The Busy Professional's Guide to Training a Dog in the Philly Suburbs: Making Time for a Well-Behaved Pet

A dog working on calmness during down time at work

Juggling a demanding career (or just an overall busy life) with the responsibilities of pet ownership can feel overwhelming. Many of our clients at Tri-Dog Solutions are busy professionals right here in the Philadelphia area who feel like they just don't have enough hours in the day to dedicate to dog training.

The good news? You don't need to quit your day job to have a well-behaved dog. Consistent, effective training is absolutely possible, even with a packed schedule. It's all about making the most of the time you do have with your dog.

Why Every Minute Counts

Think of dog training not as a huge, one-hour block of time you have to carve out, but as a series of small, five-minute opportunities throughout your day. These micro-sessions are surprisingly effective and can fit seamlessly into your, already established, routine. They also help build a strong bond with your dog and make training a fun, ongoing activity rather than a chore. The most effective dog training is a lifestyle not a series of concentrated sessions.

3 Ways to Fit Training into Your Busy Schedule

1. The "During" Method: Integrate Training into Daily Activities

You're already doing things with your dog; going for walks, feeding them, getting ready for work. Why not incorporate training into those moments?

• The Walk: Instead of a mindless stroll, use your dog’s walk as a training session. Practice loose-leash walking, "leave it" when you pass a squirrel, or work on balance their "heel" command with "free" to create clear understanding of what you want and when you want it

• Mealtime: Before setting down the food bowl, ask your dog to perform a "sit" or "down" This teaches impulse control and frustration tolerance that can translate to other parts of your day!

• Coming and Going: When you leave or return home, work on crate training or a solid "stay" command. This helps prevent separation anxiety and reinforces good manners.

2. The "Break" Method: Use Your Downtime Wisely

Your coffee break, the 15 minutes before a video call, or the time you spend scrolling on your phone or watching Netflix can all be used for quick training sessions.

• Teach a New Trick: Got five minutes? Work on a fun new trick like "shake," "roll over," or "spin." This is a great way to mentally stimulate your dog and work on your communication skills

• Use your stillness to your advantage, and work on your dog finding stillness with you, use your leash and a long lasting chew to help them relax near you with a tether or leash step down

3. The "Help Me Help You" Method: Leverage Professional Help

When you’re truly stretched for time, a professional dog trainer can be a game-changer. At Tri-Dog Solutions, we understand the needs of busy professionals in the Philly suburbs. Our customizable programs are designed to get you and your dog results without requiring you to teach skills from the ground up.

• Day Camp Training: Two days per week of immersive learning with us and then weekly lessons at home with you mean you get a break from the day to day with your dog during the week, but still get to learn with them as we grow their skills together

• Board and Train: Our immersive programs allow your dog to live and train with us to get a jump start on their skills, and then one-on-one lessons with you to keep the improvements going at home

A dog during a professional dog training session

Training your dog is an investment in a happy, well-behaved companion. Don't let a busy schedule stand in you way. Start with these small changes, and if you need a little help, Tri-Dog Solutions is here to support you every step of the way.

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