There can be no doubt that people can make mistakes with the handling of their dog, which results in a dog failing to return when you call them. So here are 3 common mistakes that dog owners make that reduce or stop their dog coming when called:
1. Say it again Sam – “Sally come, come on, Sally, Sally, Sally come on – come here now, Sally!!!” does that sound familiar? They say that the definition of insanity is repeating something and expecting a different result. Repeating something 100 times won’t make it more effective or your dog more responsive if the cue lacks value. The solution to this problem is to go back to the basics and begin adding value to your recall word.
2. Being a Debbie Downer – you’ve called your dog, they have come on over with joy and enthusiasm and then… nothing, zip, zero, zilch! So next time you call them, they no that there is no value in returning so they would prefer to sniff this shrub that a pigeon pooped on. That is right, I just told you you need to be more exciting than pigeon poop, you can do that can’t you? Go back and train how to being the party to your recall and find some enthusiasm to bring to this game.
3. Punishment doesn’t fit the crime – You spot your dog digging a hole in the newly planted garden bed, you yell out – “Freddie, com’ere” Freddie come to you and you continue to rouse at him. Next time you go to call Freddie he fails to respond. Punishment can be a tricky beast, with the right timing and pressure you can have an effective result but with the wrong timing or the wrong pressure it can really ruin something that you didn’t intend to. Solution means being aware of your overall relationship with your dog, improving your value and learning when it is the right time and what, if any, benefit punishment can have.
Are you making these mistakes with your dog?
