When to Starting Giving Some Freedom Back

It’s SUPER IMPORTANT that your dog does not have ANY freedom to wander around the house off leash during the first 3 weeks of them going home for you to earn your dogs trust and respect and for them to believe the new lifestyle with you.

If you go too fast through the training process and give your dog freedom during the first 3 weeks of returning home, your dog will have not choice but to revert to their old patterns and behaviours because you are not earning their trust by controlling their resources and in their mind, you are not changing.

If you are not doing something with your dog (Doing something means – taking for a walk, brushing, playing with, pottying etc) your dog is placed or in the crate.

You will be rotating 3 things:

  1. Do something with your dog – go for a walk, play fetch, grooming – you and your dog are involved in the activity together
  2. Place your dog – I’m cooking, watching tv, reading a book, putting laundry away etc. Hang out with me
  3. Crate – I’m not home so to help you be successful even when I’m not home crate so the dog makes the right decisions and is calm and not overstimulated when you get home. Feed in the crate to ensure safety and calmness around other dogs and children

**If your dog is doing any of the following you are NOT READY for this step**

  • Not staying on placement
  • Stands or gets off the cot when not backtied.
  • Barking or whining on placement
  • Pulling or reacting on leash
  • Barging through the kennel/crate door
  • Growling, nipping etc
  • Barking or whining when someone comes to the door.
  • Gets off the cot when someone comes to the door.
  • Pushing through doorways
  • Jumping
  • Pottying training issues

When we start giving your dog freedom, it needs to be balanced with structure. This means if you are giving freedom you must give just as much structure. You CANNOT give all freedom, no structure.

Please ensure you click MARK COMPLETE after each lesson