Spring Training for Dogs: A Fresh Season, Better Connection
Spring Training: The Season of Second Chances (and Stronger Recalls)
As the days grow longer and the air starts to soften, there’s a shift in energy. For dog parents, it’s the perfect time for a different kind of spring training. Not the kind with stadiums and scoreboards, but the kind that happens in backyards, on thawing trails, and in wide-open parks. The kind that builds trust, one recall at a time.
Whether you're raising a puppy or working with a seasoned trail companion, spring is the ideal time to recommit to training. Here's why it matters and how to make the most of it.
Why Spring Training Works
After a long winter of short days and cabin fever, dogs are eager to get out and move more. That natural motivation makes spring the perfect time to reinforce or introduce the behaviors that matter most:
• Energy is up. Dogs want to run, sniff, and play. These are all great motivators when channeled the right way.
• Distractions are back. Birds, smells, and people return in full force, making spring a great time for real-world training.
• New environments create new opportunities to generalize cues. Practicing “come” indoors is one thing. Getting your dog to respond outside, mid-sniff, is where the real work happens.
• You’re more consistent. Warmer weather means more time outdoors, which naturally leads to more frequent training sessions.
Focus on What Matters Most
Spring is a great time to revisit the core behaviors that give your dog more freedom and give you more peace of mind:
• Recall (Coming When Called): The gold standard for off-leash reliability. Keep it positive, exciting, and generously rewarded. If you're looking to improve this skill, check out our blog post, Mastering the Art of Dog Recall: Essential Training for Off-Leash Freedom.
• Loose Leash Walking: With more walks happening, this is the perfect time to refresh leash manners and improve consistency.
• Leave It: Crucial for springtime distractions like animal scat, wildlife, or dropped trail snacks.
• Settle: After the romp comes the rest. Teaching your dog to relax on cue is helpful in parks, on patios, at campsites, and especially at home when you're ready to wind down, too.
Use Rewards That Are Worth It
Training outside comes with plenty of competition: smells, movement, sounds, other dogs, and people. If your reward can’t beat that, your dog won’t care.
That’s why we created Mountain Wild Training Treats with 100% wild elk and venison. No fillers, no grains, and nothing artificial. Just real, wild protein dogs instinctively crave.
These high-value rewards are bite-sized, easy to carry, and perfect for those moments when your dog makes the right choice, even when everything around them is telling them not to.
Make It a Habit, Not a Chore
Consistency wins. But that doesn’t mean training has to feel like work for you or your dog.
• Keep sessions short and upbeat. Just 10 to 15 minutes a day can make a big difference.
• Incorporate training into walks and wild roaming adventures. It doesn’t have to be separate from the fun.
• Celebrate the little wins. The first time your dog turns away from a squirrel and comes back to you is a big moment.
Your Spring Training Challenge
Want to see real progress? Here's a simple challenge:
Commit to 10 to 15 minutes of training, 5 days a week for the next 4 weeks. Focus on one or two core behaviors, bring high-value rewards, and gradually increase the level of distraction. By the end of the month, you’ll be amazed at the progress, and your dog will be too.
Snap a photo or video of your sessions and tag us @mountainwildpet. We’d love to cheer you on.
Spring Isn’t Just a Season. It’s a Fresh Start.
If winter slowed you down, spring is your second chance. It’s the season for second tries, longer walks, muddy paws, and energized training sessions that feel more like play.
And if you’re consistent, patient, and reward the heck out of the good stuff, your dog will rise to the occasion. Every time.
Ready to start your own spring training?
Grab some high-value rewards (our wild elk and venison treats were made for this), find a trail or park, and make the most of the season. Because training isn’t just about obedience. It’s about building consistency, confidence, and a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Here’s to wide open spaces, stronger connections, and the kind of training that brings out the best in both of you. Good luck!