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Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009

The Old Trainer: Don't invent an excuse to avoid training

DEAR OLD TRAINER: My dog Hank behaves a lot better since I have been reading your column and using your tips.

The problem I have is that when I take him to the park, he ignores me half the time when I call him.

Any suggestions?

-- James, Sacramento

A: Oh, thanks a lot, James. You just forced The Old Trainer to deal with the one training problem that is the most difficult to solve.

We all know how it feels. You call your dog and he stands there looking at you like Robert DeNiro in "Taxi Driver." You can almost hear him saying, "Are you talking to me? Are you talking to ME?"

Even presidents have the problem. Richard Nixon, at the peak of his impeachment problems, staged a photo-op on the beach in San Clemente and his Irish setter, King Timahoe (another dumb name courtesy of the dog marketing crowd), ran wild in front of the assembled press while Nixon tried in vain to call him.

It is hard to teach a dog to come on command. That is why you find so much useless advice when you search the Internet.

The most popular "solution" is, "don't ever let your dog off the leash because he will learn to have so much fun he will never come when called."

The perfect example of just how empty headed some dog people can be.

It is absurd to never allow your dog to run free his whole life.

That is not training, that is inventing an excuse to avoid training.

Even worse, it guarantees that when the dog inevitably escapes he will refuse to come because he doesn't know what the command means.

But even proven trainers have to work hard on this command. It requires planning, time, patience and resolve.

Use every minute you spend with Hank to teach him the command.

While you are petting him, throwing a toy for him, or whatever, take a step away and call him.

In the house, move to a different chair and call him. Use a hand signal to beckon him as you say the command. Praise and pet him every single time he comes to you, even if you haven't called him, through every step of the process outlined here.

Establish the idea of coming to you over a short distance, don't wait until you are at the park or the beach.

Once Hank learns the basics, move the training outside and use the daily walk to reinforce the training.

Say the command, wait 10 to 15 seconds for the dog to process it, then pull him toward you.

Never use a short leash for the daily walk. You can make a flexible leash as long or short as you want, and you want Hank at least 20 feet away when you give the command.

The next step is to move the training to your backyard (or a schoolyard or churchyard or anything that is completely fenced and small enough that he cannot get far from you).

Let him run free with the leash trailing on the ground for a while, then give the command and hand signal.

Never discipline him if he does not respond. That only teaches him not to come when called.

If he does not progress, tell him that is not acceptable, then go back to step one and start again.

Dogs want to do the right thing, so put in the time and work to establish a close relationship with Hank. Don't accept failure, and it won't be long until Hank comes running every time you call.

Send questions for The Old Trainer to theoldtrainer711@yahoo.com.