[Day 10] Deck training - The basis for frustration tolerance and impulse control
Basic obedience: Day 10 of 56
This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
Do you sometimes get frustrated when your dog barks at every sound or constantly follows you wherever you go? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many dog people struggle with similar problems, and that's where blanket training comes in. This simple but incredibly effective exercise teaches your dog to stay calmly in his place and relax - even in exciting or stressful situations.
In today's blog, we will show you how to successfully implement blanket training at home and why it is so important that your dog learns to cope with frustration and boredom. Training is the basis for many other important skills, such as safe recall and receiving guests in a relaxed manner. So, let's get started and teach your dog the necessary calmness and composure!
Goal: Your dog moves to his place on the signal and stays there until another signal or release signal is given.
Equipment: Harness, house lead, dog place/kennel/wall hook, treats or food toy
Place: At home
Duration: Training approx. 10-15 minutes (increase duration), practise daily in everyday life
Deckentraining - Wozu?
We attach great importance to training at home, because we spend most of our time together with our dogs at home. So if the basics aren't right at home in a low-stimulus environment, you shouldn't be surprised that things don't work out on a walk. If your dog plays the master of the house at home, he will one hundred per cent do the same outside. Training is a holistic process that must take place everywhere and at all times. Otherwise, your dog will not recognise any regularity in what you demand of him. As a human, you are the point of reference. You can think of it like a team leader who makes sure that rules are implemented and adhered to. Spatial boundaries are important in many aspects of dog training and start at home. The dog does not have to be the centre of our attention endlessly and it is permissible to define spatial boundaries.
In addition to reliability on your part, coming down and relaxing play an important role. Constant stress is just as unhealthy for our dogs as it is for us. And yes, even if you think it's cute: As soon as your dog follows your every move at home, that means stress for your dog. "In your place" training lays the foundation:
- Learning boundaries to receive guests,
- to be able to eat quietly,
- the household,
- that your dog no longer barks at everything on the street,
- but also a safe recall
- or to train the calm accompaniment of your dog in everyday life.
ℹ Info
For our dogs, space is a resource that needs to be managed by you as a human. Dogs react very sensitively to spatial boundaries. Your task is to allocate the resource of space or, if necessary, to deny it.
So you realise: an absolute must-have! The fact that your dog has to cope with rather unpleasant actions such as waiting, frustration or boredom is one of the most important characteristics and must be learnt and encouraged every time. This frustration tolerance starts at home and is an important building block for recall. If your dog cannot withstand this frustration at home, how is he supposed to resist the frustration and respond to your recall instead of running to his dog friends or chasing after the duck? Frustration tolerance is combined with impulse control, i.e. self-control. Both frustration tolerance and impulse control are core competences!
Dogs are very social animals and live freely either in packs (genetic relatives) or in social communities (unrelated dogs). Living in groups is mainly for safety and thus survival and also means that dogs stay within these social communities. Transferred to the domesticated dog, this permanent community is not possible, even if it would be highly desirable. Everyone has to go to work, do an errand without their dog or go shopping. The dog cannot and should not accompany us on all our everyday activities. This makes it all the more important to be able to relieve the dog of the stress of having to follow our every move. And where is the best place to practise this? At home, of course!
You'll find the perfect equipment with us
Summary
Deck training is much more than just an exercise to send your dog to his place. It is an important building block for his frustration tolerance and impulse control - two key skills that help him stay calm in difficult situations. If your dog learns to stay patiently in his place, whether at mealtimes, when receiving guests or in everyday life, this will not only have a positive influence on his behaviour in the house, but also outside.
With clear spatial boundaries and regular exercise, you can help your dog to reduce stress and stay relaxed. This training not only promotes your relationship, but also gives your dog the security of not always having to be the centre of attention. And the best thing is that through consistent practice, your dog will also become calmer and more relaxed in moments when you are not with him.
So it's best to start integrating blanket training into your everyday life today. It's a must-have for every dog person who wants a relaxed and balanced life with their dog!
This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
The authors: Paulina & Lui
Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store]. Her journey in dog training began with the adoption of her first list dog, Vito. This experience sparked her deep interest in teaching other dog owners about dog behaviour and training. Initially this was just a hobby, but with the adoption of the American Pitbull Amalia, who had been relinquished several times due to severe behavioural problems, her passion developed into a true vocation. Amalia's particular behavioural challenges intensified her interest in dog training and behavioural therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, undergo intensive further training and dedicate themselves entirely to the subject of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically for medium-sized and large breeds.
From this realisation, Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store] was born, a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for quality dog accessories. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experience, extensive knowledge and passion for dogs to every product to help human-dog teams live together.