Boundaries
Respect for off-limits zones in the home and environment.
- Teaching
- Reinforcing
- Proofing
- Maintenance
Maple's stage at Elementary
Not assessed yetExpected: Teaching
Success indicator
Dog stays out of designated off-limits areas without correction.
What it is
Establishing boundaries fosters respect from your dog, curbing pushiness and territorial tendencies. Clear expectations should be set for personal and spacial boundaries.
How we teach it
- Personal/Spatial Boundaries: Step into your dog to prompt them to back away from your space. Reward your dog for conceding space.
- Temporary Boundaries: Temporary Boundaries: Choose a specific area (e.g., kitchen). Practice in a quiet setting, rewarding for staying outside. Add verbal cue "out" once consistent. Gradually increase distance and distractions.
- Permanent Boundaries: Permanent Boundaries: Choose a specific area (e.g., bed). Start with sit or down stay. Reward for holding. Increase duration and introduce distractions for challenge.
Practice at home
- Make sure the boundaries are clear and consistent. Your dog should know exactly where the boundaries are, and they should not be allowed to cross them.
- Take Photos or Videos: Capturing your progress back at home or outside will help us provide additional feedback.
Go deeper
Enforcing spatial boundaries is one of the most important ways to command respect from your dog. When a dog is responsive to spatial boundaries, they are less likely to be pushy or territorial.
Read the Spatial Boundaries guideMaple's record
No record yet
This skill has not been assessed for Maple yet. It will appear here after a trainer records it.
Add structure to your week
See where Boundaries fits in Maple's personalized training plan.