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How to Reinforce Habits & Support Your Dog at Home
Training doesn't end when your dog leaves CapeWest—it’s just the beginning of a lifelong relationship built on consistency, structure, and leadership.
This guide will show you how to carry that work forward with your dog at home, creating a peaceful, well-balanced life rooted in trust and clear expectations.
Vocabulary & Commands Your Dog Learned
Vocabulary & Commands Your Dog Learned
Here's a breakdown of the core commands your dog was trained on—and how to use them at home:
Here
Here
Means “come all the way to me”—not just close. This command builds responsiveness and trust.
Tip: If your dog starts to stop short, reset expectations by requiring a full return to your feet.
Sit
Sit
Sit means “butt to the ground until released.” We do not use the word stay—sit means stay.
Release word: “Free”
Place
Place
Tells the dog to go to an elevated surface (place board, bed, or mat) and remain there until released.
Tip: Move the board around the house or outdoors while doing chores—this is one of the most useful commands for everyday life.
Leave It
Leave It
Use this to stop the dog from interacting with something—a person, another dog, food, trash, etc.
Kennel
Kennel
Tells your dog to go into their crate or kennel, no matter the location.
Pro Tip: If your dog avoids the kennel, don’t chase them. Command a sit, leash them calmly, guide them in, and reward once they're inside.
Free
Free
This is the release word used to signal they can move again after a sit, place, or kennel command.
No
No
Tone matters here. Use a soft “no” for minor redirection and a firm “NO!” for serious behavior.
Your tone teaches the dog how urgent the correction is.
Mindset & Handling Tips
Mindset & Handling Tips
Don’t repeat a command your dog ignores—say “no” and re-issue the command with clarity.
Give commands with confidence. Your mindset should be: the dog doesn’t have a choice.
Dogs are opportunists. If they find a gap in your leadership, they’ll take it. Stay consistent.
Limit their ability to make their own decisions—structure leads to success.
Recommended Routines & Accommodations
Recommended Routines & Accommodations
Dogs trained at CapeWest thrive in structure. Here’s how to support that at home:
Crate Usage
We recommend an indoor crate and an outdoor kennel—for life. Our dogs sleep in kennels, stay crated when we’re away, and rest safely when visitors are over.
Dogs sleep 18-20 hours a day. A crate gives them a secure place to rest.
During severe weather (like tornado warnings), a crate is the safest place for your dog.
Cement or paver flooring in outdoor kennels prevents illness and digging.
Outdoor Kennel Suggestions:
Daily Schedule Suggestions
Dogs love routine. For dogs recently out of training:
Limit unsupervised freedom to 15–20 minutes at a time
Crate when you're gone, sleeping, or unable to supervise
Use “Place” during household tasks (laundry, dinner prep, etc.)
Take short daily training breaks (5–10 minutes, twice per day)
Offer outdoor exercise, but keep it structured—not free-for-all play
Tools & Products We Recommend
Tools & Products We Recommend
Place Boards
Cato Boards (smaller size recommended)
Dog Food
Discuss fat/protein ratios with Heath
Dog Brush
Dog Toys
Stick with KONG toys: durable, quiet, and non-destructive
Keep 3–4 toys stored away and bring them out during structured play only
Avoid toys that resemble things your dog shouldn’t have (shoes, balls, etc.)
Leash
Use a solid 5' leash or shorter
Avoid retractable leashes—they offer too much freedom and not enough control
If You Own a Gun Dog
If You Own a Gun Dog
Continue the behaviors you want to see in the field:
Daily bumper retrieves in a structured format
Require a sit and eye contact before releasing to fetch
Use their name to release, then reward verbally when they return
Keep sessions short and consistent
Final Tips
Final Tips
Don’t chase a disobedient dog. Command a sit, leash them, and reset the command.
Obedience is built in moments, not marathons. Five minutes a day matters.
Structure creates freedom. A dog that looks to you for leadership is a dog that thrives in any setting.
Need obedience training or a gun dog tune-up?
Need obedience training or a gun dog tune-up?
Whether you're starting from scratch or need a refresher after training, we can help.
Whether you're starting from scratch or need a refresher after training, we can help.
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