Crossing the road
We look both ways, even to cross a one-way road.
The road is Lava!!
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NEVER LET YOUR DOG OFF LEASH OR UNATTENDED NEAR THE ROAD. THIS TRAINING IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SUPERVISION AND PROPER SAFETY AROUND THE ROAD.
What
Your dogs won't always be able to differentiate between a busy and quiet road. It is best to teach your dog that roads are dangerous places and that they shouldn't wander onto the road or cross it to get to things on the road or on the other side.
Teach your dog that they should only cross the road when you tell them to.
Why
- Teaching your dog not to cross the road is a potentially life-saving behaviour, especially if you live near a busy street.
- Dogs that run into the street can cause an accident.
- Dogs who may pull you across the street to get to something on the other side put their life and your life in danger.
How
Always train on a quiet private road!
- How does the road Feel? We don't lie down or sit on the street because we understand it can be unsafe. We want our dogs to have the same understanding. Start using a long line & a Harness on a quiet street. Reward your dog with pleasant, calm activities on the sidewalk, like a Sniff, a lick mat, a Kong or chew or a down settle. Then, cross the road, but while on the tarmac, display a sense of stress and uneasiness. Keep the leash tight and move fast with a sense of urgency. THE ROAD IS LAVA. Once on the other side, resume calm activities. Repeat in as many different places as possible.
- What Should the dog do on the road? Ideally, before starting this step, teach your dog to Wait, Make Eye contact, & Recall. As you come to a crossing, ask your dog to Wait. Mark and reward, then wait for or cue eye contact. Hold eye contact for 2 seconds (Increase duration slowly). Then cue your recall word/sound and run across the road with your dog. Reward heavily on the other side, never on the road. Repeat in as many different places as possible. Practice, Practice, Practice.
- What the dog should not do !! Walk up to a crossing and say nothing. If the dog doesn't wait or crosses the road, react as if they are stepping onto lava and act like you're saving them from being burnt. The better your acting skills are, the faster your dog will get the concept. If your dog has stopped at the curb, mark and reward heavily on the sidewalk, ask them to wait while you step onto the road and return to reward them heavily for waiting. It is okay for you to cross the road. Your shoes are Lavaproof. As the dog gets better, you can start to add more distance.
- Why did the Doggy cross the road? Ideally, before starting this step, teach your dog to Leave It. Reward your dog for stopping on the curb next to the road, then let your dog see one treat accidentally on purpose fall onto the road. If your dog tries to get it, cue your leave it command. Or, if need be, use the leash to stop them from going across. When they disengage from the treat, mark heavily and move on. Never let them eat on the road! Now repeat this with toys, food, their favourite people, other dogs or animals, and even random-looking objects left on the road accidentally on purpose that could pique your dog's curiosity.
- Take the show on the road! Once your dog shows you that it has understood the behaviour, start to raise Criteria to proof and generalise it to make it roadworthy.
Doggy Road Rules
- As per the law in Western Australia, when walking your dog in a public space, such as along the street or in a park or reserve, you must keep your dog on a leash securely tethered and not allow it to wander or bother other people, animals, or wildlife. When in a public place (including off-leash dog parks), you must always have your dog under effective control. Effective control means that the dog:
- Is within a short distance from the person in control of the dog at all times
- The person in control of the dog is carrying a leash, chain, cord or harness of sufficient strength and no longer than 2m (Measured from the base of the dogs neck)
- Responds to commands and comes when called
- Does not act in a threatening or aggressive manner toward other people or animals
- Does not cause damage to flora or fauna
- Does not enter a lake or water channel
- Does not cause a nuisance to other people
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