They’ll come more often if it’s a good thing
We taught our dog to come when called during obedience classes. It worked. Lately, she is starting to show her old self, refusing to listen when we call her. If she does decide to listen, she saunters and wanders. How do we get the good behaviour back?
Teaching a dog to come when called, a recall, is an essential skill. The big secret to getting a good recall is to make sure the dog loves doing it.
It’s important to remember that dogs are always learning whether we are actively teaching or not. They can learn to come when called. They can also learn that coming when called is no longer worth doing. They can change their mind.
People often fall into old habits once classes finish. Obedience crumbles. Deterioration usually stems from little things.
We call our dogs before leaving for work. Dogs learn that we leave when they come to us. When dogs need baths or nail trims, we call them. Many dogs do not enjoy these things. Coming when called leads to something unpleasant. When out at the park, we call them to go home. Dogs learn that coming when called ends their fun. Quickly, the command becomes tainted. It starts to predict things that the dog dislikes.
These and other similar scenarios chip away at the value that was so carefully construct- ed during classes. Taking a cue for granted causes it to fall apart over time. If you want a dog to reliably come when called, you need to protect it and maintain it.
To fix the problem there are two choices. One would be to revisit the training. However, if the behaviour has deteriorated too far, then it may be necessary to start over with a new word.
Remember to call dogs for positive reasons. Do so through the dog’s life. For example, call dogs so you can pay them and send them back out into the yard.
Remember, small negatives do significant damage. Think before using this very important command. Insulate against the negatives. Avoid calling the dog for anything they might perceive as negative if at all possible.
My daughter is starting school in September. When she does, I will be returning to work. Our dog will be left home for the first time. How do I prepare my dog for the change in his schedule?
Getting on this problem early is the key. Anyone who is facing a scheduling change in September should start preparing now. There are a few things that can be done to make the transition easier. Start by assessing what the dog can currently handle. Training should be based on the individual skills of the dog. Work toward where they need to be. Each dog is different. Customize training to fit your dog.
Create opportunities where the dog is left alone, but you can check in. For example, spend some time in the yard while the dog spends brief periods in the house. Leave them with safe busy toys and chews. Teach them that alone time is something to look forward to.
Transition to new schedules in small steps. Adjust eating, exercise and sleep schedules so they support their new routine. Revisit crate training if it is needed, while there is still time to retrain if it is required.
Finally, if there isn’t enough time to transition your dog fully, start looking for a responsible walker or sitter now. Many will create a plan where they arrive a little later each week. This helps dogs to learn to stay alone for longer periods of time gradually.