Coming to You

Begin this exercise when your puppy is alert and hungry. Divide your pet’s meal into ten equal portions, and throughout the day entice it to the food bowl by using its name and the command “Come”. Never recall the puppy to discipline it or do anything it might perceive as unpleasant, like giving it a pill, since it will associate returning to you with a disagreeable experience.

1. Stand a short distance away from the puppy, in a quiet room with no distractions. A hallway is an ideal location. With a food treat visible in your hand, speak the puppy’s name and, as it begins to move forward, give the command “Come”.
2. As the puppy moves toward you, praise it by saying the words “Good dog” using a bright and enthusiastic tone of voice. Encourage the puppy to come directly to you by bending your knees and opening your arms wide.
3. As the puppy approaches, kneel down to get closer to its level. Praise the puppy again with words, stroking, and the food reward. In order to maintain the interest of the dog, vary the locations in which the training takes place.

Problem Solving

The tired dog

Dogs – and puppies in particular – have short attention spans and training is mentally exhausting for them. Training for only 5 to 15 minutes at a time, and never when the dog is tired. You should also plan training periods to occur before the dog embarks on active exercise, so that it is mentally and physically prepared for the session. Varying the places in which you train the dog helps maintain its interest.

The distracted dog

If the dog does not respond to a food reward, alter its feeling routine, giving fewer meals (but larger quantities). If it still does not respond well to food treats, try using a favorite squeaky toy as a reward.

The willful dog

If the puppy is strong-willed, always carry out any training exercise with it on a lead. This ensures that you can always attract the puppy’s attention and reminds it that it must listen and respond.

NEW COMPLETE DOG TRAINING MANUAL, Dr. Bruce Fogle