If there’s one mistake I see dog owners make over and over again, it’s giving their dog too much freedom too soon. You want your dog to run FREE! I get that, believe me I do. Watching dogs run free on a hiking trail is what I live for! It’s my favorite moment for any dog I’ve trained. The first time I unclip the leash and let them truly be a dog! Nothing will make me happier than helping you get to the point you can unclip your dog’s leash with full confidence they will enjoy that freedom responsibly!
But here’s the reality: freedom is something that needs to be earned, not given all at once.
Think about it: Does your dog make good decisions when they have free reign while you’re gone? How about when you’re home? And how about off leash at the park? If your dog is making bad decisions in these situations, whether it’s:
Chewing on furniture
Getting into the trash
Digging up the yard
Or anything else
Those bad decision-making muscles are getting stronger every time they act out. The quickest way to undo those bad habits? Restrict your dog’s freedom.
Here’s what that might look like:
Less or No Unsupervised Time: If your dog is prone to making poor decisions when left alone, it’s time to dial back the freedom. This might mean keeping them in a smaller, dog-proofed area of the house or using a crate when you’re not home.
Leash Indoors: When you’re home, have your dog drag a leash around for a few days. This allows you to quickly step in and guide them when they’re about to make a bad decision. It’s like giving them training wheels!
Gradual Freedom: As your dog starts making better decisions, you can gradually give them more freedom. Start by giving them a bit more space in the house or allowing supervised time in the yard. The key is to open up your home and yard a little at a time, instead of all at once.
Remember: Every time your dog makes a good decision, they’re strengthening those good behavior muscles. Soon, they’ll learn that making good choices leads to more freedom. Once they make that connection in their brain, they will start trying a lot harder to obey the rules. This is a huge light bulb moment for your dog…
Good behavior = more freedom!
That right there is dog training gold! Your dog will never be the same again once this connection is made. I can’t wait to see that light bulb go on in your dog’s head.
My only question is, why haven’t you scheduled your dog’s free transformation session yet?
What type of training does your dog really need?