There’s something comforting about curling up on the couch after a long day, remote in one hand and your dog snoozing at your feet. But what if you could make that chill time more productive? Believe it or not, your TV time can double as training time for your pup. With just a little effort and consistency, you can sneak in simple lessons and reinforce good habits—all without missing a second of your favorite show.
1. Practice “Settle” During Commercials
Use commercial breaks to your advantage. When the ads come on, ask your dog to lie down on a mat or in their bed. Reward them for staying calm and in place. Over time, your dog will start to associate those breaks with quiet time and relaxation. This not only helps them learn to settle, but it’s also a handy behavior for real-world situations like vet visits or coffee shop outings.
2. Refresh Basic Commands During Show Intros
Before the episode picks up speed, spend a minute practicing basic cues like sit, stay, come, or touch. Keep a small bowl of treats nearby and make it part of your routine. Repetition in low-stress moments builds confidence, and your dog won’t even notice they’re being trained.
3. Use Treat-Dispensing Toys Strategically
While your show plays, give your dog a treat-dispensing toy or a stuffed Kong. This encourages independent focus and problem-solving skills. While this isn’t traditional obedience training, it reinforces patience and self-regulation—two incredibly useful life skills for dogs.
4. Train Impulse Control With Remote “Leave It”
Place a low-value treat on the coffee table and cue your dog to “leave it.” Watch them out of the corner of your eye while the show plays. If they resist the urge to grab it, praise them or offer a different treat as a reward. This type of training helps dogs build impulse control in real-life scenarios.
5. Work on Eye Contact and Engagement
Every so often, mute the TV and say your dog’s name. When they look at you, mark the behavior with a “yes!” and give a reward. Training your dog to focus on you—even with distractions around—is incredibly valuable, and it takes just a few seconds at a time.
6. Build Up Duration for “Place” or “Stay”
Ask your dog to stay on a mat or dog bed at the start of your show, and see how long they can hold it. Slowly increase the duration each day. Use praise or treats at intervals to keep them motivated. Over time, your dog will learn that hanging out calmly while you’re busy is a good thing.
Training doesn’t always have to be a dedicated block of time with formal cues and focused sessions. It can be simple, casual, and even part of your daily downtime. With a little creativity, your dog can learn new things while you catch up on Netflix.
