3 Hacks To Improve Your Dog's Life

Dogs bring a smile to many faces and are the most popular pet in America. Nearly 40% of American households own at least one dog, and many families opt for two or more. So, how do you make life great for you, your dog, and your neighbors?

Train Your Dog To Be Calm

While the excited butt wiggle of greeting may warm your heart, excited dogs often display undesirable behaviors such as barking, lunging, and jumping. One of the most effective and easiest ways to reduce those outbursts is through training for calm.

How do you train your dog to be calm when you aren't actively asking for excitement? It's simple! Whenever you notice your dog laying down or behaving calmly, give your pup a treat. Over time, you'll see your dog defaulting to calm rather than over-the-top excitement.

Play Lots of Crate Games

Dogs have the best life when they can stay with their people for most of each day. That means making sure your dog travels well and behaves for things like baths and vet visits. The foundation of a good traveling pup is familiarity with kennel life. Make sure your dog is comfortable spending time in a kennel.

Crate games teach your dog to go into their kennels without a fuss and relax there until they come out. No, kennel training doesn't mean your dog spends endless hours in a crate. But, it does mean that when you need your dog to recover after surgery or chill on a plane ride; they know that their kennel is a safe space.

Practice Elimination Communication

Elimination communication is when you introduce cueing to the act of going to the bathroom. Housebreaking is tough, particularly with adult dogs that may have bad habits. However, adding a cue to eliminating is a great way to avoid hours of walking on rainy nights or in the snow. When it's important for your dog to go to the bathroom quickly, having a cue trained can make all the difference.

To train your dog to poop or pee when told, simply add the cue to your housebreaking efforts. You likely already take your dog out and lavish them with praise when they go potty outside. Add a cue word to the process and your dog will pick it up fairly quickly. If you're consistent, you'll have your pup finishing up when and where you choose so that you can enjoy the rest of your time outside.