It is natural to want to be able to frolic around in woods and meadows with your dog(s). However, it is so very important to take time to strengthen foundations first and foremost. Good trainers will say this all the time. But what do we mean by this?
Before working out and about:
- ensure that your dog is behaving as they should, in the house (not just with you, but around visitors): place work, crate work, threshold training, manners, abiding by boundaries etc.
- ensure that engagement is at a high level in the house, before working out and about
- lead manners & heel work are solid
- have a solid understanding of marker words
Before giving off lead freedom:
- high engagement in all environments
- fabulous lead manners (loose lead and heel)
- solid recall
- immediate emergency stop (I use 'wait')
- leave and out/drop
- preferably a solid recall to heel
- neutrality around people and other animals
- ability to be calm when not moving at home and out and about
It is also so very important that once you unlock certain 'levels' that you don't forget about the basics. Structured walks are so very important and are NOT boring for your dog! My dogs are great (always room to progress), but I still work on the basics.
