When you first set out to teach your pet dog or puppy to come, there are a few tips and tricks that Im going to share with you, to make it more successful!
I have adapted these free techniques from the outstanding ‘Secrets to Dog Training‘ by Daniel Stephens. Read more here, by checking the product out now.
“Come dog”
Firstly, and possibly the most crucial, is that you should never call your dog over if you are going to do something that he might class as ‘negative’ to him.. Some prime examples are things such as tying him up, bathing him (if he doesnt like that!), locking him up, smacking or yelling at him etc..
Never call and then punish your dog for something like running away when he comes over. Your dog will think he’s being punished for doing as his master says.If your dog already knows bad associations with come, like he thinks it equals 'run now!' or if your dog starts to ignore you, try using a new command that sounds diffferent.
Forget your old come command and teach this exercise using a new, clear word. 'Here' or 'Hey' are popular ones, but really its up to you to use any command that you think will work.
In the perfect world, your dog should hear this new command, stop what hes doing and come sit in front of you, ideally that is! For ease, its best to treat this teaching process this as two separate exercises.
Both exercises are best done seperatly, till your dog has them completely mastered. When this time comes, bring them together.
“Come sit in front of me”
Start with putting your dog on a short ish leash. With a treat ready, get your pets attention and hold up the treat at nose neight while taking 4 steps backwards.
When your dog is in front of you, stop and raise the treat up a little, so the dog is motioned to sit and wait.
Command your dog to sit and if and when he does, reward him with the treat, by lowering it to his mouth. Never let him jump up to get it!
Next, try the whole thing again while keeping your ground instead of moving back. Try eliminating guiding with food and switch to simply reinforcing a correct ‘come in and sit” command. This will help your dog accept praise as a reward.
You can read part two of this article, for free, as my website (that has hundreds of other free dog training tips) here, at dog commands.
Posted under Dog Articles, Dog Tips, Dogs General
This post was written by admin on May 3, 2009
