Because this scenario of being contained is common for us when we are travelling in our caravan with the dogs, we make sure to practice it at other times so it becomes second nature for the dogs to relax when contained.
If you only use containment when it’s needed, your dog could find it difficult and stressful, and you could inadvertently create an aversion to it.
So if you want to be able to contain your dogs when it counts, then practice it when it doesn’t count. At home when nothing much is happening. If they can’t do it then, you can be be pretty certain they won’t be able to do it in a new and potentially high distraction environment like a pet friendly caravan park.
Start inside the house and when they are good at relaxing there, move outside to the back garden, then the front garden.
Gradually add levels of difficulty like leaving the room briefly, having a friend visit, or vacuuming the floor. You know what scenarios your dog finds challenging (it’s different for different dogs). Make a list from easiest to hardest and don’t move down the list until your dog is coping well with the previous scenario. Trying to go too far too soon will set your dog up to fail.
Practice is a key part of building calm, confident and resilient dogs.
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