Come
Teaching Your Puppy to Come When Called
This is one of the most important commands your puppy will learn and one day could save your puppy’s life. It is well worth the time and effort required to teach it.
What it means:
Come here to me right now.
Verbal command – “your puppy’s name COME!”
Tone of voice – Friendly, Enthusiastic, Welcoming
Hand signal – none
Body Language:
Crouch down, lean forward, look inviting, encouraging, even playful. Remember to smile!
Enforcing the command:
When teaching this command be sure to always have your puppy on leash. If the puppy is highly distracted and pays no attention, or comes very slowly, give the leash a quick pop – just enough to get the puppy started in your direction, then use your voice and body language to bring your puppy in. For a very lazy or stubborn puppy, you may have to use a rather sharp tug on the leash to get your puppy up and moving in your direction.
Alternatively, you could turn and run the other way (with the leash in your hand). Stop running as soon as the puppy is headed your way.
Do’s and Don’ts:
Always use a positive tone of voice. This should be an enjoyable command for your puppy. All your body movements should be inviting. Give treats and rewards when your puppy comes. If correction is needed, remember to say “NO!” when pulling on the leash.
Avoid pulling your puppy all the way to you, or reeling him in like a fish. It’s better to give a sharp tug on the leash followed by a friendly voice, and then another sharp tug (if needed) followed always by friendliness. If you want your puppy to make the decision to come to you willingly, he must be given a chance to come of his own accord.
What your puppy learns:
To respond to his name. Teaches him to look to you for leadership, love, and all good things. Also begins to establish the necessary groundwork for a reliable “come when called no matter what”.
Written by: Shirley Gibson
Note:
You are welcome to share this post but ONLY IF you give credit and a link back to Teach Your Dog To Behave or shirleytwofeathers.com.
Teaching The Name
What it means:
I want your attention. I have something to tell you, show you, and/or give you.
Verbal command – “Your Puppy’s Name”
Tone of voice – Friendly, Enthusiastic
Hand signal – none
Body Language:
Friendly and inviting.
Enforcing the command:
When conditioning your puppy to this command (the first week) be sure to always have a food reward or beloved toy when saying the name. After the conditioning has been completed, inattention can be corrected using a shake can (or other loud startling noise). A quick pop on the leash is also an effective way to get your puppy’s attention. As soon as your puppy looks at you, praise him, be happy with him, and then say, show, or give whatever it was you had in mind initially.
Do’s and Don’ts:
Keep the treats out of sight (except for the first few days). Holding the treat behind your back is a good way to keep it out of sight. Give the treat AFTER the puppy has given the desired response rather than as bait to obtain the response.
Use your puppy’s name only when something good will happen. Do not use your puppy’s name in connection with a correction, or in a demanding, angry tone of voice. If correcting is needed, you can say “Bad Puppy!” or “Shame On You” or “No!”
Praise your puppy with enthusiasm whenever he responds to his name.
What your puppy learns:
That his name is his own special word, teaches him to look to you for leadership, love, and all good things. Also helps to establish the necessary groundwork for a reliable “Come” when called.
Written by: Shirley Gibson
Note:
You are welcome to share this post but ONLY IF you give credit and a link back to Teach Your Dog To Behave or shirleytwofeathers.com.
A Training Game
Here is a fun and useful “training” game you can play with your puppy. This game will reinforce (and teach) the following commands:
Sit * Stay * Sniff it * Find it * Come * No
You will need a willing puppy, a leash and collar, and a handful of yummy puppy biscuits, or other treats.
Begin by placing your puppy in a Sit / Stay. As soon as your puppy is settled, hold a biscuit in front of your puppy’s nose, saying Sniff It. Your puppy may grab for the treat, so hold it tight. If your puppy lunges for the treat, say NO, reinforce the Sit / Stay command, then repeat Sniff It. You might be able to see your puppy’s nose wiggle as he sniffs.
Place the treat on the floor where your puppy can see it. Insist that your puppy stay properly seated for a count of 10. Then, with an excited tone of voice, release your puppy from the Sit / Stay saying: OK! Find it! As soon as your puppy finds it, call your puppy to Come, praise your puppy, and then do it all over again.
A favorite toy can be substituted for a treat, but only if your puppy is highly motivated to find, get, and play with the toy.
Important:
During the teaching phase, the treat must be in plain sight and super easy to find. If your puppy seems confused, or has any trouble finding the treat, you must help him find it. Do several simple repetitions. As soon as your puppy understands the concept, begin gradually to increase the difficulty by hiding the treat in other rooms, or out of sight.
Note:
You are welcome to share this post but ONLY IF you give credit and a link back to Teach Your Dog To Behave or shirleytwofeathers.com.
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