Teaching - Come, Wait, Follow
How can I get my puppy to
"come" when called?
Teaching a puppy to "come" on command is a
very difficult but important task. Start early because a puppy that will come
when called is safer! In addition, most young puppies do not like to stray too
far from their owners. So all it takes is a kneeling owner and a happy
"come" command and your puppy may willingly approach (without the need
for any food or toy prompt). Similarly most young puppies will automatically
come and follow as you walk away. However, by 3 to 4 months of age, as puppies
become a little more independent and exploratory, more appealing rewards may be
needed. The two most important rules about teaching your puppy to come to you is
to set up the puppy for success (so that you never fail) and that each training
session is simple, fun and pleasurable. NEVER CALL YOUR PUPPY TO YOU FOR
DISCIPLINE!!
Start by backing away from your puppy 1-3 feet and
wiggle a food treat or a favored toy (prompt) in front of its nose. At the same
time say the puppy’s name and "come". Use a happy inviting tone of
voice. When your puppy comes to you, praise it lavishly and give the treat. Then
repeat. Start by only moving short distances, then gradually have the puppy come
further to reach you. Reinforce this task by calling your puppy over multiple
times daily, giving a pat or a food treat and sending it on its way. Try to
avoid only calling the puppy to you to bring it inside, to put it in its crate
or otherwise end something fun. Be sure to spend time calling the puppy over and
then releasing it, this will help the puppy learn that by coming to you, good
things happen. Remember it is critical to succeed with every training session.
Stay close, make certain that there are no distractions and proceed slowly.
Over time, the puppy should be very slowly taught to
come from progressively farther distances and in environments with a greater
number of distractions. If there is any chance that the puppy might escape or
disobey, have the puppy wear a long remote leash (which can be left dangling as
the puppy wanders and investigates). Then if the puppy does not immediately obey
the come command, a gentle tug of the leash can be used to get the puppy’s
attention, and a repeated command in an upbeat, happy voice (along with a food
or toy prompt) should be able to ensure that the come command is successful and
rewarding.
How can I teach my new puppy to wait or follow?
Teaching a puppy to wait or follow are extensions of
the other tasks you should have already taught. To teach your puppy to follow at
your side (heel), use a food treat, place it by your thigh and entice the puppy
both vocally and with the food to "heel". As the puppy follows its
nose to stay near the treat, it will also be learning to heel.
For dogs that constantly walk ahead or pull, teaching
your dog to follow should begin where there are few distractions, such as in
your backyard. To ensure success you should keep a leash or leash and head
collar on your dog. Begin with a "sit-stay" command and give a reward.
Start to walk forward and encourage your dog to follow or heel as above, using a
food reward held by your thigh. Be certain to allow only a few inches of slack
on the leash so that if your dog tries to run past you, you can pull up and
forward on the leash so that the puppy returns to your side. Once back in the
proper position (by your side for heel or behind you for follow), provide a
little slack in the leash and begin to walk forward again. Continue walking with
verbal reinforcement and occasional food rewards given as the dog follows. Each
time the dog begins to pass you or pull ahead, pull up and forward on the leash,
and release as the dog backs up. Although the dog could be made to sit each time
it pulls forward, the goal is to have the dog return to your side. If the dog
"puts on the brakes" and will not follow, all you need to do is
release the tension and verbally encourage the dog to follow. Once you have the
dog successfully heeling in the yard with no distractions, you can proceed to
the front yard and the street, at first with no distractions, until good control
is achieved.
How can I teach the dog to wait?
Although much the same as stay, this command is
important for the dog that might otherwise bound out the front door, lunge
forward to greet people and other dogs, or run across a busy street. Begin with
"sit-stay" training, until the dog responds well in situations where
there are few distractions such as indoors or in your backyard. Next, find a
situation where the dog might try to pull ahead, such as at the front door, so
that you can begin to teach the wait command. Training sessions should begin
when there are no external stimuli outdoors (other dogs, people) that might
increase your dog’s motivation to run out the door. Use a leash or leash and
head collar to ensure control. Begin with a "sit-stay" by the front
door. While standing between your dog and the door, and with only a few inches
of slack on the leash, give the wait command and open the door. If the dog
remains in place for a few seconds, begin to walk out the door and allow your
dog to follow. Then repeat, with longer waits at each training session. If
however, when you open the door or begin to walk out, your dog runs ahead of
you, you should pull up on the leash, have your dog sit, release, give the wait
command and repeat until successful. Once your dog will successfully wait for a
few seconds and follow you out the door, gradually increase the waiting time,
and then try with distractions (dogs or people on the front walk). This training
should also be tried as you walk across the street, or before your dog is
allowed to greet new people or dogs it meets.
