Dogs aren’t actually headstrong. However, they usually don’t understand precisely what they’re supposed to do. To make this crystal clear, you need to establish the alpha status very quickly. Be ready to practice patience and determination and firm force to achieve the behavior wanted. This can be very challenging when teaching the command “come”.
A dog is going to explore his environment by sniffing, digging, moving things and taking things away from one place to another. That is why one has to make sure that he does not get distracted with other objects during a training session. Other people and voices are also going to distract him so you need to do your training session in a quiet and clear backyard.
Be sure to build upon any impromptu behavior you see. For example when you observe the dog coming at you, give a vocal command along with a hand signal to reinforce this behavior. Try to use a command and sign that you don’t usually use during your teaching sessions.
To begin, stand in front of the dog and get it in the sit position. Execute the “stay” command as you step back a few steps. Use the verbal and hand sign command. Give the dog abundant praise for appropriate behavior, but don’t give praise for partial or inappropriate responses.
This activity should be repeated with you stepping back. If the dog tries to come too quickly, reinforce the command of sit/stay. If the dog does not move at the ‘come’ command, entice him with a treat or a toy.
For dogs that are hesitant learners, or a little reluctant, leash and collar training may be required. Put your dog in the sit/stay position and begin to step back a ways as you are playing out some excess on the leash. If your dog resists, give a light tug that is unmistakable while giving the vocal command along with the hand gesture.
If the dog is too eager to come to you, use either a long leash or a rope which should be wrapped around a tree or fence rail. If the dog tries to move, the leash should be tugged as you say ‘stay’. This training can be done with the help of another person, but the dog is going to get confused about whom to obey. That is why it is sensible to have the dog’s focus on just one trainer.
One needs to be consistent as well as patient during a dog training session. Dogs do not understand the need for such commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’. Do not speak harshly to your dog if he does not obey you at the first instance. This is a counterproductive measure. You need to establish your alpha status firmly by your body language, and readiness to wait for your dog to obey the given order. Physical leading and physical punishment is not such a helpful technique.
Many dogs swiftly show themselves to be happy to please and are very solicitous of praise following the correct behavior. Just be sure they’re the ones ‘coming’, not you. If need be, prove that you’re the demanding one when it comes to their behavior.
Learn to select the correct Dog Bedding for your dog. Do not allow Puppy Potty Training become a prolonged or frustrating experience.
