Are you starting to notice some weird behavior from your dog?
It's probably not random.
It's probably due to the fact that we are in a seasonal change time period,
going from winter to spring.
Right now, dogs that were calm all winter are suddenly becoming distracted,
reactive, and completely forgetting their training.
And no, this isn't your imagination.
Spring can be one of the hardest transitions for dogs, especially for the first time.
Hello, and welcome to One Minute Dog Training Tips on Dog Works Radio.
I'm your host, Nicole Forto, and on today's episode, we're going to talk about
how to get through winter to spring successfully with your dog,
because this time of year can make even well-trained dogs feel like they've hit a reset button.
Let's break down what your dog is actually experiencing right now.
These are the things to keep in mind when you might be getting frustrated.
Spring does not just arrive.
It often explodes into dog senses.
Snow is starting to melt, which means months of trap sense are suddenly released all at once.
Wildlife activity is starting to spike with moose, birds, squirrels,
and anything else in between starting to move around more.
The daylight hours are rapidly increasing.
This shifts your dog's internal rhythm.
The temperatures are warming up, which brings on more energy and excitement to do things.
And of course, more people, more dogs, and more chaos are happening outside.
To your dog, this is like going from a quiet room to a full-blown carnival overnight.
So if your dog is more reactive or simply just not listening, they're not being stubborn.
They are probably very overwhelmed.
So here's some tips on how to get through it.
Number one, rebuild your engagement before expecting perfect obedience.
Before you're asking for sit, heel, and recall, make sure your dog is mentally with you.
Go back to the basics.
Focus on short sessions with high-value rewards and simple wins.
In spring chaos, engagement is everything.
So reward the attention they give you and keep things simple to start out with.
Number two, gradually reintroduce distractions.
Don't throw your dog straight into a busy park or crowded trail.
Start small, meaning your driveway or your neighborhood
controlled environments that you know traffic isn't super intense in.
That way you can start to build your dog up again.
This is called proofing your dog's training under distractions.
And spring is often the ultimate test.
Number three, increase structure as energy starts to be increased.
Warmer weather means more energy in your dog.
So that means they may need more guidance, not less.
This also may be a time you're seeing boredom behaviors.
Remember the enrichment tools you used in the winter when you didn't want to go out in the cold.
This is still an appropriate time to use them, but for a different reason.
Include structure in your walks, be sure you're reinforcing boundaries,
and keep your consistency in expectations no matter what.
Remember, freedom is always earned, not assumed, especially during a seasonal shift.
Number four, with more people and dogs out, you'll face more unpredictable situations.
Not every interaction is a good one.
You need to advocate for your dog's space.
Keep them and yourself set up for success and safety.
Don't let somebody else's untrained dog undo your progress.
Spring in Alaska and anywhere else doesn't have to mean setbacks.
It can be one of the best opportunities to re-strengthen your dog's training,
build reliability, and create real world success.
If you or someone you know is struggling, navigating seasonal behavior changes,
and has a dog that might be overwhelmed, distracted, and isn't able to do anything during the spring change,
head to AlaskaDogworks.com to reach out and get professional training tips.
And remember, training isn't seasonal, but challenges can be.
Stay consistent, stay patient, and your dog is going to rise to the occasion.
Until next time, happy training!
