The Best Place To Train My Dog? appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

A dog’s energy is generally determined by the overall energy of the other animals and humans around it. This is easiest to see when you have a multiple dog pack. Within minutes, one dog can begin a flurry of excitement among all! If your home has been turned into the Talladega Superspeedway, follow the simple tips below to restore harmony with your dogs:

1. Zip it. My favorite calming technique is the verbal silencing command called ZIP IT. This is a command originated by DOGGIE STEPS and is very effective in connecting with a dogs mind set to eliminate and silence barking. I like to give my dogs a 5-7 bark limit. After the 7 th bark, I command, ZIP IT. Once they have silenced, I praise with voice, affection, and possibly food. In time, your pooch will adhere to the verbal address of ZIP IT and the reward that follows.
2. 5 in 1. For many of my high-energy/aggressive cases I always want to give the dog a “job” or “alternate” task to complete when it appears that the energy is escalating into an unfocused channel. I teach agility commands to accomplish this. 5 in 1 is a term DOGGIE STEPS uses to channel a dog’s energy on a table command. Find a raised platform (i.e.,concrete block or picnic table) and begin a command sequence with, table (or up), sit, down, stay, and off. There you have it! Five commands in one exercise! Not only will this exercise work your dog mentally and physically, but will offer you an alternate task when confronted with an unbalanced energy challenge. When the 5 in 1 exercise is completed in a set of three or more reps, it can also be referred to as “increment” training.
3. Party’s Over. In order to obtain control and encourage calmness in your dog, they must know when the “off” switch has been flipped. As discussed with the “Zip It” command, your dog must have an understanding of the energy you are willing to tolerate. Party’s over is a term I use when a dog play-time session has lasted long enough, and I now want to gain calmness within the pack. When that time arrives, address your dog pack as “Dogs!” and command, party’s over! Place your body in the middle of the dogs to illustrate boundaries. If the dogs continue to play, bite, or chase, address your command again and continue your body blocks. Over time, your pack will learn that a play session has now ended, and the “off” switch has been flipped.
4. The importance of the Release. With many of the commands I teach (i.e., leave it/take, heel/go play), it is vital that your dog makes the connection with the appropriate release. Once you observe increased calmness with the “Off” switch, you can now begin to release your dog for normal play energy. I then use “go play” or “free” to signal my dog that they are now free to play or run.

So, for all you NASCAR fans out there, let’s keep the high energy races on the race track and NOT in the living room! Dogs are extremely perceptive to a pack leaders energy and will begin to mimic your presented calmness when need be. Stay focused with these new tips, and you’ll be crossing the checkered flag in no time!

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post The “Off” switch – How to bring “calmness” to your dog appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

Does your dog ever jump on the patio picnic table or your living room couch? If yes, dog agility is in your dogs future! Dog agility benefits dogs by not only providing a job to do, but a alternate activity to refocus stress, dog anxiety, and dog aggressive tendencies. By conditioning your dog with daily dog agility obstacle exercises, you will notice more calmness and control with your dog.

1. Table. Table obstacle is a 3ft. by 3ft. platform where the dog will do a down/stay command for up to 5 seconds. This hold time will provide focus and added control so the dog becomes more conditioned for calmness and stress reduction. I teach my customers with high “prey” driven dogs or mild aggressive dogs to use the table command as a distraction technique for any oncoming potential “trigger” response stimulus, i.e. dogs, bikes, or skateboards. Begin looking for obstacles on your walk you can use for the table command, i.e. picnic tables, large rocks, or park benches.

2. Over. The over obstacle can be used with either a single or multiple raised obstacle. The appropriate height will be determined on the athleticism and energy of your dog. Of course, never judge a dog by its cover! Certain breeds like Jack Russell Terriers have been know to jump upwards of 6ft. Begin looking for obstacles on your walk you can use for the over command, i.e. parking curbs, picnic table benches, or fallen logs.

3. Under. The under command can be used to have your dog go under a obstacle such as a picnic table bench, local sign, or any small enclosed area. The benefit of the under command is decreased anxiety and claustrophobia in small spaces. The under command is most beneficial to smaller prey driven dogs.

By routinely practicing the 3 mentioned agility commands you will see great dog training results from your dog. Not only will your dog develop increased focus and attention span, but through the use of agility a greater mental and physical challenge as well.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post Top 3 Agility Commands For Successful Dog Training appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

1. “Leave It” command. In ALL my classes, I teach an elementary dog training command called “leave it.” This will train the dog to leave (not eat, chew, or bite) a certain item or food dropping. This will also teach your dog the basics of “stopping” or “halting” if they are tempted to have continuous motion towards an unwanted item. Certain dogs have a much higher prey drive (i.e. hunting and scent retrieval breeds), but with the right training they can limit the energy to decrease their drive.
2. Alternate activity. I often let customers know that the saying is often true about cats and dogs. I can show them how to “manage” the environment, but there is NO guarantee that the animals will live in complete harmony. It is just the true nature of the animal drive and the animal hierarchy. In reference to “alternate activities”, I want the dog to begin to view a cat, bird, new-born baby, or any other motion sensory object as a “pack member”. Begin to introduce a succulent meat item, a favorite toy, or an agility exercise to divert the dog’s attention AWAY from the motion object, and onto a different activity. Over time, the dog will learn to seek out the alternate activity and eventually decrease its desire to stalk the inappropriate object.

Oftentimes humans forget where dogs come from. They are derived from Gray Wolves and still on occasion will exhibit some instinctive forms of wild behaviors. Even though they NOW eat from our food bowls, keep a sharp eye out just in case Bugs Bunny stops by for a visit.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

The post “Prey vs. Play” How to control your dogs natural prey drive appeared first on Doggie Steps Dog Training.

Off-leash obedience takes time, repetition, and your dog’s awareness that YOU are the pack leader. Through daily exercises and by using a stern-voiced recall, followed by a treat and strong praise/affection, your dog may have what it takes to play fetch unleashed. To see if your off-leash dream can become a reality, follow the simple tips below:

1. Off-leash at your local baseball diamond. A great way to get your dog prepared for off-leash obedience is to work with him at an enclosed baseball diamond. Find a local ball diamond and arrive early or late in the day to ensure you will be the only ones there. Go prepared with a leash and poop bag to pick up after your dog. Enter the ball diamond and be sure ALL gates are closed behind you. Release your dog from the leash and begin to walk the perimeter of the park. After only a few times of this routine, your dog will begin to follow/come to you! You can also practice running backwards combined with the “come” command in the ballpark. For a local ball diamond near you check out: http://phoenix.gov/parks/
2. 50-foot lead. Next, your dog must link the off-leash connection at the ball park to the eventual freedom in an open park/field setting. To achieve this, purchase a 50 foot training lead from: http://www.choicepetmarket.com/ With the 50 foot lead, go to your local park or greenbelt and tie one end of the lead to your dog and the other to your waist. The purpose of this long lead is to teach your dog that he has a 50 foot radius in which to roam. If he goes straight right, you go straight left. Just as the lead is about to get taut, you will command “come!” and continue walking in the opposite direction as your dog. In time, a boundary will be set, and your dog will not exceed the 50 foot radius. Practice this exercise often until your dog no longer exceeds the entire length of the 50 foot lead.
3. Playtime with dogs already off-leash trained. With your dog now familiar with a 50 foot boundary, its time to acclimate him to a play environment with dogs already trained to be off- leash. I often help customers with this by bringing my two Australian Shepherds. Having dogs that STAY close to the handler off lead will keep a new dog close to the pack 90% of the time. If you see any oncoming passersby with or without dogs, leash up your dog to ensure they don’t run. If your dog begins to stray from the pack on this exercise, you may want to have a 4 foot lead attached just to stop your dog. If your dog roams and doesn’t stay with the pack, repeat tips 1 & 2 for a few more weeks.
4. Finally, off leash with lead still attached. You’re almost there! Now that your dog knows its boundaries and has run with an off-lead trained pack, you now can do the final test. Pick an early morning and go to your local park/field. Take some tasty treats and a ball with which to play fetch. Be sure no other passersby are near and drop your lead. Have your dog explore with the lead ON to be sure you can stop him if he strays. After you’re sure the boundary is being obeyed, you can then remove the leash and your dream has come true!

Off leash obedience can be achieved with time and patience. As stated earlier, this is NOT for every dog. After you have tried tips 1 & 2 you will have good idea if your dog will have the capacity to achieve off-leash obedience. Please also be aware of your local OFF LEASH LAWS. I’d recommend off-lead work ONLY for exercises like fetch or general retrieval. Otherwise, for safety and dog etiquette, have your dog remain leashed.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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