 Teaching the dog to come when called
An essential and possibly life-saving component of every effective dog training program is teaching a dog to come when called. The sooner a dog learns this lesson, the better. All properly trained canines must learn to react immediately to the owner's voice.
It goes without saying that educating a dog to come when called has benefits. To begin with, responding to your call will assist you in regaining control of the dog if its collar, leash, or other similar equipment breaks. When you are out and about with your dog, especially in a busy place, this is very crucial. Even in the absence of a collar and leash and in the face of a multitude of other distractions, it is crucial that the dog recognizes your voice and come back to your side.
Every working dog has to be able to come when called. Whether the dog is employed to protect animals, herd lambs, or sniff out explosives and narcotics at the airport, it must always be completely under control, leashed or not.
Your dog has to acquire this crucial fundamental obedience skill even if his primary duty is to be a devoted friend. It's time to start implementing the come-when-called lessons into the daily training sessions once the basic obedience lessons, such as heeling, halting on command, sitting on command, etc., have been taught.
One thing to keep in mind while training a dog: Both the handler and the dog might grow bored and routine during training sessions. Just like a bored handler won't make a good instructor, a bored dog won't be open to learning. Therefore, it's crucial to include games and other enjoyable activities in every training session. Before the class starts, including a few minutes of playtime to improve both the dog's and the human's dispositions. Similarly, wrapping off each training session with a few minutes of free play is a terrific way to leave on a high note and to support the dog's association of obedience training with joy and not boredom.
In obedience training exercises, the instructions to remain and to come when called are often coupled since they make sense together. Begin by asking the dog to sit while it is still on a loose leash, and then gradually back away. Return to the dog and instruct him to sit once again if he starts to get up and follow you. Repeat this procedure until you can pull the leash all the way to the end without the dog getting up.
Try letting go of the leash entirely once you can consistently reach the end of the leash. Naturally, you'll want to do this in a controlled setting, like a yard with fencing. It's time to introduce the come when called command once the dog has learned the stay command.
Retake control of the leash and command the dog to come or to come here while holding it. When training this behavior, using a bait is often beneficial. The bait gives the dog something to concentrate on that is readily visible. A useful initial step in teaching the dog to come when called is to teach the dog to come to the lure.
In order for the dog to reliably remain and then come when called, repeat this method numerous times. Slowly begin introducing the notion when the leash is removed once the dog has mastered coming when called when connected to the leash. As previously, only a controlled, secure setting, such as a fenced-in front or backyard, should be used for these training sessions.
No matter where it is or what distractions may exist, an attentive, well-trained dog should return to its owner when called. Therefore, you must put the dog to the test using your own distractions.
Try inviting a neighbor over with the dog if you have one, ideally one who has a dog of his own. Repeat the come when called exercise with your dog off-leash while he and the dog stand just outside the fenced-in area. Put the leash back on and repeat the procedure if he becomes sidetracked by the other dog. No matter what distractions may be present, you want your dog to continually pay attention to your orders. See Fun Games For Dog Lovers
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