How to properly train your dog

Dog lovers, how would you like to be hands free from carrying that bag while walking your dog?

The reason anyone is carrying a bag is because you've trained your dog to go where they shouldn't.

Dog trainers know the secret that with a little training and consistency (no matter the age), all one has to do is start out by taking short walks with your dog staying close to home.

Let your dog sniff and water parkway trees (but not the private homeowner's lawn) and when you see your dog squat, immediately jerk his leash and say "no!"

Then quickly walk him home, don't make any other stops, put him in your yard and firmly say: "Do your duty."

You need to stick around and make sure he did and then immediately praise him and reward your pet with a treat before entering the house.

It's the walk and scent of other dogs that usually prompts a dog to move their bowels.

If you're consistent, after a week of successful attempts, you can then expand the walk to two to three blocks and before long , your dog knows what's expected, how to please you and will look forward to that reward.

We've trained our dog to do it in only one area along our fence so we wouldn't have to hunt around with our scooper.

Upon returning to our yard after each walk, I walked our leashed dog back and forth along the fence always commanding: "Do your duty."

After a weekly ritual, no more leashes because once they mark their designated territory, that's where he'd go.

With the warmer temps, homeowners will appreciate not stepping in your dog's smear when their mowing their lawns.

Ah yes, it is great to be hands free!

Maria Sroga

Palatine