Learn how to train a rescue dog with our guide, featuring the best books for entrepreneurs that offer unique insights into leadership and discipline. Discover key exercises and techniques to build trust, control, and a strong bond with your rescue dog.
Meet Mac: A Rescue Dog Success Story
Look at this adorable face now. This is Mac, our 12-year-old Border Collie. When he was about nine years old, he came into our family. Even though Mac had some training previous to coming to us, we knew that we needed to give him motivation to listen to us. We needed to teach him that we were worth listening to.
Why Motivation is Key
If you’ve got a shelter dog, rehomed dog, or rescue dog, or maybe you have an adult dog that you really want to start training, there are a few exercises that you can do with them to give them a good foundation for learning. In today’s guide, I’m going to show you three separate exercises that you can do to build motivation, get more control, and really show your dog that you are worth listening to.
Understanding Your Dog’s Needs
We get all kinds of questions on our article asking about when someone should teach their dog a specific skill or how old their dog needs to be before they can move on to their dog’s next level of training. The reality is after about 16 weeks old, you can start to focus on all of your adult dog training skills. At that point, you really need to shift your focus to your dog’s level of understanding rather than how old they are.
The Importance of a Solid Foundation
There are a few really important things that you want to begin with because when your dog has learned these skills, you’ll start to see that their obedience training goes a lot more smoothly. Having a solid foundation of understanding about how to learn will really speed up your training process and make the whole thing make a lot more sense to your dog. So, let’s get started.
Building a Relationship: The First Step
You really want your adult dog to understand that it’s rewarding just being around you, checking in with you, and paying attention to you. Recently, Kayl and I dog-sat for a friend, and because we had absolutely no relationship with this new dog, there were a few quick exercises that we did with him. These are exactly the same exercises that you’re going to begin with when starting your adult dog training.
Exercise 1: Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called
We’re currently babysitting a Border Collie puppy named Final. He’s four months old, and I want to make absolutely sure that I can get control of him at any time, especially since he’s not my dog. So, we’re going to talk about three things that are going to make things a little easier.
Making the Collar a Positive Experience
One of the most important ways to get control of your dog is being able to reach down and take hold of their collar if you need to pick them up or hook their leash on. It’s really common when you go to reach your hand down that the dogs will play keep away, jumping just out of your reach. So, I’m going to work on teaching Final to actually choose coming close to me in order for me to take his collar.
I want to make this a really enjoyable experience, so I have some really tasty treats in my hand, which he is pretty keen about. I’m going to put them on his nose and then I’m going to first draw him towards me. You never want to reach out and grab your puppy as that can be a little bit intimidating. We’re going to work the opposite direction. I’m going to put the food on his nose, draw him in close, and while he’s snacking away, I’m going to slip my hand underneath and take hold of his collar. Once my hand is there, yes, good boy! I’m going to say “yes” and reward him multiple times. As soon as I’m done feeding, I’m going to let go because I want the most special part to be when my hand is actually in that collar.
Reinforcing Proximity
Now it’s really easy to forget not to bring the dog close in. So, one of the little helpful hints we can give you is to think about drawing your hands so close to your body that your hand actually touches your knee. That way, I can be sure that he is as close as he possibly can get before, I go ahead and take control. Good boy, yes!
Exercise 2: Building a Strong Association with Your Dog’s Name
There are going to be many times when I need Final to pay attention to me. So, what I need to do is build a lot of value for his name so that when he hears it, he knows really good things happen. This is a super easy game that hardly takes any time to do but really teaches the dog to have a great association with their name.
Name Recognition Game
I have several pieces of food ready here, and I’m literally going to call out his name right while he’s sitting here in front of me, and then I’m going to feed him one second later. So, it looks like this: “Final, Final, Final, good boy, Final.” It’s really important that you say the name first and then feed one second later. What I’m doing is associating his name with something really delicious.
Introducing Distractions
The next thing that we’re going to do is work through this with distraction. Final is convinced that there is something good, something delicious on the grass. So, I’m going to practice calling his name, and I expect him to stop sniffing and pay attention to me. If he does, I’m going to say “yes” and reward him very generously. If he doesn’t, I’m going to help him out with some of these treats.
Troubleshooting non-responses
If Final doesn’t respond as expected, I’ll say his name again and help him out by drawing his attention directly towards me with the treats. I’m not testing his name and crossing my fingers, hoping that he responds; I’m saying his name and then showing him what to expect. “Final, yes! Good boy.” We’ll keep practicing this until he understands what’s expected of him.
Adding Play as a Reward
This particular dog loves treats, but he also really loves to play with toys. So, I can also practice these same exercises using a toy as his reward. We can play a little game of tug, letting him know that I absolutely love what he’s doing.
Exercise 3: Maintaining Control with a Long Line
While practicing these exercises, I have this insanely long line on Final’s collar. This is to ensure he can have a little bit of freedom in my yard—our yard is pretty big back here—but I still always have control. When I let him out to go to the bathroom or just want to come out and play with him, maybe play Frisbee, I have this long line attached so that he can get about 25 feet away before I need to start to panic. From there, I can practice my response to his name, draw him in, and take his collar. This allows him to have some freedom while ensuring that I’m always in control of my dog.
Encouraging Your Dog to Come Towards You
Another common mistake that people often make is running towards their dog and trying to tackle or catch them when they’re not listening. We actually suggest that you do the total opposite. When you want your dog to come towards you, back away from them. That will ignite your dog’s chase drive, and they’ll be much more likely to run after you.
Being a Good Leader: The Key to Successful Training
It’s really important that your dog sees you as a good leader, someone who’s worth listening to—not because they have to, but because they want to. To be a great leader for your dog, you need to be three things: clear, consistent, and fair.
The Value of Stationary Exercises
Doing stationary exercises, like teaching them to wait, is not only a skill that you’re going to use often but also an exercise where you have lots of control. These kinds of skills are going to teach your dog to have a little bit of emotional control. With a reliable “wait,” your dog can sit in position as you go through the doorway or up the stairs.
Teaching the “Wait” Command
Let’s take a look at how you’re going to teach this skill. This is the method we’re going to try to level up your “wait” training. This is the kind of “wait” that you’re going to use to keep your dog from barging through doors or maybe in the parking lot. You’re going to ask your dog to wait before you let them out of a car or at any point on your walk. You can ask your dog to wait while you pick up something, and this is what you’re about to learn next.
Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching “Wait”
For this exercise, start with your dog at your side. We really want to build this “wait” on a foundation of success. In the early stages, we want lots of successful repetitions. Make it easy for Funke. Here’s what we’re going to
do: First, we’re going to tell him to wait, and then we’re going to wave our hand in front of his face like we’re saying “goodbye.” When we say the word “wait,” we want him to understand that it means to stay in position.
Gradually Increasing Difficulty
We’re going to ask Funke to wait, but rather than asking him to stay in that position for too long, we’ll release him from it very quickly. As he becomes more comfortable and understanding, we’ll increase the time he has to wait. Also, I will increase my distance from him, and that’s the biggest challenge.
Release Word: Teaching Your Dog When They Can Move
Our release word for this “wait” is “okay.” When you’re ready to let your dog go, wave your hand across your body as a visual signal and say “okay,” then encourage them to move.
Advanced “Wait” Training: With Distractions and Real-World Scenarios
As Funke becomes more skilled, we’ll add more distractions and try real-world situations like waiting before crossing the street, getting out of the car, or before I release him in the backyard. If Funke breaks the wait, we won’t reward him. We’ll start over and ensure that he understands the need to wait until released.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Good dog trainers know that taking advantage of natural training opportunities is key. Incorporate these exercises into your daily routine:
Meal Time Training
Use a portion of your dog’s meal to practice the “wait” command or the “leave it” game. Mealtimes provide the perfect opportunity to reinforce these behaviours in a controlled environment.
Training on the Go
Training doesn’t have to happen just in a formal session. Whether you’re out for a walk, in the backyard, or even indoors, take the opportunity to reinforce commands and behaviours whenever possible.
The Road to a Well-Behaved Dog
Training a rescue dog requires time, patience, and consistency. But the rewards of seeing your dog learn and grow in confidence are immeasurable. Now that you’re off to a great start with your adult dog training, remember that it’s not just about the great choices your dog makes; it’s also about the good choices you make as a leader. Being clear, consistent, and fair will make a huge difference in your dog’s listening skills.
Conclusion
Training a rescue dog is a journey that requires dedication and love. The bond that forms through consistent training and positive reinforcement is one that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re working on basic commands or advanced behaviours, remember that patience and understanding are key. Keep practicing these exercises, and you’ll see significant improvements in your rescue dog’s behaviour. Remember, the most important part of training is building a relationship based on trust and respect. With the right approach, your rescue dog will not only listen but will thrive in your care.
