Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Teaching your dog to come when called

Before letting your dog go outside and just hoping he or she will return, tie a 10 to 15 foot piece of cotton clothes line to the collar. Stay within reach of the clothes line and when you ask your dog to COME, if it should look at you like your crazy, simply pick up the clothes line and give it a little jerk. Do not pull your dog to you, simply give it a little jerk and repeat the command. Once your dog is heading your way, praise it and say "COME". Once your dog is in front of you ask it to sit and tell it how wonderful it is. The trick to this lesson is, don't get mad at your dog for not coming, be in control by having the clothes line attached prior to your dog going outside. Once you are in control of the situation your dog can't get out of control. Try it, you will be surprised how easy it is and how well your dog will respond to direction. Please don't give me the excuse you were in a hurry or the rope wasn't around or you couldn't find it when you needed it. Hang the rope on the door knob or put a small nail in the wall so the rope will always hang there and be ready to use. This lesson will need to be done until your dog responds to the COME command. It could take a while so be patient and be consistent. You will wish you were consistent when your friend gets hit by a car and your heart is breaking. Please don't let your best friend get hurt because you were too lazy to hang the rope by the door.

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