So, your dog is trained—what's next?

Maintaining that training is crucial, but how can you do it without spending too much time?

The key to maintaining your dog's training is keeping a structured and controlled mindset. This doesn’t mean your dog can't have fun; it just means incorporating more structure into their daily routine.

Here are some simple daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to keep your dog's training sharp:

Daily Dog Training Tasks

Daily maintenance focuses on structured activities, both active and passive.

• 30-Minute Focus Walk: Ensure your dog gets a 30-minute walk focused on maintaining their training.

• 30-Minute Place or Down Stay: Dedicate 30 minutes to a place or down stay each day.

Weekly Dog Training Tasks

Weekly tasks help reinforce structure and obedience.

• Step-Back-Recall Practice: Ideal for dogs with aggression or excited greeting issues.

• Out of Sight Down Stay: Practice having your dog stay in a down position even when you're out of sight.

• Recall Session: Spend time each week practicing recall.

• Down-Stay with High-Value Distractions: Use food or toys to challenge your dog’s down-stay.

Monthly Dog Training Tasks

Monthly activities keep training fresh and challenging.

• Heeling with a Long Line: Use a long line around your waist to practice heeling.

• Impulse Control During Fetch: Focus on impulse control while playing fetch.

• Field Trips: Take your dog to new environments with unusual surfaces to keep them adaptable.

These suggestions are not exhaustive, but they provide a solid foundation for maintaining your dog's training with minimal effort.

Happy Training!