How to Call Your Dog

How to Call Your Dog 

Dogs and cats tend to come and go at our house. We have adopted several; fostered a few and some have died. Each time a new animal comes in to our lives we have the challenge of naming him or her. Our newest few are named Okra, Kiwi and Mango.

Our new dogs didn’t come to us already named so consequently they had to learn their name. It could be a little frustrating when playtime was over to have them come so we could put them back in their fenced yard. I found some help and behavior tips on the American Humane Website so I thought I would share them.

Humans often inadvertently train their dogs to run away when they are called. People typically call their dogs by yelling phrases like these:

• Fido, come here. Look at this shoe, you bad boy!
• Come here, Princess. Let’s go to the vet.
• Buddy, come. Stop playing with the other dogs, we need to go home.
• Come on, Shadow. No more sniffing in the yard. I have to go to work.

For dogs, “come” often means “stop having fun” or “you are in trouble.” It’s no wonder they don’t want to come when called!

Here are some behavior tips that have helped me understand our dogs:

• If you have used the word "come" when you've been mad, your dog may have learned to dislike that word. Try a new word such as "here" so you and your dog can start fresh.
• Never punish a dog for coming to you, even if it takes him forever to do it. For example, don't be annoyed with your dog because you're late for work and it took him 20 minutes to come. If you're short or angry, it may take 45 minutes next time. Instead, praise your dog and perhaps he will come sooner next time.
• Don't set up your dog to fail. If you have never taught your dog to come, don't let him loose in a field and expect him to do it naturally. That's just not fair. Set up small, controlled situations that become increasingly more challenging as you progress with your training. Also, if your dog runs away every morning, do not let him off leash until he is trained.
• Don't overuse the word. By repeating "Come! Come here! Come on! Come, come, come, come," you teach your dog that "come" is just part of a bunch of gibberish.
• Instead of making “come” mean “end of fun,” make it mean the opposite! Every time your dog comes to you, you must make it a pleasant experience. Pet or praise your dog or give him a treat every single time he comes. Set up scenarios where your dog plays, you call, he comes, you reward, and he goes back to playing. Repeat the scenarios many times.

 

Our dogs can still be a little stubborn when we say come, especially Kiwi who is a male. I think it might be that selective hearing us men practice. But these tips have helped me and might help you as well. 

The Humane Society Weekly Wish: Bath towels in good condition and bleach please. 
 

Jack Fisher

Board of Directors