Putting a harness on your dog can sometimes feel like a wrestling match, especially if your dog gets overly excited or anxious. I experienced this with my 75-pound dog, and I understand how chaotic it can be. Here's a step-by-step guide on how we transformed harness time from chaos to calm, which can help you achieve the same.
1. Make Walk Time Routine, Not Exciting
One of the first things we did was stop hyping up walk time. Instead of making it an event to get excited about, we treated it like any other part of the day, such as feeding or grooming. Dogs pick up on our emotions and behaviors, so staying calm and speaking in soft voices helps set the tone for your dog.
- Routine Establishment: Set a consistent schedule for walks. By doing this, your dog learns to expect the walk as part of the daily routine, rather than an exciting surprise.
- Calm Atmosphere: When it’s time for a walk, stay calm. Avoid using excited tones or quick movements that could get your dog riled up.
2. Use Treats to Encourage Calm Behavior
Treats can be incredibly effective in keeping your dog still and focused while you put on the harness. Here’s how we used treats to calm our dog:
- Sit Command: Teach your dog to sit and reward them with treats when they comply. Hold the treat higher than your dog’s nose to encourage them to sit up rather than lie down.
- Focus Command: Use the “watch me” command to have your dog make and maintain eye contact. This not only keeps them focused but also calms them. Hold a treat near your eyes and reward them for keeping eye contact.
Steps:
- Command Your Dog to Sit: Have your dog sit in a calm spot.
- Use Treats for Focus: Hold a treat higher than their nose to keep them sitting upright.
- Reward Calm Behavior: Only give the treat when they are calm and focused.
3. Teach the "Stand Up" Command
If your dog tends to flop down when you try to put on the harness, teaching the "stand up" command can be very helpful.
- Training to Stand: Hold a treat higher than your dog’s nose to encourage them to stand up. Reward them immediately once they stand.
- Consistent Practice: Practice this command regularly, so it becomes second nature to your dog.
Steps:
- Command to Stand Up: Use a treat to guide your dog into a standing position.
- Practice and Reward: Repeat this until your dog stands on command without hesitation.
4. Positive Reinforcement and Patience
Patience and positive reinforcement are key. If your dog refuses to cooperate, put the harness down and turn your back. This signals to your dog that their behavior is not getting them what they want.
- Consistency is Crucial: Be consistent with your approach. If your dog gets overly excited or misbehaves, calmly stop the process and wait for them to calm down.
- Reward Desired Behavior: Only proceed with putting on the harness when your dog is calm and responsive. Reward them with treats and praise.
Steps:
- Pause When Misbehaving: If your dog starts to act up, put the harness down and turn away.
- Wait for Calmness: Wait until your dog sits quietly and is ready to cooperate.
- Resume and Reward: Once calm, resume the process and reward your dog for good behavior.
5. Practical Harness Application
Finally, once your dog is calm and focused, it’s time to put on the harness.
- Designated Roles: If possible, have one person handle the treats and commands while another puts on the harness. This division of roles helps keep your dog focused and makes the process smoother.
- Gradual Process: If your dog is new to the harness, let them sniff and get used to it before putting it on. Gradually work up to fastening it completely.
Steps:
- One Person Handling Treats: One person should hold the treats and give commands.
- Second Person Applying Harness: The second person should gently slip the harness on the dog while they are focused on the treats.
- Reward and Praise: Once the harness is on, reward your dog immediately with treats and praise.
Conclusion
Transforming harness time from a chaotic event into a calm routine takes patience and consistency. By making walk time routine, using treats to encourage calm behavior, teaching the "stand up" command, and using positive reinforcement, you can make the harness process smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Stick to these steps, and you’ll find that your dog will become more cooperative and calmer over time.
Remember, every dog is different, and it may take some time for these techniques to fully take effect. Keep practicing and stay patient – your efforts will pay off, resulting in a more enjoyable walk for both you and your furry friend.