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Dog Training-Training your life companion dog
to come when called
The primary reason for dogs failing to respond
to their owner’s call is a lack of proper dog training. Improper dog
training often includes situations where you confuse your dog with a
mix of both positive and negative outcomes from responding to your
dog training commands.
Dogs do have memories and are responsive to both positive and
negative experiences. Do you remember ever calling to your dog to
come and then punishing him for something he had done wrong just a
wee bit earlier? Do you consider that good dog training or do you
think that might both confuse your dog and perhaps scare him into
responding poorly in the future?
Your dog feels that he's as likely to get punished when responding
to your call. If all of his experiences were positive when called,
such as gentle touching, a hug, or a treat, he is
likely to associate being called with reward and show up willingly
with his tail wagging feverishly.
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But, if his experiences have often
been negative when responding to your calls, he will think
that your calls are the pain of punishment and hides when called.
Don’t
give up. Patient dog training will get things turned around. Take
the time to retrain your dog to come when called. Only this time your
come-when-called dog training sessions will focus on positive calls.
During your dog training periods, be aware of little situations that
might result in negative experiences for your dog. For example,
let’s say the phone rings during the dog training session. Don’t
just rush to the phone and leave your dog behind to wander around
and get into trouble. Take him with you to the phone so that you
remain in control through out the dog training session.
Because your schedule may only allow for short and infrequent bouts
of dog training, you must avoid unpleasant or negative calls that
might ruin the dog exercise. Also, if you need for your dog to take
a bath or get his nails cut don’t call him. Just go and get your dog
instead. It is not that dogs view baths and manicures as punishment
but I can assure you that only the smallest percentage of them enjoy
what you probably view as spa type pampering. To them it is
unpleasant and definitely detracts from the fun they were having at
the time. It will not help you in training your dog to come when
called.
The bottom line? Dog training is supposed to be enjoyable and
rewarding for your dog so make sure that is what he experiences.
Failure to pay attention to that principle can easily sabotage all
the hard work you put into training him to come when called. Your
dog will not forget that negative call experience. He will respond
by not coming to you when called.
Spend more time with your dog. On average, most dog training
sessions only last about 5 to 10 minutes a day. That’s absolutely
pitiful. Dogs are like babies. They bond with you through constant
interaction. Talk to them more. Dogs are sensitive to every action
you take. They learn not just during dog training lessons, but also
during the time when you are least aware of how your actions are
impacting them.
Now that you’ve grasped a little bit of dog psychology 101, let’s
get down to the actual training tips shall we?
Train your dog to come at times when your dog is excited and
hungry—meal times are perfect! Stick to a mealtime schedule. Food
only works as an incentive when your dog is hungry. Like a kid who
would do anything for his favorite toy, the dog will do most
anything for food. And it is not just dogs that are this way. Surely
you remember seeing on television what adults will do for a York
Peppermint Pattie!
Anyway, to see if your dog is game for a little dog training, take a
food nugget and wave it in front of his nose. If he shows no
enthusiasm, forget about the dog training—it’s not the right time
for your dog to be trained. You could give him one less meal to get
his motivation up. Your dog will not fall ill if he misses a meal.
Overindulging your dog will make him less obedient just like your
own children and thereby will not come to you when called.
Ok now your dog is finally hungry and ready to take on a dog
training lesson. Start the dog training out by giving him some
nuggets. Next, back up a few feet and say “Come here boy” or
whatever works while at the same time holding a nugget in your
outstretched hand at your dog’s nose level. When he comes, praise
him and give him the food. Do that a few times in succession.
Next, get him to sit at the end and grab hold of his collar or leash
before giving him the food so that he remains sitting until he gets
it. Also, it is sometimes better to stick to using the collar or
leash as some dogs are initially a bit testy about being touched,
especially if they had an abusive owner in the past.
Repeat each dog training technique several times in a row with you
quickly running backwards each time before calling him to come to
you again. When your dog gets used to the process, you can start
training him to sit and stay. Remember, be patient with your dog.
Don’t punish him just because he messes up occasionally. And, be
sure that this dog training exercise is only performed when your dog
is motivated. Make dog callings positive callings only. Stop
immediately when you sense that your dog has lost interest. Don’t
give your dog any food until the next meal time, which is also dog
training time. Last, train him to come when called with a random dog
treat.
To facilitate this dog training lesson, remember these rules.
Exercise. Your dog runs to you when he’s energetic and likes to run.
Exercising does that.
Make your dog associate coming to you as a pleasant, rewarding
thing.
Use a leash if necessary. If your dog doesn’t come, you can give him
a low pressure pull to guide him. This way you don’t have to call
out 1 thousand times “come here boy.”
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