Michigan Dog Training is dedicated to fostering well-behaved, confident dogs through comprehensive and adaptable training programs. One of our key training philosophies is exposing dogs to various environments to ensure their obedience and skills are reliable in any situation. This approach is exemplified in our recent training sessions at the newly opened Boulder Garden Park at the Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve in Southfield, Michigan.
Recently, Michael Burkey, Stormy Diehr and Jackie Griffin took Cora, a Labrador Retriever who is participating in Michigan Dog Training’s (MDT) Board and Train program and Riley, a mixed breed, who is with us for boarding, to the Boulder Garden Park to practice their skills in a new challenging environment.
The Importance of Diverse Training Locations
Training dogs in a variety of environments is crucial for several reasons:
- Generalization of Commands: Dogs need to learn that commands apply everywhere, not just in familiar settings. By practicing in different locations, dogs understand that obedience is required regardless of the environment.
- Distraction Management: Public spaces introduce numerous distractions such as other dogs, people, noises, and scents. Training in these settings helps dogs learn to focus on their handlers despite these distractions.
- Confidence Building: New environments can be intimidating for dogs. Regular exposure to different places helps build their confidence, making them more adaptable and less anxious in new situations.
Boulder Garden Park: A Perfect Training Ground
The Boulder Garden Park in Southfield offers an ideal setting for dog training. Its varied terrain, scenic views, and public accessibility make it an excellent place to practice obedience skills especially the “place” command that were first taught in less distracting environments.
Loose Leash Walking
Loose leash walking is one of the fundamental skills we emphasize at Michigan Dog Training. It ensures that dogs walk calmly beside their handlers without pulling. At Boulder Garden Park, dogs practiced this skill amidst the natural beauty of the park. Here’s how you can get started with your dog:
- Start with the Basics: Begin with basic loose leash walking exercises in a less crowded area of the park. Use treats and praise to reinforce the desired behavior of walking calmly without pulling.
- Gradually Increase the Distractions: Once your dog is comfortable, gradually move to busier areas with more distractions, such as near walking paths. This step-by-step approach helps dogs maintain their focus and composure.
- Reinforcement and Consistency: Consistently reward your dog for maintaining a loose leash, ensuring the behavior is reinforced positively. This consistency is key to solidifying the skill.
Sit and Down Stays
Sit and down stays are essential commands for any well-behaved dog. They are particularly useful in public settings where a dog needs to remain calm and stationary. At Boulder Garden Park, these commands were practiced extensively:
- Foundation Work: Start with short sit and down stays in quiet areas, gradually increase the duration the dog is expected to hold the position.
- Increased Duration and Distance: As the dogs became more proficient, increase the duration of the distance the handlers moved away. This incremental approach helps build the dogs’ confidence and reliability in performing the commands. When graduating to more distance, use a 20’ line to maintain safety and control of your dog.
- Public Spaces: Finally, practice the commands in more populated areas of the park. The presence of other park visitors, dogs, and various distractions provide an excellent opportunity for the dogs to demonstrate their obedience skills.
The Place Command
The place command is incredibly versatile and useful in many situations, from managing a dog’s behavior at home such as when guests come to the front door to ensuring they pose beautifully for photos. At the Boulder Garden Park, we utilized the park’s natural features, such as large flat rocks, to practice this command:
- Introduction to the Command: Begin by introducing your dog to the place command in a controlled environment. Once they understood the command, transition to using the park’s natural elements.
- Posing for Photos: Using the large rocks and scenic backgrounds, we taught the dogs to hold their place for longer periods of time while posing for photos. This exercise not only reinforced the place command but also provided stunning pictures for their owners.
- Practical Applications: The place command is very helpful in home applications such as having your dog go to place when guests arrive at the front door. This command helps manage the dog’s excitement and ensures they remain calm and well-behaved.
Real-World Applications and Benefits
Training in public parks like Boulder Garden Park offers numerous real-world benefits:
- Enhanced Socialization: Dogs interact with various stimuli, including people, other dogs, and different environments, enhancing their social skills and reducing anxiety.
- Improved Behavior: Consistent training in diverse settings leads to better overall behavior, making dogs more enjoyable companions.
- Stronger Bond with Handlers: Training in different environments requires clear communication and trust between the dog and handler, strengthening their bond.
- Versatility and Adaptability: Dogs become more adaptable and versatile, able to perform commands reliably regardless of the setting.
Testimonials and Success Stories
Many of our clients have shared their positive experiences with our training programs. Here are a few testimonials:
Jayson Sacco and Tig: “As a disabled man I knew I could do some basic training for my dog, but I knew I needed a professional trainer to take my 2 year old Rottweiler to a level where he could get every opportunity to succeed as a service dog for my needs. Michael and his staff at Michigan Dog Training(MDT) were fantastic to work with. A Rottweiler is a wonderful breed for Mobility Service work and it was all handled great by MDT during the 8 week board and train program. Now I get to keep building upon what my dog learned. I was so happy to see what he learned and in the communication, the facility and the staff I worked with. You can’t go wrong with MDT
Ilene Calvin and Theo: “Outstanding experience. Michael and his staff are extremely helpful, patient, professional and friendly. Everyone involved really listened to our concerns and offered insightful assistance. The facility, itself, is immaculate.”
John K. and Missi: “Mike and the Michigan Dog Training team has been amazing to work with since we got our rescue dog Missi. Missi sees it as her second home and is always happy to go see her friends. Thanks everyone!
Conclusion
Training dogs at the Boulder Garden Park 27225 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan, has been a rewarding experience for both the dogs and their handlers. The park’s natural beauty and public setting provide an ideal environment for practicing and perfecting obedience skills. At Michigan Dog Training, we are committed to helping dogs and their owners achieve their training goals through practical, real-world experiences. Whether it’s loose leash walking, sit and down stays, or the versatile place command, our training sessions at Boulder Garden Park and other locations have proven to be both effective and enjoyable.
By incorporating diverse training locations, we ensure that our training methods are comprehensive and adaptable, preparing dogs to be well-behaved companions in any setting. We look forward to continuing our training adventures and helping more dogs and their owners experience the benefits of well-rounded, effective training.
Send your Dog on a K9 Adventure
If you’re interested in having your dog trained by us in exciting real world distractions, please visit MichiganDogTraining.com or “text us now.” We offer a variety of classes and personalized training plans to meet your needs. Together, we can help your dog become a confident, well-behaved member of the family.
