If you want to run long hauls with your dog, you’ll have to prepare for that. You’ll need to get the necessary accessories and permissions. But you’ll also have to train your dog.
Your pet needs to learn to behave properly. The main goal of training is to avoid making a mess, hurting themselves, getting lost, or causing an accident.
Why your dog needs training
Your dog needs training because there are potentially damaging and risky behaviors during hauls. Your dog must learn not to chew or scratch the cabin inventory. Some of the objects inside the cabin are wired with electric cables. It would be potentially dangerous for the dog to bite or touch these objects.
Also, truck cabins are very tall. Small dogs who don’t learn to wait and stay still can jump out of the cabin the moment you open the door. That’s a quick way for the dog to get seriously injured. To avoid this, your dog must learn to be calm and patient.
If your dog isn’t properly trained, it can start asking for cuddles or touching the control board while you are driving. That’s very dangerous because being distracted behind the wheel is a big risk.
And lastly, your dog needs to learn how to eat, sleep, and sit at a designated place. That’s the best way for both of you to stay safe. If you teach your dog to behave during your hauls, you’ll have a great time together.
This list will contain everything you need to train your dog properly.
#1 Start in time
There are many benefits of riding with pets. But in order to get the most out of it, you’ll need to train them properly.
The most efficient way to train your dog is to start when they are just a puppy. Trucking isn’t easy. It includes staying inside the truck cabin for long periods of time.
Also, there are some elements inside the truck cabin that are very dangerous to mess with. Your command board, gearbox, electrical wires, and devices are all there. If your dog would chew on any of these objects, it would either cause lots of damage or risk harming itself.
That’s why it’s crucial for your dog to get used to the cabin while it’s still small. Start teaching your puppy about what is and isn’t allowed inside the cabin. Practice eating and potty habits, how to stay seated, and calm during driving.
When your pet learns to handle all of these circumstances, it will enjoy riding with you even more.
#2 Use rewards
Rewards or positive reinforcement will always help good behaviors stick. It’s much better to use rewards than punishment for bad behavior. Getting a treat for each appropriate move will influence your dog.
Use treats and praises each time your dog sits on command or waits when you say. Also, your dog needs to understand the “No” command. That will become extremely important during your long hauls.
Every time your pet tries to do something that could interfere with your driving or that’s unsafe, it’s best that it knows to stop immediately. That will save you money, time, and unnecessary stress.
#3 Watch your timing
Every reward for your pet needs to come within seconds of the desired behavior. If you don’t apply the reward quickly, your dog will think that the treat came randomly.
The entire point of positive reinforcement is for your dog to understand that it was rewarded for certain positive behavior. Apply treats and praises like “Good dog” and “Good boy” moments after it’s done something good.
You’ll see the results soon enough.
#4 Keep your commands short
Dogs don’t do well when your commands are long and confusing. Keep your commands to short statements like “Sit,” “No,” “Wait,” or “Down.” That way, your pet will understand you and learn to follow your commands.
It’s smart to make a selection of commands that are crucial to your life inside the cabin. Don’t overload your pet with numerous commands. Stick to the essentials such as commands connected to going potty, eating properly, staying inside the cabin when you open the door and staying close to you while at the gas station.
If you keep your commands short and stick to the selected few, your dog, you won’t have a hard time training your dog.
#5 Be persistent
Consistency is key. So if you want to train your dog properly, apply every training technique consistently.
It’s important not to indulge your dog if it wants something that would demean your training and authority. Also, give your dog the same instructions and rewards every time it does something right.
That’s crucial for your dog to learn patterns.
All in all
If you want your dog to enjoy your rides with you, these points are important for its training. Start training your dog while it’s still young. Use rewards to enforce good behavior. Make sure that every reward is given instantly. Select crucial commands that are simple to understand. Finally, remember that consistency is key.
If you stick to these rules, you’ll have a well-trained dog. You’ll avoid all the negative and risky situations. And lastly, your every route will be a shared joy.