Free Time: How to Navigate Giving Your Dog More Freedom around the House

As balanced trainers we always emphasize the importance of structure, rules, and boundaries. However it’s equally important to address the other half of the coin. In reality no one wants to have their dog be on extended place command forever and ever - it's just not realistic, and beyond a certain point, it's probably not needed. 

As your dog begins to exit the “boot camp” stage of training you might want begin to experiment with giving privileges back. Ultimately we don’t care what our dogs do around the house as long as they are not crappy behaviors or lead to long term issues.

Remember, even though we call it "free time" there is still a lot of structure! The delicate balance between freedom and boundaries is what enables us to live long healthy lives with our canine companions. You truly can't have one without the other! 

1. Furniture
Permission based. Must respect “off” when asked. If dog protests getting off the couch, then this privilege must be cut off. 

2. Toys
Keep toys put away unless you’re playing/training. No growling or guarding allowed. Must “out” on command the first time, every time. Don't allow your dog to play with your children's toys. 

3. Love & affection:
On invitation/permission only. No pushiness allowed. In a multi-dog household I like to see minimal affection, and given one at a time (i.e. one dog on place and one dog free). 

4. Food
Must wait for meals politely until released. In multi-dog households, I like to see dogs eating separately in crates or in different rooms. Letting dogs eat in the same space can cause needless tension and issues down the line.

5. Back yard
 Absolutely no fence fighting or barking at pedestrians. Must come when called every time. No digging.

6. Kitchen
Stay off counters/tables and don’t be in my business while I cook. Act of God e-collar corrections are valid and encouraged for counter-surfing dogs.

7. Pack mentality
No rough play inside the house. Outside the house is fine. No growling, fixating/posturing, or showing teeth. Dogs exit and enter thresholds in an orderly manner, being called by name.

8. Guests
One or two alert barks is fine, must respect "quiet." I don’t recommend thinking about pet dogs as guard dogs - creates too much needless anxiety in the dog and increases the risk of a lawsuit. Get a home security system if you want extra security. Absolutely no jumping/mouthing/barking at guests. Meeting guests is invitation only - dogs are not just allowed to go up and sniff. 

9. Other animals (cats, chickens)
 No fixating/staring/chasing. Live and let live, basically. 

10. Thresholds
Humans enter and exit the house/room first, unless you are NOT going out with your dog (like on a mundane potty break), in which case the dog would look to you for permission and you would cue him out with "let's go." 

As you begin to experiment with letting your dog have free time, let him drag a slip lead or leash so that you still have a way to communicate if necessary.

There you have it folks. Those are the rules of free time!

Remember, this is not about being a control freak or sucking all the fun out of life, it's about having a healthy process so you can enjoy your dog.