During this time of uncertainty and social isolation, taking your dog to dog training classes is unfortunately not an option. While the window of opportunity to properly socialize puppies is between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks, trying to accomplish this important task is surely challenging now. Our dog trainers and class assistants for the DCHS Dog Training Classes have suggestions and tips for these times.

Here are some YouTube channels to watch and glean dog training tips:

My Fantastic Fur Friend has timely recommendations:

• Puppy Socialization During a Pandemic

Dog Training by Kikopup has excellent puppy resources:

• Puppy Socialization Guide - the BEST and SAFEST way!
• COMPLETE GUIDE to PUPPY TRAINING - What to train FIRST

Pam's Dog Academy has some great games to do with your dog:

• 30 Recall Games: Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
• 20 Loose Leash Walking Games: Positive Dog Training

Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution also has great training tips:

• How to Train Your Dog to NOT PULL on the Leash!
• How to Teach your Dog to do 4 things in Minutes (Roll over, Play dead, Sit, Lie down)

DCHS also has an "Ask a Dog Trainer with DCHS" video to answer training questions that can be viewed here!

A great online resource about dogs is Whole Dog Journal. Not only does it provide a vast library of dog training tips, it is also very informative about dog behavior, dog health, and everyday life with your dog. If you have a puppy, check out their Puppies tab for great puppy tips! Some of their socialization tips for puppies can be done at home:

• Pull out various items from your garage, the kitchen, fabrics that you may have and place them on the floor for your pup to walk over.
• Take a car ride out to the country to drive past neighboring farms. Let your dog sniff air the air (with the car window rolled down appropriately so that there will be no escaping the car!) or to observe animals out to graze.
• Find a park that has a bike or pedestrian path. Sit at a safe social distance and reward your pup for seeing people passing by, by feeding with treats, praising, or playing.

Remember to always work within your dog’s comfort levels and to reward the behaviors you want to see more of.

DCHS also has a ton of amazing resources on our Pet Care Tips page of our website for dogs, cats and other species!

There are also online dog training classes that you can participate in:

• Dog's Best Friend Training
• Behavior Vets
• GoodPup App
• Do More with Your Dog: these are "trick" classes, but cover basic skills like sit and leave it

Dane County Humane Society may begin offering our own online dog training classes in the near future. Please keep an eye out here for more details!

There are a few Facebook groups that offer ideas on ways to enrich your dog’s life and keep them mentally stimulated:

• Canine Enrichment
• Beyond the Bowl - Canine Enrichment
• One of the DCHS Dog Trainers, Brianne Statz, has a Facebook page where she shares her journey in training her deaf and blind dog, Simon.

Best of luck during these difficult days - stay safe!