“Close tethering” helps with a wide range of training issues and is one of the most useful training techniques for any dog but can be especially useful for former street dogs. In a nut shell it will help:
- Building trust
- Being human “aware” – check in with you often
- Teach the dog to “self-soothe” and let their guard down
- Strengthen your role as the “leader of your pack”
- Teach them nothing bad happens when they are near you
- improves leash training
- reducing destructive behavior
- shorten potty training time
What is close tethering?
It is one of the easiest training techniques as all you do is tether the dog to you and go about your business. Literally! You want to do it for hours a time daily if possible but if you only have 20 minutes than do it for that. Here’s how:
- Attach the dog to you with a 2-3 foot lead
- Sit down and completely ignore them – no look – no touch no talk
- Once they relax you can discretely pet his/her hindquarters but don’t make a big deal of it
- Go back to ignoring the dog
- Occasionally get up and go on a 3-4 minute “hunt” around the room. Pick up an object look at it and then set it down
- You can do laundry, work on a computer, read – just go about your business – easy!
- Eventually your dog will lay quietly at your feet and “relax” – over time this will cause a relaxing effect whenever the dog is near you and can be used to reduce anxiety when your dog enters a “red light” situation
To learn more about this valuable technique please click here