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Coming when called

Your dog must learn that you are the leader and what you say is law. Your dog will test your leadership ability. If you are not assertive, he himself will assume the responsibility for leading. A dog that runs away or will not come when called is simply saying, "I am the leader and I will do what I please."

The best way to establish leadership is to begin a training program. Schedule a minimum of three fifteen-minute sessions per day and teach only one thing at a time. Do not go over fifteen minutes because your dog will lose his attention span and you will lose your patience!

The three most essential commands to teach your dog are "sit," "stay," and "come." The three are related. The training will begin in the house, but once learned must be re-taught outside. The distractions of being outside necessitates reintroduction and reinforcement of each learned skill. After you have taught your dog to sit/stay, walk him outside, with leash attached, and practice sit/stays. Once he trusts you and knows that when he is given a command he will get rewarded by verbal praise and a food tidbit, he will more readily come when you call him.

If this method does not work, put him on a thirty-foot light nylon line. Tie the line to a stake in the ground. Stand by the stake, then release him. Just before he gets stopped by the light line, call his name followed by "Come." If he does not stop or come, the line will stop him. Reel him back in to the stake and start all over again until he does come. When he finally does, give him a ton of praise, then try him off the line. After you have had success in an enclosed yard, try these procedures in an open space.

Do not ever call your dog and then punish him for some reason. He will quickly learn not to come when called. Do not give the command several times in quick succession. Say it once, wait, then repeat it. Do not go after your dog when he wanders off because this will become a game of run and chase. Be consistent in the way you give the command. Use praise every time a command is obeyed.