Learning the command "come"

Now that your pet know its name, the next step is to teach them to come on command.  You can teach a puppy to come using the word "come" or any other word or short phase you like (such as "get over here", "lets go", or "come here").  Dogs learn words best that are novel and distinctive. If you know a different language choose words or phases that you could use that your puppy will not hear all day long. Now you do not have to learn a 2nd language to train your dog, any words will do. This command can save your puppy's life because a dog who is under your control will not run off, or into traffic, or lunge at people. And they will not make a nuisance of themselves when you visit friends.  So pick any word you want, but use the same word or phase each time.

Caution Note: Never punish a dog for obeying you! Do not call your pet to you to reprimand them for something else. If you call them to come to you then punish them they will not come the next time, which defeats the purpose of this command.

Okay so lets start with call your pets name. Use the name in a happy, upbeat, tone of voice, complete with smiling, to elicit the orientation response we talked about in the previous post.
Then as they begin to approach you on their own say "come" adding a salutations as she walks toward you, followed by strokes and gentle handling. "G-o-o-o-d Come! G-o-o-o-d Come!" The word "come" and the intonation of your happy voice are now becoming connected to the pets happy feelings, and they will experience that happy feeling in the future opportunities to come when they hear the word.
The key to success here is to act as thought it was the dogs idea.  It is a technique that allows the dog to connect the action of walking toward you with your giving praise, and that she is responsible for "making" you give her the praise and attention when she hears "come here"
Try whispering the instruction and praise as she approaches. Both of you will be happy!

For getting the whole family involved with the "come command" try the following technique.
Have the family sit in a circle around the puppy, within leash length (a 6' leash works well here). After the first person has finished stroking the puppy, toss her leash to someone else in the circle who repeats the come command.
You may extend the distance as training  the Come proceeds.  You should also do come in different areas of the house, backyard, front yard, in "strange" territory like a park or playground, and so on, as you introduce your pet to those different locations in the next several weeks.

Now I have a hard time with this command personally, I like to use the word "here" or "come here" but I have not had a lot of success with training young pups that are easily distracted this command. So I have found for younger pups that the leash technique is best.

I hope this gives you the tools to help train and teach your pets. I will be back soon with a new command, but in the mean time keeping working with your pets with these two commands.

Good Luck                                                       

Susan
KCPS

"Let's learn tricks"

I have mostly just been sharing information of my pets, clients, hints, tips, and tricks on the blog, but for the next few weeks I am going to start some sharing training ideas. I will be sharing things that I have learned over the years and some of the information will be coming from a book.  Dr. John C. Wright's "Ain't Misbehavin" is a wonderful book with great information on having happy, well-behaved pets. 

So lets get started, when is a good time to train your dog? Should you begin when she's finished playing or eating her main meal? This is not the ideal time to start teaching your pet because neither toys, nor a playful person, or treats, will likely motivate her to behave and learn a new skill. A better time to teach a new skill is before her meals or as a part of social play (that's play with someone, as opposed to solitary play with a toy) or prior to social play. Take advantage of your pets bio-psycho-social needs in deciding when to schedule a training session, to maximize your and your pets training success. 

Using motivation is always a great way to teach your pet. Either with small tidbits of treats, or play with a special toy, or just an enthusiastic verbal praise all of which are excellent motivators. I would attempt to use the verbal praise for it is always readily available and there is no need to wean your pet from the motivation. Toys are great for play time tricks and such, but you may not always have it with you, there for you still need to wean them from it to maintain skills all the time. Using treats is always a great item, for most pets are food motivated, but you have to wean them so that they are not expecting treats every time they sit, stay, or come. But you have to use which every motivation you pets respond to the best and you can mix them up to accomplish the task at hand. 

When you begin training your pet you should start with the basics, these commands are essential to a well mannered pet, and will make you life much easier and may even save your pet's life. These basic commands include come, sit, off, and of course your pet's name. 

The first thing your pet should learn is their name.  An 8 to 10 week old puppy is probably not wedded to any name yet but if he's come with a name that you can live with, why not use it. 

Dr. Wright has two techniques helpful in teaching a pet his name. The first works by call his name abruptly and with great anticipation and expression. Do this when he's  a foot or three  from you and you are sitting on the floor with him. When he look in your direction, point your finger at your face, so he will get used to looking at you when he hears his name.  He will pay attention to your hands because, for him they are source of pleasure, and important "stimuli" that move.  He will also see your "smile face", which he will learn precedes things that feel good to him. Now, at the same time that he looks at your eyes, give him some whooping big social praise: "Go-o-od (pets name) 

The second technique is call his new name softly, in a whisper. At first, do this when he is lying calmly, then work up to more normal household ambient noise and situations, keeping your volume the same.  Repeat it in the same manner- sitting close to him on the floor- and with the same hand gesture you used with the first technique.  You may be surprised at how well he pays attention when you make it fun- there's something in it for him-but it also depends on your acting ability. He has to be convinced your are just thrilled that he looked at you when you whispered his name. 

Now if your pet already knows his name this post probably is not going to help you out much, but the next ones will.  

Another thing to think about choose your words wisely. Think about what word you are going to use for each command.  Try and make each one different or doesn't sound too similar.  One I used to always have trouble with was off or get down.  Does off mean "get off me" or "get off the couch"? Same for get down. So set down and think about what words you want to use for each command.  Get the family involved and make it a fun thing to do, and make sure everyone that is involved with the pet uses the same words, always for each command, that way there is no confusion. 

Our next post will be a very important and tough one to learn. Come!

Hope this helps some of my readers out and I look forward to hearing about any successful training.  

Susan

KCPS

HOT! HOT! HOT!

With the temperature is already soaring into the 90's I feel it is necessary to spread the word about animals in the heat.

When at home and outside make sure your pet has lots of shade and water, adding ice cubes to the water will help it stay cooler longer.  If you do not have trees to provide shade you can make shade with a tarp and some 2x4's or even some plywood. Don't leave them out for extended periods of time and keep a check on your pets when they are outside alone. It does not take long for a dog to over exert itself in hot temps. Remember dogs do not sweat, if your dog is lethargic and panting heavily bring them in and cool them off.

As for dogs in cars, my recommendation is never never leave a dog in a car in the hot temperature. Even with the windows cracked it can still reach high temps inside a vehicle. If it is 78 degrees outside the temps inside can reach between 100 degrees and 120 degrees in minutes. If it is 90 degrees outside the temps inside can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Exposure to extreme heat can lead to brain damage, heatstroke and death. If it is too hot leave them at home.

If you do come across a dog in a parked car, take down the car information and call the proper authorities, stay there until someone arrives and try to locate the owner. If the authorities are too slow and the dog looks to be in distress, with a witness take the appropriate measures to get the dog out.  Get the dog to a cool location and start cooling them off. NEVER USE ICE WATER to cool off a dog. Use cool water either by spraying them or take cool rags and put on the paws, chest, and groin areas.

Also keep in mind when walking your dog to stay off asphalt. Damage can happen in minuets to a dogs paws when on hot asphalt.

Please be aware of your pets in hot weather, they can not tell you if they are hot and uncomfortable.


I hope you share this with your friends.


Susan
KCPS