Summer on the First Coast brings endless outdoor opportunities for you and your dog — but with the sun and scenery come new challenges. At Comprehensive Canine Training, we tailor our programs to match the season, the environment and your dog’s unique needs.
Here’s what dog training looks like in this area during the summer months — and how you can make the most of it with your dog.
1. Training Around the Heat
With summer temperatures often hitting the 90s (plus humidity) locally, we like to get creative about how and when we train or play with our dogs. Shade is your friend, and while it does not reduce the temperature, it can help you and your dog feel 10-15 degrees cooler.
Providing your dog with a baby pool, sprinkler, access to playing in the ocean or river are great ways to provide enrichment while helping to keep them cool. You still don’t want to have them in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Heat tips: Put the back of your hand on the cement for seven seconds, if it is too hot for your hand it is too hot for your dog. Limit the time you have your dog out in the heat of the day, a five-minute walk can accomplish so much. Avoid hard exercise during the heat of the day; heat stroke can happen in a matter of minutes. Devote time to training indoors, utilize air-conditioned businesses that welcome dogs. Ensure your dog has access to water.
Early morning adventures before 9 a.m. — keep water on hand; watermelon can also help dogs stay hydrated, frozen treats for hot days, mental stimulation through scent work and obedience or trick training.
2. Real-World, Distraction Rich Outdoor Training
The First Coast offers stunning, dog-friendly locations that double as great training grounds. Some personal favorites are as follows, but some dogs may not enjoy every environment and all that comes with it.
For example, a farmer’s market may not be your dog’s cup of tea if they don’t like tight crowds or dogs in their faces. It is an unfortunate reality that some people do not understand dog etiquette and will allow their dog to rush up to your dog … for this reason you may time visits to the farmer’s market first thing before it gets busy.
These spots are ideal for reinforcing leash skills, recall and calm behavior in the presence of distractions like wildlife, other dogs, bicycles, people, joggers and boats.
3. Handling kids and canines during the summer months
School’s out and the kids are home, providing the opportunity for bonding and training.
When it comes to kids and canines, safety is at the forefront. Do not leave young children and dogs unattended, accidents can happen in a matter of seconds, and you will not know what really happened.
Please remember that your dog is not meant to tolerate being constantly bothered by kids. In fact, when I was a kid, we were told, “Leave the dog alone or you’re going to get bit.” What people expect dogs to tolerate these days was unheard just 20 years ago. Please use common sense, teach your kids how to behave around dogs, and set them both up for success.
Nap time/quiet time is not just for kids. Our dogs need time to decompress, especially when the house is bustling and busy during the summer months. Utilize playpens, crates and baby gates to separate dogs and kids when you cannot supervise.
Reinforce your dog for the behavior you like and teach them how to behave in the house with kids. This may mean you have the dog on a leash and are in training mode, maybe you allocate time to ensure the dog has burned off some energy, and setting up a routine that is enjoyable for both the dog and kids.
4. Socialization opportunities
Summer is full of distractions: kids playing, outdoor grilling, other dogs, wildlife and lots of sounds. Use all this to your advantage as training opportunities. Work with your dog on ignoring distractions, teach “leave it” recall, practice loose leash walking and make yourself the most rewarding thing in the environment.
Again, some dogs may not enjoy a barbecue or kid’s birthday party. Tailor your dog’s outings for things they will enjoy and advocate for your dog. Just because you have your dog in public does not mean you need to allow everyone to pet your dog. Some dogs are social butterflies while others would rather be left alone.
5. Maintaining structure over the summer
Dogs need structure and a leader. Failure to provide dogs with structure and leadership can result in a myriad of issues. Unsupervised time, overstimulation and too much freedom can lead to a variety of undesirable behaviors.
So, how can you provide your dog with structure during the summer months?
Take a little time each day to work on training, decide on three to five things that will be non-negotiable, such as the dog sitting until released to go through a door, ensure your dog gets down time each day and address issues when they arise.
Preventing bad habits before they start is ideal. One way to do this is to implement training during routine activities such as “place” while you unload the dishwasher or fold laundry, sit before going through the door, and wait until released to food.
Kate Godfrey is owner of Comprehensive Canine Training, LLC, and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
