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Dog Owner Pandemic Checklist

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Dog Owner Pandemic Checklist

If you are spending more time at home, it is even more important to have discipline and structure in your day, especially for your dog. Here is a list of things that can help you determine if you are on the right track with ideas in each category. Choose examples from each category based on your dog’s level of training, breed, and age. A printable version is available. Hang it up near your at-home workspace for reference, and most importantly, as a daily reminder. Print additional checklists for your friends and family.

Print This Checklist (PDF)

Daily Outdoor Exercise Together

Every dog (and human) needs this, every day.

Performance Level: Untrained - Advanced

  • Work on walking skills

  • Walk with dog (2-3x per day)

  • Run with dog

  • Hike with dog

  • Bike with dog

  • Skateboard with dog

    *Hire a dog walker if you are unable to take your dog outdoors for exercise

Enrichment Exercise

Good for your dogs body AND brain! 

Performance Level: Basic - Advanced

  • Structured Fetch - include obedience commands

  • Structured Frisbee

  • Structured Tug

  • Dock Diving

  • Doggy Parkour Walk

  • Backyard Agility

  • Be creative!

Crate/Kennel Time 

Even though you are home, your dog still needs alone time as well as calm time in their crate. You may also use another type of enclosure, such as a pen, outdoor kennel, or doghouse. Helps teach calm behavior without much or any interaction.

Performance Level: Untrained - Advanced 

  • Feed meals in the crate with the door closed

  • Calm time in the crate after walks or other exercise 

  • Crate time in an area alone where they cannot see you 

  • Crate time when you are busy with other chores and you are not watching the dog

  • Longer lasting treats such as bones or Bully Sticks are given in the crate with the door closed

  • Crate while cooking and eating your meals 

Dog Bed

Another great place for your dog to be between exercise, training, and other quality time. Helps teach calm behavior with interaction and direction.

Performance level: Untrained - Basic

  • Teach your dog a place command

  • If your dog does not yet have a place command, tether them when needed throughout the day 

Performance Level: Basic -Intermediate

  • Use your dog’s place command by sending them to their bed for naps and chill time 

  • Use your dogs place command for visitors at your door

  • Use the place command during your mealtime

Mental Enrichment Exercise

Dogs are intelligent and desire challenges. They should be provided with mental stimulation daily, with you and alone.

Performance level: Untrained - Basic

  • Teach a new trick

  • Play indoor scent games

  • Interactive Toys

Obedience Training

Always my go-to for a mentally healthy and well-behaved dog. This is one of the best forms of mental enrichment that involves YOU. How much and how often you should train is based on your individual dog and goals. This is a general guideline. Contact a trainer to assist you in developing new skills, determine what will be best for your dog, and set training goals.

Performance Level: Basic 

  • 10 minutes training sessions 2x per day

Performance Level: Intermediate 

  • 20 minutes training sessions 2x per day

Performance Level: Advanced

  • 30-60 minutes of training per day 

Feeding Time

One of the most important activities of your dog’s day! It’s a good idea to have structure around food. 

Performance Level: Basic - Advanced

  • Hand feeding meals for good behavior

  • Ask dog to perform obedience commands prior to feeding

  • Create a Food Trail - See video and rules below!

  • Slow-feed bowls

  • Interactive food dispensers/toys for their meal

 

TRY THE FOOD TRAIL CHALLENGE!

Relationship/Leadership

If you want a well-balanced dog, this is one of the most important categories to practice every day.

  • Limit physical affection - too much of this can be a bad thing.

  • Refrain from talking to your dog in full sentences - they don’t speak English!

  • Use your training terms for communication daily (“sit”, “go potty” etc.)

  • Encourage and reward calm behavior

PRINT THIS CHECKLIST

Train on,
Ariel Santa Maria
CANINE COACH

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Hey, it's Ariel, your Canine Coach here. Welcome to the New Year and a new perspective