If you train your dog in different locations, the odds that you’ll get good behavior will usually be stacked in your favor.
You know the old real estate saying, “Location, location, location.”
In dog training, location matters as well.
In fact, training your dog in different locations is a key ingredient to a well trained dog.
Don’t train your dog around distractions before he’s ready
It’s equally important to know that good dog behavior starts with where you first train your dog. This would be at home or in a very low distraction environment.
As he learns, you would branch out from there by adding distractions.
Foundation work comes first
There is always a sequence to training: Teach first, proof later.
That simply means you don’t add distractions before your dog learns his commands.
Once he’s learned his commands, then you can add your distractions. You should train your dog on his commands at a distance where your dog can do what you ask, like a down/stay, without breaking the command. Set him up to succeed.
A real life illustration
I see many families struggle to train their dog to behave around house guests. These guests often include their adult friends or their kid’s friends.
To train your dog to give you this behavior, the locations that would be important might be: the family room, the dining room, and the back yard and deck area where everyone usually gathers.
The obvious dog behaviors to control might include: jumping on house guests or kid friends in the family room, chasing kids in the back yard and deck area and begging at the table in the dining room.
Why location matters
Location matters because your dog learns to obey the commands you teach in the location in which you train.
Therefore, it becomes very important to plan your dog training strategy.
Begin your dog’s foundation work first in the home and in those different rooms and don’t forget the back yard.
This Is Important
Your strategy must include training your dog to do exactly what you want in those locations when you have friends over. You can’t just take away a bad behavior and not give your dog a good behavior to do instead. Critical!
Is it a solid down/stay? What about a really good “Place” command (go to his bed or mat)?
Know it. Teach it. Proof it.
That simply means that having a game plan is important. Know what command you want and where you want it. Teach your dog the command you need where you need it. Then proof your dog on those commands in those locations around people and kids.
By the way, if you don’t have kids and you have an active outdoor lifestyle which includes taking your dog hiking, camping or doing any other activity outside, the training is the same – your commands and locations are just different.
Congratulations! You’ve beat the odds!
Remember, daily training on leash is critical to your success. Have patience and know that in as few as six weeks you will have a different dog and one you can be proud of because you’ve beat the odds!
It’s critical to work with and train your dog in at least six different locations before you can know, for certain, he will unfailingly respond to the command(s) for which he was trained.
Also, the more your dog respects boundaries and personal space with you and your family in general, the easier this process will be.
Thanks for letting me share my dog training knowledge with you. Don’t be a stranger. Feel free to chat with me below. I’d love to hear what you think about changing up the locations to train your dog.
Remember: “Together, We Can Raise a Happy and Obedient Dog”
Jim Burwell is Houston’s most respected dog trainer for 25+ years, serving over 10,000 clients. Jim takes the science of dog training and makes it work in your home with your family and dog. He gives you the ability to get the same great behavior from your dog.
