|
|
|
|
Spring!! The time when all living creatures want to be outside and are a bit restless. When the warmth returns to the sun's rays, I find the dogs and I walk a little slower and soak up the gentle warmth. We feel it on our faces and anticipate the greening, which is just around the corner. Buddy sleeps in our room in his crate, along with the other 3 dogs. Around 5:30 or 6:00 each morning, the Aussies decide it's time to go out. Buddy joins them. He's young and curious, so he wants to stay out a little longer when it's warm. The older dogs know the routine, go out, tend to business come back in, have a cookie and go back to bed for a little while. Buddy, however, wants to stay out and explore. We have yet to raise a youngster that doesn't respond to Spring in the same way. It's a matter of tending to business and then checking out the trees and grass patches which are now exposed, grabbing a twig, running, leaping, barking and in all ways, showing an enthusiastic approach to life. It's at these times I'm glad I spent a lot of time working on the come when called and my relationship with Buddy. Without them, I would be out there in my slippers calling and calling and calling to a dog that says he doesn't hear me. I suppose we should spend a little time thinking about dogs that choose not to hear their owners. Even if it is 5:00 in the morning, if you call Pal and he says, in effect, "not now, I'm busy", you must react to his decision. I know it's cold, I know you would rather keep hollering in the hope that he will ultimately respond, but you are going to have to go get him. If groundwork has been laid on the come when called concept and if you have never called your dog to you in order to reprimand him, what I'm about to describe will work wonderfully. Call Pal once by using his name followed by what you want him to do. (come, down, sit, etc). When Pal ignores your call, walk out to him asking him, "where's your come?" When you are near enough, lightly put both hands in his collar and lift him off his front feet. Tell him, "Pal, Come" and move a step or two toward the house. Release him and watch to see what he does. Dogs that want to please will respond by walking with you as you return to the house. Dogs that don't care will carry on with whatever was being attended to prior to your approach. For these individuals a little more power should be put into your response to his decision to ignore you. This time when you walk over to him, take his collar in the same manner and walk him on his hind feet back to the house. Remember, don't shout, don't scold, just simply ask, "where's your come?" Once you are back in the house, release the grip on the collar and tell him "Good Come". HE DOESN'T GET A TREAT! He's not really a good boy; the reinforcement is simply a positive way to letting him know you aren't angry, just determined. A little reminder --
|
| ||||||||||||
