Incorporate Training Into Your Everyday Life

There’s an assumption floating around that we have to be formal and rigid with training and that there needs to be a certain set and setting for it to occur. While that may be the case for the actual learning of a specific command, the real training occurs outside of your home and back yard, in the real world. The real world is random, chaotic, and likes to throw wing dings into your plans. It is where we “proof” our training to help us and our dogs filter all the distractions which are more novel and potent at the moment than our influence. In these videos we see examples of using the “PLACE” command.

Belle and I often hike in the woods, and it is easy for me to become absorbed in the hike while she gets lost in the wild scent of nature. However, it is precisely in these instances that we have a great opportunity to develop our connection, in that setting, through training.

In the first video, Belle and I are practicing “Place” on some cut logs from a fallen tree, which lays across an abandoned road. After making sure the logs were secure and could not roll, we practiced in the location. Belle is pretty athletic and loves to jump on logs all the time without being asked, however, on this occasion we did it with intention and timing. By doing this we are associating fun and excitement with a command. Also notice that no purchase of special equipment is needed to perform this activity.

As with all training, we want our dogs to “WANT” to perform what is asked. Training should be an engaging, bonding, and a character-building exercise for you both as a team!

You don’t have to make special hikes to the woods in order to perform this command, you can use manhole covers, picnic tables in a park,(as seen in the videos below), or an old tree stump. In your home, you can use a cushion or even the living room couch if you allow your dog on the furniture. And, in case you are wondering, YES, I let Belle sit where ever she wants. That’s how we roll in our home!

Belle interacting with 3 deer

Here we have Belle watching 3 young deer, one female, and 2 males. Belle is relaxed with no tension on the leash. All three are curious about us, but also wary, so there is a bit of an internal tug-o-war happening inside them. There is a moment when the female nudges one of the males to hang back at a safer distance and he does so, which I find very interesting. Then after a few moments, Belle lays down and throws her hips to the side, to present herself to the female deer at an angle, in a relaxed and non-threatening pose. This was communication, through body language, between 2 species and I felt privileged to witness.

Being non-reactive to wildlife

Clouds are rolling in the distance and a whispering breeze smells of rain. A young male deer is relaxing downwind from Belle, but I doubt we would stir him if he caught our scent. These deer live in an urban paradise of slow traffic and well-manicured gardens, full of food, tended by gardeners who mumble about them under their breath. Belle definitely smells him though and if she were to chase after him he would most certainly leap away with his tail in the air. I told Belle to down and wait. Allowing a moment of calm to happen then called her towards me so we could walk on. At first, I was speaking a bit too quiet for Belle to hear me clearly, but once she did, she calmly gets up and walks away then gives me a look for confirmation. I give her a pat on the side for a job well done. Hounds were bred for endless chases and it takes work to blunt this drive, but it can be done. I am not a hunter by any means. If I shoot anything, it’s with a camera. But if I were to hunt, I would not aim for this result. Hounds were developed for massive energy to exhaust their quarry, run it up a tree, and tell the hunter where they are with endless loud bays that can be heard for miles.. However, more hounds are finding their way to suburban neighborhoods and cities and will never be on a hunt, So we must help condition them to be less reactive to this innate drive, for their safety and the owner’s sanity.