Tired of chasing Fido down the street or begging for him to come home? Sounds like management is missing. Management is setting your dog up to succeed by not allowing them to scew up (run away or be off leash if they are not reliable to come to you).
So does that mean your dog is on a leash always and forever?
No.
So where do you start?
1. start with rewarding your dog for looking at you when you say their name
2. when outside, have your dog drag a leash or line that you can step on if need be. If the go to the end of the line, and then look back at you or come back to you- reward them
3. if your dog is frequently looking at you- begin to reward this as well
That's it for starters...more to come on how to take the next step.
Happy Calling!
Sweets
Leigh Siegfried, CPDT-KA and the Opportunity Barks staff make occasional posts on dog training and puppy training tips and resources, enrichment and the human-animal bond. We work with dogs and their owners in Philadelphia, Bucks County and the surrounding areas. We're certified, award-winning and Vet recommended and offer private tutoring, boarding and training programs, and group dog training classes, workshops and clinics. www.opbarks.com
good people
Though Sweets hasn't met them, I'm grateful to be networking with some awesome positive trainers and dog folks in the Philly area. And on the same note, Tater and Sweets are getting along swimmingly, mouth wrestling, squeaking and romping like the nuts that they are. Tater may have a new nickname- occassionally he will pee in his sleep. He doesn't wake from sleep squat and pee a river, but will go while he is sleeping and wake up wet...after snoozing in his own little lake. Today there was a little leakage that he had slept on, and that wet spot on the side of his face and on his ears...well, it wasn't drool. So, Pee-ear or Pierre may be his name sake for a few days, but is much to stuffy to stick as a nick name for my little Tater Lou.
critters return
Well, if it wasn't in the pasture, then it's got to be the woods. Sweets has begun obcessing at a new spot, and today indeed, as she was leashed up and shamefully (I imagine it's like being caught sneaking out), walked back up to the house, we heard some' "thing" making noise in that hole. So, once again, the live trap is set- for what we don't know.
Again, it's a perfect example of single event learning. Ever since one scuffle with a ground hog, she is 99% of the time will run directly into the pasture. Now, that she has discovered a new critter, about 50% of the time, she runs to the pasture and 50% of the time, breezes by the barn and heads for the woods. Which made me think- if I planted something that she is motivated by- turkey feathers, etc. in the pasture, would she be more likely to continue to run there...
We'll see. There is nothing that competes with whatever is under that rock. How do I know? Physically she is panting, eyes bulging, nose trailing on the ground and will consistently try to circle back, break loose and go to that spot. No meatball will fit the bill, so, in the meantime, the trap is set, the leash is on and romping in the pasture will be handsomely reawarded.
Again, it's a perfect example of single event learning. Ever since one scuffle with a ground hog, she is 99% of the time will run directly into the pasture. Now, that she has discovered a new critter, about 50% of the time, she runs to the pasture and 50% of the time, breezes by the barn and heads for the woods. Which made me think- if I planted something that she is motivated by- turkey feathers, etc. in the pasture, would she be more likely to continue to run there...
We'll see. There is nothing that competes with whatever is under that rock. How do I know? Physically she is panting, eyes bulging, nose trailing on the ground and will consistently try to circle back, break loose and go to that spot. No meatball will fit the bill, so, in the meantime, the trap is set, the leash is on and romping in the pasture will be handsomely reawarded.
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