3 Simple Exercises You Need To Do With Your Dog
These are things we do with client dogs right off the bat. Sometimes we forget that it’s not just about teaching your dog words or commands. It’s about behavior. It’s about teaching your dog how to slow down, how to process, how to prioritize you, how to resist impulses, even if those impulses are out of fear, nervousness, anxiety, or extreme over stimulation.
All dogs learn automatic kennel manners (going in and out-kennel drills)
All dogs learn the non-verbal sit (and rehearse it in busy environments)-MY FAV!
All dogs learn to go in and out of the car upon invite and hold a down.
The first 2 of these 3 are super super easy, and EVERYONE should do these today! They are so simple and the return on investment is so worth it. It sometimes eludes us that these simple moments make up our whole day and dictate our dog’s state of mind. Taking a few minutes to do a handful of reps can be so impactful rather than just addressing it the one or two times you need to that day.
Instead of only working on car stuff when you are actually leaving, do it when you have nowhere to be! Take 10 or 15 minutes and go do 20 or 30 reps of something simple that involves little to no commands and just literally shows your dog a different way to exist and go through the world.
Once they see and do a different thing, they might just start doing it on their own, especially with the proper feedback and guidance from you.
Video link to crate drills. This is with an aggressive dog, hence we are threading the leash through the top of the crate. This isn’t necessary with a low bite risk dog.
Video link to holding down in the car:
https://youtu.be/Ljxm1B3RYX8?si=M9ZHMf1rSZwRHdlw
Video link to leash pressure sit (again with Hank-difficult dog)
https://youtu.be/sI1wiPivQUQ?si=h2R_EuPZHfGypV2X
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Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
- 00:00 – Kati opens the episode, asks listeners to subscribe, and introduces a practical dog-training topic.
- 02:00 – She previews three simple exercises that strongly affect a dog’s state of mind, behavior, and relationship with you.
- 03:00 – Crate work is framed as teaching calmness, coping skills, and tolerance for inconvenience and separation.
- 04:00 – She emphasizes that crate manners include how the dog goes in and out, not just staying inside.
- 05:00 – A prong collar is recommended for clearer guidance during these drills, especially when directing kennel movement.
- 06:00 – Early reps should stay short and simple before adding more rules and difficulty.
- 07:00 – Correction intensity should match the dog’s temperament, from pushy dogs to soft, anxious dogs.
- 08:00 – Bolting out of the kennel is treated immediately as dangerous and unacceptable behavior.
- 10:00 – If the dog rushes into the kennel uninvited, she says no and guides the dog back out.
- 11:00 – When the dog waits beside her, she marks it as good, then invites the dog into the kennel.
- 12:00 – If the dog rushes out, she recommends saying no and shutting the kennel door quickly.
- 14:00 – After inviting the dog out, she uses leash pressure to settle the dog calmly next to her.
- 16:00 – Repeated kennel reps lower arousal and build respect instead of reinforcing spiky excitement cycles.
- 17:00 – She warns against making every rep identical because dogs start predicting patterns instead of waiting.
- 18:00 – To advance the drill, add movement and reset mistakes with a no and a leash pop.
- 20:00 – She says the value of any drill comes from keeping rules clear and consistent.
- 21:00 – Crate drills should be quiet, with minimal talking and physical communication through the leash.
- 24:00 – These repetitions teach dogs to pay attention to the handler and think instead of assuming.
- 27:00 – The second exercise is a nonverbal sit taught by gently lifting the leash straight up.
- 29:00 – If needed, add the word sit, then release pressure the moment the dog’s butt hits the ground.
- 31:00 – She recommends practicing the sit in manageable public settings that challenge but do not overwhelm the dog.
- 33:00 – When the dog breaks position, simply turn leash pressure back on until sitting becomes the default.
- 34:00 – The third exercise is teaching the dog to lie down in the car for safety and calmness.
- 35:00 – For very frantic car dogs, she says this may require e-collar reinforcement layered over a known down command.
- 37:00 – She stresses car manners because pacing dogs can fall, get injured, or create dangerous distractions.
- 38:00 – Letting a dog stay aroused in the car often carries that stimulation into the destination.
- 39:00 – She advises practicing car reps when you are not going anywhere and have 10 to 20 minutes.
- 40:00 – If the dog stands up in the car, mark it with no and help the dog back down if needed.
- 41:00 – If downing in the car is too advanced, start with simple car door drills and safe tethering.
- 42:00 – She notes dogs often start offering downs more naturally once they truly understand the behavior.
- 44:00 – She closes by urging listeners to identify small daily moments and turn them into repeated practice drills.