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Whenever my dog comes when called, he should always know he’s a good boy. Coming to me should always be a positive experience for Ace, right up there with winning the lottery. Most dog owners know that, but it’s easy to get angry when we call our dogs over and over and they finally come after about three minutes.
When Ace and I were working at the park the other day, two women walked by with two black labs. Both dogs were off leash, I don’t think they even brought leashes. While one dog was trained better than the other and stayed close, the younger lab kept running over to Ace and I.
I don’t mind when someone’s friendly dog runs up to me. But here’s the problem:
These women kept calling their dog several times and when he did finally did come, they yelled “Bad dog!” over and over, flipped him onto his back, stood over him and even slapped him (to intimidate, not physically hurt him). The dog instantly became very submissive, with his tail between his legs and ears back. But what these women didn’t realize was how they were teaching their dog that running away is a lot more fun than coming back.
This same routine happened at least six times in a matter of 20 minutes. They kept letting the dog go, he’d instantly run over to Ace and I or anyone else in the park, the women would scream at him to come, he’d come after about 30 seconds and then they’d start in on the “Bad dog!” all over again.
I couldn’t take it. I went over and explained to the women what they were doing wrong. They were actually very happy to hear some advice, any advice. The thing is, people usually have very good intentions and love their dogs very much, but don’t always stop and think about training from a dog’s point of view.
Believe me, I get upset with my dog all the time. But it does no good to show anger. When we loose our tempers with our dogs, nothing good can be accomplished.
Click here for tips on teaching your dog to come when called.
(Image from petloverstips.com)
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September 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 am
Great point – who wants to go over to anyone when they are angry!? Rewarding the behavior goes a long way to making it permanent.
Apryl DeLanceys last blog post..Sunday Sports Wrap – September 21, 2008
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
We have had to “reward” our dogs when they come to us even after being scared to death and wanting to scream at the top of our lungs because we KNOW that we need to reward them. But it is hard!
One time Trooper jumped out of the back of our truck (over the lift gate which was closed as we tried to put his leash on), parked on a very busy road) and took off toward the freeway!!!!!! At first we freaked and then instead of chasing him we started our sing songing and calling him while we ran the other way. Thank God it worked! Total panic was our first reaction though.
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I SO agree with you! It always makes me cringe when I see a dog owner who finally gets their dog to come, and then yells at him for coming.
Biggie-Zs last blog post..Diary of a Kenneled Kuv (Day 2)
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
good for you to try to explain to these morons what they were doing. I’m often amazed at how poorly some people relate to dogs.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Oh my gosh, you did so good! It’s amazing to me that people think that punishing a dog after he does come, will make the dog come! Nononoooo!!! The coming has to always be positive, even if we are pissed as heck because it took them five minutes to come!
I am taking my new dogs to the dog park too, and I have to bring treats even though I’m not supposed to, so that they get used to coming back to me, then running off again. Coming does not end the fun, it just makes for more fun! These rescues are hard sometimes they don’t want to come at all. Chase wouldn’t when we first got him, but I have faith Tatum and Muffit will get it!
Cynthias last blog post..Happy Birthday Boys
September 24th, 2008 at 7:22 am
We make a game of this one at the moment around the house, food in hand…and we’ve had to stop saying her name except when we want her to come…and breaking up her play/beach time…and calling her, just so she knows coming doesnt mean the end of whatever fun shes into…
Our Chelsea girl is definitely a work in progress..:)
good post Lindsay
Abz & Chelss last blog post..Our Pup
September 25th, 2008 at 8:28 am
That’s super that the people were willing to listen when you gave them some training tips. I’m sure they’ll see an improvement in the recall if they keep it positive for the dog.