Teaching An Outside Dog To Be Calm Indoors
Some dogs spend a majority of their time outdoors. Whether you recently adopted an outside dog you wish to keep inside or you have an older dog who now needs to transition to being inside for their own well-being, you’ll likely find the dog may not be as calm as you’d like. They are more likely to be overactive and excited about their new environment. The good news is there are things you can do to help encourage the dog to be calmer and teach them what you expect.
Why Inside May Be Best
First, it’s important to explore why you may choose to transition your outside dog to an inside dog. When your dog stays inside, they are less likely to be injured by other animals or things outside, as well as prevent them from being scared by strange noises. Inside dogs are also more likely to be a deterrent to burglars because outside dogs could be injured or poisoned to grant burglars access to your home. Dog thieves could also take your dog from your backyard in the night when everyone else is sleeping.
Leash Training
The first step in the process of training your dog to stay calm inside is to introduce them to their new environment in a safe and encouraging manner. Keeping your dog on a leash during the process will put you in control and ensure your dog fully understands what you want. Walk your dog through every room in the home in which you will allow them to roam freely. Keep a handful of treats on hand as you do so. Each time your dog stands and looks around without doing anything, give them a treat to encourage the behavior. However, if your dog pulls, jumps or does something else undesirable, pull back gently on the leash to encourage your dog to calm down. The treat reward shows them they should be calm and don’t need to react in an excited manner.
The Next Step
After your dog has become more familiar with the interior of your home, it’s time to move on to the next step. At this point, you can allow your dog off the leash so they can get the feel of freedom in your home. However, keep in mind, your dog won’t be perfect at all times. It may be essential to return to the leash for a period of time and repeat the treats for good behavior to instill the behaviors you want to see from your dog. It’s not uncommon for dogs to be excitable in a new situation, but it’s your job to make sure they learn new behaviors that are preferable for spending time indoors.
Even the oldest dogs can learn new tricks if you have the patience and take the right steps to train them properly. Dogs can only repeat the behaviors they have learned so you’ll need to teach them new ones, especially if they became used to being an outside dog. The good news is your outdoor dog can become an indoor dog you won’t have to worry about destroying your house in their excitement.