New Year, New Dog

Have you heard of canine behavioral wellness? It’s like self-care, but for your dog. If that makes you envision your dog on a yoga mat, think again. (Or try Doga, it’s a real activity.) Canine behavioral wellness is about ensuring your dog’s four needs are met: Nutrition, Exercise, Relaxation, and Enrichment. A well-balanced, adequately stimulated pup is a pup that’s ready and able to follow along with any training plan. Check out a few New Year’s Resolution ideas below that will help you provide for all of your dog’s needs.

Give up street meat

Does your dog have a habit of scarfing things up off of the ground? Perhaps 2022 can be the year your pet finally learns to give up their ground grazing habit. Your dog will most likely strongly disagree with your plan to remove leftover chicken bones, discarded takeout boxes, and delicious goose poop from their diet, so it’s up to you to train a good, strong Leave It and Drop It.

If that half-eaten pizza crust on the ground proves too great a challenge, AGDT’s Ground Grazers Workshop, beginning February 19th, can help your dog stick to your new resolution!

Embrace the call of the wild

Just as humans need the great outdoors for mental and emotional health, so do our pets. Every day, dogs resist the urge to chase squirrels or walk faster than a leash allows, and they do this because they love us (and because of the reinforcement we provide for great leash manners). But dogs still need space to be dogs—free to explore and run without constraint. 

The problem is that the lure of chasing a squirrel into the woods can overwhelm a healthy fear of being hit by a car. Since we humans naturally retain our fear of cars in the presence of squirrels, teaching our dogs a strong, reliable recall gives them off-leash access to nature without compromising safety.

The more reliable a dog’s recall, the more freedom they get. Start by working on it in calm environments, then build up to areas with more distractions until your dog can be trusted to return no matter what. The core of recall training is teaching your dog that being near you is the best, most fun place they can be. As a bonus? This strengthens the bond between you both! For dogs that aren’t quite there yet, a long training lead is a solid compromise between access and safety. For those looking to work specifically on strengthening their recall, AGDT’s Recall Workshop, which begins this spring, is the perfect option for dogs who will be out and about in the warmer months!

Let sleeping dogs lie

Did you know adult dogs need 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day?

Just like humans (are you sensing a theme?), dogs need to hit the off-switch and just chill. Adequate rest is a core component of everyone’s self-care routine. But sometimes dogs could use our help getting there.

A dog that can relax in a variety of environments is a dog that is comfortable and confident in those spaces. Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol is a structured introduction to mat training and a favorite for dog parents  and trainers alike. At higher levels, you can use it to train dogs to lie down and ignore the hubbub of outdoor dining or bars, letting your dog join you on outings without getting overwhelmed.

Play mind games and brainteasers

We all know that the way to a dog’s heart is through their stomach. It turns out, that’s the way to their brain too. When dogs aren’t sleeping, they appreciate having something to do. And if your pup always seems to be getting into something, that’s a clear indicator they’ve got some excess energy to burn.

Mental stimulation is incredibly valuable for a dog’s emotional health, keeping them from getting bored or developing destructive habits. Indoor enrichment in the form of Kongs, puzzle feeders, and sniffer mats can keep your dog’s nose busy, their stomach full, and their mind away from the trash can. 

If you’re interested in pursuing more intensive additional training, Amanda Gagnon Dog Training offers tailored workshops, agility training, group classes, and so much more!