Did you know that it is Train Your Dog Month? It can be tough to train your dog in the winter, but it is not impossible! You just need to be prepared. Make it fun as well! That is one of the many great things about having a dog, training and teaching is fun for both of you! Granted, going outside every 20 minutes while you house train may not be the most fun part, but neither is cleaning up your house of his mess. In honor of Train Your Dog Month, I’m sharing a few of my favorite dog training tips for any season! Check them out!
Related: Top Ten Dog Training Tips
Train Your Dog Month Dog Training Tips
Crate training
One thing I am super glad I did was crate train my dogs. Lola knows when I am putting my shoes on that I am leaving, and she jumps into her crate. She doesn’t need a treat; she just goes in. Makes my heart swell as her owner! Now my mom’s dog, on the other hand, will only go in when he knows there is a treat in there for him. He won’t go in even if I tell him to; he will lay on the floor on his back, and I have to pick him up. It’s also space they both know they can go to and rest and be away from us for a bit. Because let’s be honest, not everyone (dogs included) wants to be touch all the time.
House train
House training in the winter can be tough, on both of you! Unless you are lucky like me to live in the tropics (please, don’t send hate mail!) To be successful in house training your dog in the winter months, you want to be prepared for the elements. Keep him warm with a coat. It is not just a fashion statement and I promise, he won’t be made fun of by the other dogs. You might even want to invest in a good pair of boots for him if you get a lot of ice and snow. The chemicals that they use to de-ice the roads and sidewalks can really damage their pads. Teach him a command such as ‘Do your business’ when you are outside and he will learn that is why he out there. The more you do it, the faster he can get at it and not just think that he is out for a romp in the snow!
Related: Tips for Walking Your Dog in the Winter Months
Fun tricks
I love teaching my dog fun tricks! It keeps their minds sharp plus it’s fun. My Lola will dance around in a circle (imagine a circus dog) while I hold her treat up in the air. She can stand and circle around for a long time! So seeing this, my pit started to do the same thing. It’s a bit more comical watching 70 pounds of muscle try to stand on her hind legs and dance around in a circle. Get creative, check out YouTube. My all time fave has been when people can teach their dogs to not eat the treat as it sits on their nose. I have not got my Lola to master this yet.
Training your dog is great bonding time for the two of you! He will learn that you are the master, and he will love all the praise (and treats, you need lots of treats) you give him. Winter can be tough; you can’t spend quite as much time outside in the fresh air as you might want to. Make the best of it! Do some indoor training and games. Have fun!
