Dog
and cat pet tips - on Pets.ca
Cat illness, dog is sick, behavior
problems....Once a week Pets.ca will publish a pet tip.
Tip - 40 - Dog training
- Come
One of the most important
training exercises to teach your dog is to come when called. The
primary goal is that the dog always stops what it's doing and
returns to you. Since a dog can easily get into trouble in
many different circumstances (like chasing something) it is a
crucial command to learn ASAP for the dog's safety and for your
peace of mind.
The key to this exercise
is consistency and reward immediacy. The dog must ALWAYS and
for the rest of its life get a reward every time you say come
and he/she comes. At first give the dog a food reward along with
saying 'good dog!' in an enthusiastic tone of voice. Make a big
deal over it. Once the dog has mastered the command, exchange the
food reward for a good petting or give the dog its favorite toy
while enthusiastically saying 'good dog!' Once the dog comes, give
it the reward immediately. Don't search for it in your pockets
or bag. Have it ready.
This exercise
is best carried out with 2 people. It is best to start the exercise
for the first time when the dog is alert and hungry. Have 1 person
hold the dog by the collar, while you show the dog a food reward
and back up. Stop about 7-10 feet from the dog and say the dog's
name and the word 'come'. The person lets go of the collar. As
the dog approaches you, you bend down to its level and once it
gets to you, you give the reward immediately along with an enthusiastic "good
dog!". Try the same thing again but this time but go out
of site. Keep practicing the exercise while varying the distance
between you and the dog until the dog has learned it. Next take
the dog outside on a leash to a reasonably quiet place and teach
the same command even though there are many more distractions.
When you call the dog, have the second person (this time holding
a leash for safety) run with the dog toward you. Reward as above.
Once you feel confident the dog is learning well, in a safe enclosed
area, let the dog roam around leash free and practice again.
Vary the distance between you and the dog until for everyone's
sake, the dog always comes when called.
Tips:
- Never vary the phrasing of the command. It should always be the dog's name
FIRST then 'come'. If anyone else in the family uses the come command it
should always be 'come' not 'come here'. Consistency is of paramount importance.
- Never use the word come for something the dog thinks is bad like disciplining
it harshly, a trip to the vet, or taking a pill etc.The dog must always associate
the 'come' command with something good. If you are ending a fun activity,
don't say come and then put the leash on and take the dog home. Do another
short activity and then go home.
- Use whatever reward works best. If the dog stops coming when you switch to
a petting or a toy go back to a food reward or try a chew toy. Use whatever
works.
- If you cannot find another person to do the activity with when you are outdoors,
use a long leash attached to a stake or a tree and practice the activity that
way.
-Vary the location and the distraction level of this exercise often.
© Pets.ca
2007
www.pets.ca
See the
other pet tips here:
