Tuesday, February 20, 2024
If this is the only idea you master you may save your dog's life. This skill or behavior is similar to brushing your teeth or putting on deodorant, you can tell who does or doesn't.
Coming when called is vital to your dog's health and is something to integrate into your life. Playing hide n seek around the house, using a long leash at a park, calling them to come randomly and then immediately letting them go back to playing
Below are a few of my recommendations to start dog training. If you want the complete list, press I'm In!!
When I learned this how I thought about dog training changed. What if I associate "come" to a fun and fast game of chase. Dogs love to chase things and to be chased, but chasing them doesn't work out well for training. That's one of those iceberg problems, where at home it is cute to try and catch your dog, but gets really serious when it's not safe.
There are many more tips and tricks to teaching an amazing recall but what really made the difference is realizing, dogs are prey animals that love movement and chasing. If you can integrate small games of chase around the house, on leash, or at dog parks, your dog will be part of the 1% that enthusiastically comes when called. All because I believe it is much more than a rigid command, it is a test of how much your dog values you and your relationship.
If they come I celebrate with them and if they don't I realize I need more time training. I love it because I am in control of what my dog thinks of me and what they associate to coming when called.
Over the last 6 years I have collected quite a few stories, pictures, and mindsets that I will be documenting here. This is meant to be a resource for myself to look back on and for anyone else who finds it useful. Thank you and remember the secret is in the sequence!