How to Train Your Small Dog to Stay in an Unfenced Yard
Introduction
Are you tired of having to put your pup's leash on to take him outside just so he can go potty? Wouldn't it be nice if you could let your little dog go out and then stand in the doorway while he does his business? Of course, you could always opt for installing a fence around your yard, if you can afford it and your HOA allows for it. Then again, most small dogs can squeeze or dig under a fence if they're really determined to escape.
The goal of training your small pup to stay in your unfenced yard is to teach your pup boundaries that he must not cross unless he is accompanied by you or another member of your family and has permission. In order to create the initial training boundaries, you can use a series of marker flags you can easily buy at your local hardware store. You should mark the boundaries a few feet inside the actual boundaries of your yard.
Defining Tasks
The idea is to train your pup to respect the boundaries you have set up so that you can play with him off-leash in the yard without worrying that he might run away. It can also help to prevent him from running out of the yard in the event he should get out by accident. Teaching your small dog to stay in an unfenced yard could save him from serious injury or possibly being run over by a car.
The good news is that once your pup has mastered this skill, you and the rest of your family will be able to play with your pup out in the backyard without worrying about him taking off. However, at no time should you ever allow your pup to be outside on his own. No matter how well trained he is, he might still try to run off when no one is watching. Through this training, your pup will learn to stay within his boundaries, but it does require the presence of a human being to make him stick to it.
Getting Started
Before trying to train your small pup to stay in an unfenced yard, he must have first mastered simple commands like 'come', 'sit', 'stay', 'stop', and 'down'. These are all part of teaching your dog to obey your commands without question or hesitation. To train your dog to stay in the yard, you need:
- Marking flags
- Treats
- Leash and collar
- Long leash
- Marker flags
- Space
Successful training relies on you putting in the time and effort to work with your dog on a regular basis until he has mastered this skill. Be sure to be patient and let the training move along at your pup's own pace, this will ensure it goes more smoothly.
The Going Over the Basics Method
The Temptation Method
The Extension Leash Method
