Dogs can be curious creatures, which can lead them places you don’t want them to be, such as certain rooms in your house or running across the street. Teaching your dog boundaries is an important step in keeping them inside or outside of specific spaces. Not sure how to teach your dog boundaries? Here’s a look at boundary training and dog obedience in Daytona Beach.
Boundary training is the practice of training your dog to not cross certain boundaries, such as entryways to specific rooms, streets, and more. It can also include teaching your dog certain behaviors, such as how to act when you answer the door. Knowing boundaries helps keep your dog safe.
At Russell’s K9 Academy, our boundary training addresses answering the door with manners, staying off the road, bolting out the door, freedom in the house with no playing, and boundary lines for off-limit rooms.
If you want to train your dog to stay within the boundary of your yard, start by showing your dog the visible boundary. This might include inserting flags along the property line, or using the curb or other visible marker. Next, with your dog on a short leash, walk your dog along the boundary without letting them cross it to help establish the boundary. Then, using a longer leash, allow your dog to walk up to the boundary. If they don’t cross the boundary, reward them. If they do cross the boundary, call them back into the yard and reward them for their return.
Before introducing your dog to the outdoor boundary, it can be helpful to practice targeting or click training inside. Have your dog touch their nose to a flag and then return to you for a reward. You can also click a clicker after they touch their nose to the flag to reward them for not crossing the flag and for returning to you. After some practice, place flags along the outdoor boundary, about one flag every eight to 10 feet. Then, walk your dog along the boundary, and give them room to explore on their own. Remember to reward your dog when they return to you instead of crossing the boundary.
For indoor boundary training, you’ll do something similar. If your dog is not allowed in a particular room, walk your dog on a short leash to that room and stop before crossing the boundary. Reward your dog for stopping at the boundary, then try again. Once your dog has practiced stopping at the boundary, take one step into the room. If your dog stays at the boundary, reward them. If your dog tries to cross the boundary, block them from entering the room. Repeat this step, and then try again but with taking more steps into the room while your dog waits at the boundary.
Remember, boundary training takes time. Your dog will likely not fully understand or abide by the boundaries you set on the first try, so it’s important to keep enforcing boundaries until your dog is properly trained.
Don’t want to do boundary training on your own? Consider hiring a professional K9 training specialist for dog obedience in Daytona Beach, such as Russell’s K9 Academy. Russell is a third generation certified dog trainer and behavioral specialist who works with all breeds of dogs. We offer a variety of training services in the Central Florida and Daytona Beach areas, including private in-home training, perimeter and boundary training, addressing behavior problems, K9 rehabilitation, and exercises. Click here to enroll in class today.
Stay updated on our news and events! Sign up to receive our newsletter.