Training Daily

Most people know that dogs need daily physical exercise, but how many people realize that dogs also need daily mental exercise?  Just like humans, dogs enjoy growing and learning.  Here are some helpful hints to make sure your dog gets his or her daily mental exercise:

• Just five.  Take five treats and five minutes.  Go through your dog's repertoire of tricks, making him or her earn each treat by doing at least five tricks.  That means in five minutes your dog will have done 25 tricks-not bad!
• Routine.  Make the training a routine.  Pick a time you can devote daily to your dog whether it's before breakfast, after you get home from work, or right before bed.  Find what works best for you and stick to it.

• Change it up.  While the time should be routine, make sure you switch up the order and type of tricks and commands.  It's no fun if it's one big memorized pattern (unless your stringing tricks together so that your dog learns to fetch your newspaper!)
• Plan.  Put your five minute session in your planner, your Ipod, your Google calendar, whatever you use to be organized.  This way, you'll be more likely to actually do it.
• Five extra.  Incorporate an extra five minute session once or twice a week.  During this session, work on teaching your dog something new.  Instead of feeding your dog dinner from the bowl, take the kibble and work on teaching the new command.  Treat constantly, have fun, and finish the session when the kibble is gone.

• Record.  Have a training journal.  Write down what your dog is good what, what he/she needs to work on, and what things you would like him/her to know.  Once a week, take the time to update it and write down any outstanding achievements.  Make a POA (plan of action) for the upcoming week.