BASIC HOME SETUP

A Comprehensive Guide for All Dog Handlers

You have made the decision to add a dog to your family. Alongside this joyful addition, you have committed to training your dog in obedience, socialization, and maintaining its health and fitness. To achieve these goals, setting up your home for everyday life training is essential. This guide is designed for everyone, whether you are training therapy dogs, wellness dogs, service dogs, assistance dogs, family pets, breeding dogs, or puppies. 

The Essential Gear

To train your puppy, adult dog, or service dog daily, you will need the following gear:

• A platform
• One bowl
• A treadmill
• A weight pack
• A leash
• A collar

On my Gear I Love page, you can access the full list of dog training gear I use daily and the some are required while others are suggested as needed. Each training program has specific requirements and customization to fit your needs. As a busy full-time professional, I designed and set up my home gym to suit both my dogs and myself. This choice has been the best for me, as I independently train up to six dogs per day while maintaining my self-care goals.  To get free tips on how you can set up your home gym and then train with me later read more.  For those of you who are ready, you can schedule your in person consultation with me online. When you are ready, I am available to help you design and set up your own dog and handler gym.

Training and Managing Multiple Dogs

For those managing multiple species homes or single dog homes, training your dog to know its place is essential for everyday use. Look at my article Placement Training for Dogs. For our leash and collar, we use a four-foot obedience training line that attaches to either a training collar or a D and O ring flat collar. This flat collar is also used for fitness workouts on the treadmill.

Hydration and Feeding

We use one bowl to water the dog out of obedience while the dog is on its place-training platform.  To learn how to get started feed and training read my past article. We do not leave the bowl on the platform all day as it will get spilled.  When watering of the dog time is over, remove the bowl and wipe the platform dry.  When it is mealtime, we feed them out of obedience using the same bowl. Hold the food bowl in your hand for the duration of the feed while you have a seat on the platform too.  The enhances your bonding time together.  To learn more about this technique, look for my upcoming article later this year titled Total Resource Management.

Setting Up Kennels

For those who prefer to crate that is great then you are ready as I will assume that you have the crate set up and in use.  I prefer to use a larger DIY kennel, so the dog has its own personal space but is comfortable for me to enter and train him in.   I recommend setting up the dog's kennel with training furniture.  If you are not sure which one or have a space in mind at your home;  you can request an in person consultation with me.  I will help you with in person or online kennel design.

Choosing Treadmill For Dog and You

Need help?  See the link to free training guides below.  Request in person assistance from Crystal. Read my fitness blogs for dogs + handlers+ gear and more training tips. You can choose to have one treadmill that you and your dog will share.  You can choose to have one handler treadmill and one dog treadmill allowing you to workout daily together.  You can choose to start with just your dog’s treadmill then build up to yours.  First, we must decide which treadmill, human or dog or both.  We just need a starting point.  We can add on or take away later.  Look at my fitness articles to help you learn the difference between jog a dog or dog pacer treadmills for dogs. 

Continue Your Learning with Me Online

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your home is well-prepared for everyday life training with your dog, helping both you and your canine companion to thrive.  Happy spring dog training!

 Self Starters! Go to DTC Free Training Guides >