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Training TIPS
Teaching the Come Command
The "come" or "here" command is an absolute necessity for off-leash obedience work, and any advanced training, such as retrieving or handling in the field. Like any command, you must first
begin by educating your dog on the meaning of the command. I usually start by attaching a check cord to the dog in the yard. The check cord can simply be a piece of rope, 25-50 ft in length that can be attached to the dogs collar. Let the dog roam around the yard, sniffing and exploring the environment until the dog seems to have forgotten about you. When the dog has reached the boundary of the yard, or when you feel that the dog is sufficiently distracted, give the command "come" in a regular tone of voice. Praise your dog for any movement toward you in response to the command.
If your dog slows up or starts to ignore you, then you can use the check cord to reel the dog in, giving the come command, and praising whenever the dog takes steps towards you. Repeat this exercise until you see the dog responding to the "come" command.
Your dog may learn this command very easily and come enthusiastically when called, or you may have a more stubborn dog that is trying to test his dominance with you. In these cases, you need to reinforce the command and even correct the dog for refusals. However, before moving into that stage, you need to be sure the dog understands the command. A sure sign that your dog understands is if he ignores you when you first call him, but then starts to come as soon as he realizes that your reaching for the check cord to reel him in.
Consistency is Key
Once your dog understands the command it is important to be consistent with your use. Don't repeatedly call your dog if he is ignoring you or if you know he will not come. You must have a way to reinforce your command and you have to insist that he comes when called every time on the first call. Initially, this can be accomplished through the check cord. If you are working in an environment that allows your dog to be safely off-leash, try letting him get distracted on something, calling him, and then if he ignores you, "sneak" up on him and surprise him with a louder "come" command. This usually startles the dog and makes the point that you are not afraid to go out to him and make a correction. Through consistency and reinforcement, your dog will gain a solid understanding and respect for the come command which will allow it to move into more advanced off-leash training.
A Note About Collars
If you are going to use an electronic collar to train your dog on any
command, especially come, you must be sure that the dog has been properly
collar conditioned and that it has already been thoroughly educated on the
command. A dog that is not collar conditioned or one that does not fully
understand what you are asking it to do can easily become confused when collar
pressure is introduced, and even worse, may develop a bolting problem, in
which it tries to run away from you to escape the pressure of the collar.
It's best to consult with an experienced trainer before introducing your
dog to a collar based training program.
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