How to Train Your Dog to Stay
Parking your dog is a dog training behavior that can really help as a strong foundation to build on. In a nutshell, the “parking your dog” behavior teaches the dog to sit and stay with you while you are doing something else, such as:
- Talking to someone at the park
- Having guests over
- Dining outdoors
- Paying at the pet store or vet’s office
- Listening to instructions during group class lecture
How Parking Your Dog Applies to Your Dog Training Behaviors and Progressions
This behavior can be used when your dog becomes overwhelmed by another barking dog or excited in a new situation. Teaching your dog to stay with you shows him that it is time to bring his arousal level down.
Think of it like asking your dog to take a “yoga breath.” When teaching hyperactive dogs to be calm, many folks will ask their dogs to sit still. As you know, when your dog is aroused by other dogs, this can be a difficult thing to do.
As you train your dog to manage his extra energy and excitement, parking your dog is the perfect way to practice. Give him the chance to learn to “park it” as a cue in a non-stressful situation.
When training your dog, set him up for success. Teach your dog to sit and then build it up to “stay” and again to “park it.” Park it is a rock solid way to train your dog to stay or wait patiently.
Reinforce the positive behavior with positive actions like a click of the clicker and a great reward or treat for your pet. Using the word “park” as the indication to your dog that he is doing what is being asked of him is a great cue word.
Let’s look at it from a human perspective. Have you been with a friend who meets up with another friend and you are not part of the conversation? It’s awkward, but it happens. Now, relate that to thinking from the dog’s perspective: Would he get bored or feel awkward?
I bet your dog would. Approaching someone to have a conversation while needing your dog to wait patiently is the perfect application for this dog training behavior. Parking your dog is not the same as the “wait” cue, as you are not asking your dog to sit in one spot.
Why Train Your Dog to Park It?
- Self control (teaching your hyper dog to relax)
- Polite greetings to people (not to jump on people)
- Polite leash manners (not pull on the leash)
- Bark prevention
How to Teach Park Your Dog
- Step on your leash about halfway up to your dog. He should have 3-4 feet of extra leash.
- Click and treat your dog the instant the leash becomes loose. Example: Your dog is pulling to visit another dog. Wait until the leash becomes loose and click/treat!
- Bingo. You are rewarding calm and quiet behavior!
VIDEO: How to Train Your Dog to Park It
Tell us other ways to use this behavior in your life in the comment section below.
READ ALSO: Training Your Dog to Leave It