Training Your Dog For Your Wedding Day
Including your dog in your wedding can add excitement, laughter and make the day a bit more memorable. Whether incorporating them in photos, invitations or having them walk down the aisle, there are lots of things to consider when having your pooch be a part of your wedding. If you are thinking about including your pup on your special day, here are a few tips on training your dog.
Practice Walking Your Dog Down the Aisle
Many people include their dogs in their weddings by having them walk down the aisle. Although it could be a precious sight, without practicing and training, it could end up being disastrous. To help set the scene, you could play the processional music, mimic distractions, or have them walking on a faux carpet. Walking your dog with a leash and having them stay beside you is generally good practice. Once your pooch starts to get the hang of it, remember to reward them as positive reinforcement is a great way to help them remember how to properly walk down the aisle.
Refine in Public
Once they have the walk down in private, take them in public. With real-life distractions, it could be a good sign whether they need more practice or not. Whether in the park on a walk or a dog-friendly restaurant, being within the scope of distractions such as people or vehicles will help your dog get used to them. Practicing in public also allows you to use commands and see how well they listen even with distractions like the possible ones on your special day.
Doggy Dress Rehearsal
During your dress rehearsal, invite your pup and having them wear anything you might have them wear on the actual wedding day, such as outfits or harnesses. Getting to the venue before everyone else will allow your dog to become accustomed to the area before the actual rehearsal begins. Again, positive reinforcement will come in handy at your doggy dress rehearsal.
The Day Of
On the day of the wedding, make sure your pup is walked, fed, and has gone to the bathroom. By doing these things, you are ensuring they do not have any unnecessary distractions during the day. This day could be quite busy for the nuptials, so having a friend or family member help with these things can take a lot of stress out of the day.
With these tips and tricks, your dog should be well-behaved and add a great element to your special day.