Tips For Training Your Dog

By Tanya M. Petrokov

From The Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) L.A.W.S., P.O. Box 156, Smiths Falls, ON, K7A 4T1:

If you have ever had the pleasure of owning a dog, then you are familiar with the wonderful feeling of having it come to you when called. Alternatively, you may be one of the many dog owners who has just about ruptured a vocal chord trying to get your dog to return only to have it ignore you completely. Occasionally, we may be lucky enough to have a dog that seems to inherently understand the need to return to you when called. When this happens, it can be case of luck or an accident of nature. Usually, it is the result of training along with consistent repetition and reward.

More often than not, we have happily let the family dog out in the morning to find ourselves frustrated and angry that he has not returned. We wander out in search of the dog only to realize the door has locked behind us and we are standing there in our pyjamas, or worse!!!!

Having a dog that does not return to you when called can be dangerous for the dog and you may risk losing him, he may dart into heavy traffic or wander off. For the dog’s own safety, he may have to miserably spend the majority of his time on a very short leash.

There are a couple of tricks to keep in mind when trying to teach your dog to come to when called but probably the most important is to always be consistent. When you first attempt to train your dog to come to you it will likely run off hoping you will chase it (as you have probably done in the past). At first your dog will continue to go the other way when called but resist the urge to loose your cool. If your frustration leads you to yell at your dog it will set you even further back. It is important to always be nice to your dog every time he comes to you. If he fears you, even once, he will be reluctant to come to you. Yet, if he receives a warm greeting each time he returns he will be keen to repeat his actions and subsequently get more approval.

Firstly, try calling him and if returns to you immediately reward him with a treat. Next, have a long leash available for training. Call him to return to you and if he does not immediately return then carefully reel him in using the line. Do not reward him but certainly do not punish him either.

The next important part, is to state the command only once. Your dog has a keen sense of hearing so if he did not return to you when called it is not because he didn’t hear you. He is choosing to ignore you and yelling is not the answer and will only make the dog want to put more distance between himself and his angry owner. If he does not immediately come when called you must be prepared to follow through and go and get him. The dog will begin to understand that you are prepared to enforce your commands. Be prepared to repeatedly go out and calmly retrieve him if he does not return to you when called. Again, if he DOES return to you be sure to reward him with a treat, a kind word and encouraging pat.

Although this is a simplistic training model, it emphasizes the important aspects of teaching which include patience, consistency, diligence on your part and a positive, reward-oriented motivation. For a lucky few, Fido will catch on in a few sessions. The rest of us will take a little longer but eventually you will have a dog that gladly returns to you when called. Remember, most dogs are motivated by a desire to please their owners so we are the most important influence on their behaviour. “Dog Training for Dummies” is an excellent resource book for dog owners. It will help you understand your dog and it helped this author formulate this article.