Training tips for dog owners on National Rescue Dog Day!

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- May 20th is National Rescue Dog Day, and there’s some amazing dogs in our local shelters looking for their forever homes. But like with any dog, a little bit of training, whether by a professional or on your own, can go a long way to ensure the best outcome for both the dog and the adopter.

Justin Collett with Columbia Dog Training Elite joined us live in studio this morning to share some tips for folks bringing their new rescue dog home. He says first off, allowing your rescue dog to decompress. “We want to give it a grace period, and let it settle into that new environment. And then certainly some structure is great. With puppies, we want to start with some crate training, giving them a schedule to work on, feeding them in their crate so it’s a positive place, and then just start working with some obedience,” says Collett.

Many shelter dogs may have never had any form of obedience training, like recall skills, tricks like sit and stay, or may have never walked on a leash. Collett says in general when we give a dog a command, think command, mark, reward. “Generally speaking, when a dog feels leash tension, it’s natural instinct is to pull against it. So rather than pulling the dog pack into a heel, would would want to do firm leash corrections,” Collett says.

Collett says great training with your dog also helps create a better, stronger bond between you. “They want to learn, they want to work for you, they want to please you. So when you give them that reassurance that they’re doing what you want, that bond certainly does grow.”

For more tips and tricks on training your new rescue dog, or other furry friend, visit Columbia Dog Training Elite’s website here.