| Most dog owners can attest to the | | | | type of pressure and dig in its heels leading |
| frustration, embarrassment and even danger | | | | to a negative experience for the animal.Once |
| when their dog decides to activate its | | | | the dog has returned successfully several |
| selective hearing practices and ignores your | | | | times, remove the lead and try again. If the |
| command to 'come'. Here are some tips to | | | | dog does not come immediately, throw the lead |
| teach your dog the rules.Let's start with a | | | | towards the dog to get its attention (but |
| few ground rules. When training a dog, it is | | | | don't aim to hit the dog). The lead will land |
| easy to develop a 'sergeant major' tone, | | | | near the dog and will snap the animal to |
| however, it is important to keep the training | | | | attention. Once you have the dog's attention, |
| process fun and interesting. Keep your voice | | | | repeat the command once. While throwing the |
| relaxed and use a 'happy' tone. Always praise | | | | lead is not a standard training procedure, it |
| your dog with cuddles and treats when it | | | | has worked well for many people. Some say |
| successfully completes the command.Never call | | | | that it tells your dog that your arm is |
| your dog to you to punish it and never chase | | | | actually longer than it looks!Practice this |
| after the dog. When playing with your dog, | | | | command on a daily basis until the dog is |
| play games where the dog chases after you. If | | | | happy to always return to you. Thereafter, |
| you develop a game where you chase the dog, | | | | practice on a weekly or fortnightly basis in |
| it will have a natural tendency to run away | | | | five-minute sessions. If your dog has ignored |
| from you!Another important rule is to avoid | | | | the command at the park, practice the command |
| repeating the command. Your dog should be | | | | as soon as you get home using the lead and |
| taught to come on just one word, not 20! | | | | treats.You can also teach this command with a |
| Repeating a command is an unpleasant vocal | | | | physical stance whereby both your hands are |
| exercise (and an embarrassing one) for the | | | | stretched out either side from your body. |
| owner, and it will also confuse the dog.You | | | | This is useful for when your dog is a longer |
| can begin training this command as soon as | | | | distance away from you.Finally, avoid getting |
| the puppy is brought home. A puppy will | | | | angry at your animal. A dog is usually so |
| usually want to stay close to its owner and | | | | intrigued with the environment and is |
| you can apply the command when the puppy is | | | | naturally stimulated and more interested in |
| naturally coming to you.To extend the | | | | the butterflies, birds, smells and other |
| training, start in the backyard or a small | | | | animals. Using positive re-enforcement in a |
| enclosed area. Fit your puppy with a harness | | | | controlled environment along with a happy |
| and attach the lead to it. Have treats on | | | | manner will quickly remind the dog that a |
| hand. Let the dog wander away, then call its | | | | recall is a fun thing to do.For lots of easy |
| name and say "Come".Only say the command once | | | | to read articles, full of useful information |
| and if the dog does not return immediately | | | | that is sure to help you out with your pet or |
| begin to pull in the lead. When the dog is in | | | | pets, go to While you are there sign up for |
| front of you, give it a treat and lots of | | | | the PET NEWS email newsletter - it is FREE |
| praise. Never pull on a lead that is attached | | | | and packed with handy tips for pet owners. |
| to a collar. A dog will naturally resist this | | | | |