Most dog owners can attest to the frustration, embarrassment and even danger when their dog decides to activate its selective hearing practices and ignores your command to 'come'. Here are some tips to teach your dog the rules.
Let's start with a few ground rules. When training a dog, it is easy to develop a 'sergeant major' tone, however, it is important to keep the training process fun and interesting. Keep your voice relaxed and use a 'happy' tone. Always praise your dog with cuddles and treats when it successfully completes the command.
Never call your dog to you to punish it and never chase after the dog. When playing with your dog, play games where the dog chases after you. If you develop a game where you chase the dog, it will have a natural tendency to run away from you!
Another important rule is to avoid repeating the command. Your dog should be taught to come on just one word, not 20! Repeating a command is an unpleasant vocal exercise (and an embarrassing one) for the owner, and it will also confuse the dog.
You can begin training this command as soon as the puppy is brought home. A puppy will usually want to stay close to its owner and you can apply the command when the puppy is naturally coming to you.
To extend the training, start in the backyard or a small enclosed area. Fit your puppy with a harness and attach the lead to it. Have treats on hand. Let the dog wander away, then call its name and say "Come".
Only say the command once and if the dog does not return immediately begin to pull in the lead. When the dog is in front of you, give it a treat and lots of praise. Never pull on a lead that is attached to a collar. A dog will naturally resist this type of pressure and dig in its heels leading to a negative experience for the animal.
Once the dog has returned successfully several times, remove the lead and try again. If the dog does not come immediately, throw the lead towards the dog to get its attention (but don't aim to hit the dog). The lead will land near the dog and will snap the animal to attention. Once you have the dog's attention, repeat the command once. While throwing the lead is not a standard training procedure, it has worked well for many people. Some say that it tells your dog that your arm is actually longer than it looks!
Practice this command on a daily basis until the dog is happy to always return to you. Thereafter, practice on a weekly or fortnightly basis in five-minute sessions. If your dog has ignored the command at the park, practice the command as soon as you get home using the lead and treats.
You can also teach this command with a physical stance whereby both your hands are stretched out either side from your body. This is useful for when your dog is a longer distance away from you.
Finally, avoid getting angry at your animal. A dog is usually so intrigued with the environment and is naturally stimulated and more interested in the butterflies, birds, smells and other animals. Using positive re-enforcement in a controlled environment along with a happy manner will quickly remind the dog that a recall is a fun thing to do.
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Written By: Paul Johnston
