A DOG'S DAY AT THE PARK.

Do you and your dog like to spend time together? If so, here is a neat idea that will stimulate your dogs mental and physical ability's as well as yours.


What you do is incorporate come, jump, sit/stay weave, heel, & down along with agility jumps and exercise.

The idea is to mentally stimulate the dog while allowing him/her to have fun at the same time. This is also good for humans to get much needed exercise and entertainment as well.

This can be done at any picnic area that is somewhat remote and known not to have a lot of loose dogs running around.

Tools needed: 26ft flexi leash, fanny pack and treats.

Begin by taking your dog for a long relaxing walk using the flexi leash let the dog have fun running around without using any commands. The idea is to let the dog use up any Pent Up Energy.
After 10 minutes or whenever you see the dog start to relax and chill, begin teaching the dog "Go Fetch" and "Come" using the flexi leash. First throw out a treat or toy and tell the dog to "Go Fetch". Allow the dog to run after the treat/toy and then tell the dog to "Come" Reeling in the flexi leash to get the dog to come if you have to. Once the dog comes, HIGH PRAISE and Reward!
Repeat this process and let the dog think its a real cool game to play. This teaches the dog a nice fetch and recall at the same time.

Next, go to some short fencing or something that the dog can easily jump. Most parks have 2 ft wooden fences that you can utilize as your jump area.
Teach the dog to jump over the fence and reward for the jump. Continue until the dog realizes that this is a fun thing for him/her to do.

Onto your next station area. Begin teaching the dog to "Heel". Practice "Heel" and teach the dog to sit each and every time you stop.

Next find something that you can utilize as weave poles (cemented poles used for bikes work perfect) Practice the dog weaving in and out of the poles.
(This takes lots of practice on both you and the dogs part) Just keep it fun it does not have to be perfect.

Next find another jumping station. I use picnic tables and park benches for this. Make stations using the tables and benches. Let the dog jump onto the picnic table seat then the table then the other seat. Let the dog have fun! Let the dog walk across park benches. If there is a nearby playground, you can see if the dog can be taught to go down the slide.

Next onto your obedience station. Practice teaching the dog down. High praise and reward if the dog does a down. If the dog does not know down, begin to teach him/her down at this station.

Next find an area that you can utilize as your sit stay station.
Sand boxes work well for this.
Teach the dog to sit and stay. High praise and reward!

Next, its time to play with toys. Let the dog play with tennis balls, basket balls rope toys etc... Keep the dog on the 26ft flexi leash and play fetch and come with the dog again. You also can work on "Drop it command" and "Leave it" with the dog at this training station.

Next station practice more heel with the dog. Again, make the dog sit every-time you stop.

Now its time to play king of the mountain. Find a hilly area and let the dog run up and down the hill to get into shape. Tell the dog he/ she is "King of the Mountain"

Now, its back to leash training. Practice the dog walking with you on a 6ft leash. If the dog forges ahead, turn around on the dog and use the command "Lets go". You can use the flexi leash just tighten it up to around 6 ft.

Now its the last station. Let the dog do a few more jumps and then practice a few more down. High praise and reward for the down.

Let the dog end on a positive note. Tell the dog what a nice job he/she did.

He will now be tired as will you.

To end this perfect fun filled day, remember to pack a picnic basket for you and your dog.
Bring a water dish and bottled water.
You can pack dog bones filled on the inside with peanut butter as a cookie treat.
Cheese cubes are also wonderful treats for the dogs.
Dogs also love peanut butter sandwiches or turkey and cheese sandwiches.
During the winter months, you can fill a thermos with beef stew. (Fill another one for you) along with some hot chocolate or hot coffee.


This also is a great day trip idea for shelter dogs!









Susan Parker
Dynamic Dog Training Services
401-823-8851