Imagine this: your well-trained 1-year-old dog who passed all their puppy classes with flying colors is suddenly slow on the uptake for several commands. Could your precious efforts spent training your dog have been in vain? Not at all—it’s just time for an obedience refresher!
That’s right, our dogs can get out of practice with their training, especially with commands they don’t hear every day. Obedience is a use-it-or-lose-it kind of skill.
This means that without revisiting your dog’s training every so often, you may catch your previously well-behaved dog sniffing a few more spots of grass first before choosing to come when you call, or maybe even downright ignoring a "leave it" command when something particularly yummy falls on the floor.
The key is not to get angry or frustrated. Remember that this is a very normal phenomenon. Help your dog remember their manners by going back to training basics.
Pull out your dog’s absolute favorite treats and restart regular training sessions at home. Every time your dog follows your command, you are reminding them what a correct response ought to be and that good things happen when they follow commands.
You can also take advantage of everyday occurrences to work on basic commands while reaffirming good manners. For example, ask your dog to sit before going outside or to wait before getting a meal.
With every command successfully followed, your dog will return to their well-behaved self and the two of you will only grow closer from all the quality training time spent and yummy treats shared.
Find tasty, healthy treat options that your smarty-pants will love at Shop myVCA! >>
