A ZEN DOG IS AN OBEDIENT DOG

There are several basic skills and behaviours that will make your experience of dog ownership (whether a new puppy or an adult rescue) significantly more fulfilling and less stressful!

Mastering these commands and responses will help your dog to become the ideal companion.

WALKING ON AND OFF LEAD

Zen walk training will always begin on-lead.  Teaching your dog to walk with a slack lead;  never pulling, and being responsive voice commands, is a fundamental, shared, skill!

Of course, exercise is crucial to any dog's physical well being.  Walking your dog, however, has a far deeper role to play in their mental development and in reinforcing your relationship bond.  A walk also offers opportunities to increase their socialisation, and for you to practice the training skills that Zen will teach you, as outlined in training the owner.

Some things to consider;  your dog should always walk with you (whether on or off lead), rather than against you, making walks a stress free pleasure for both parties. . .  and when they want to stop and sniff, please give them the time, it goes a long way to satisfy their natural 'hunting' instinct!

DEPENDABLE RECALL

Recall starts now and is probably the most crucial command-based element of any dog's training.  An important factor once your dog has progressed to walking off-lead, recall is critical when exercising your dog in public spaces, such as dog-friendly beaches, where they are likely to come into contact with other dogs and people.  Tip:  The trick is to make yourself more interesting than the environment!  ;o)

TOILET TRAINING

For puppies:  Toilet training (or 'house training') is most relevant when bringing a new puppy into your home and should begin as soon as your pup arrives, however young.  The younger, in fact, the better. . .  both for the pup, and for your carpets!

For adult dogs:  Toilet re-training should also be considered to help rescue dogs adapt to their new environment (especially those that may have been in shelters for an extended period), or an existing pet that begins to develop poor toilet habits, possibly as a result of a change in circumstance causing canine stress and anxiety.

SOCIALISATION

For puppies:  Socialisation is an important aspect of preparing a puppy for adulthood.

Puppies need to be exposed as early as possible to the sights, sounds, smells and other stimuli that they are likely to encounter as an adult. . .  whilst learning how to behave around unfamiliar dogs and people is an essential life skill.  Please bear in mind, however, that external socialisation may not be possible before your puppy's vaccination program allows them to be taken out onto the streets or into public places.

For adult dogs:  The introduction of a new dog, another animal (or even a new baby!) into your home may also require a thoughtfully considered period of socialisation.

GROUP SESSIONS

There is no better way to promote positive socialisation in your puppy, or adult dog, than to bring them along to one of the regular Zen Dogs group coaching sessions.

These sessions are held across the region as venues become available. . .  and they are in great demand, so visit Zen Dogs on Facebook, 'like' the page and watch out for announcements!