If you've got a puppy, you should be mindful of its training. Your little pet needs to be taught commands and good behavior right away. Training is essential! Otherwise, the animal will grow up disobedient, undisciplined, and will cause numerous problems for its owner and those around it.
The training process for your four-legged pet should begin with mastering the basic command “Come!” Until your furry friend learns to obey this command, there's no point in teaching them any other commands. By mastering the “Come!” command, the dog learns to obey its owner, becomes obedient, and begins to understand the need for discipline.
A dog that obeys the “Come!” command won't cause any problems when walking outside. An untrained puppy not only disobeys its owner on walks but is also susceptible to many dangers. It may break free from its leash and run away. It will be difficult for a person to catch up with their pet, especially if it's frightened or chasing a cat or another dog. There's a risk that the furry little one will get lost, be hit by a car, or be injured by a larger, more aggressive animal.
For this reason, it is so important to train your pet to obey the command “Come!” and run to the owner at his first request.
You can teach a dog this basic command at any age, but a puppy will learn it more easily. It's easier to train a puppy than an adult. It's best to begin training a dog at three months of age.
At first, the pet will respond weakly to its own name and any commands from its owner. To increase the effectiveness of training, it's important to ensure additional attention is attracted to the pet.
- When giving the command “Come to me!” the puppy should be attracted by clapping your hands and snapping your fingers.
- To attract attention, you can also use a rubber ball toy that makes a squeak when squeezed.
- A treat like a bone can also be used for this purpose. You can show the treat to the puppy while giving the command. After the pet follows the command and approaches the owner, praise it, pet it, and reward it with a treat.
Once your pet finally learns to obey a command, you can stop using treats and other means of attracting attention.
When teaching the “Come!” command, start by moving a few steps away from the dog. Gradually, as the animal makes progress, the distance between it and the owner should be increased. Ideally, the dog should come when called even if the owner gives the command from another room.
Training must be done daily. It will take one to several months to teach a puppy the “Come!” command.
Many dog owners complain that while their pet is obedient and comes when called at home, it becomes uncontrollable outside. This complication stems from training the puppy only indoors. This is a serious mistake! Training should be done not only indoors but also outdoors. Training should also be done outdoors.
When teaching a puppy the “Come!” command outside, a leash is essential. When giving the command, the owner will need to gently pull the pet toward them by the strap. It's a good idea to snap your fingers and squat down. This behavior will pique the puppy's interest, making it more willing to approach. Once the pet is close, be sure to praise, pet, and give it a treat.
This manipulation should be repeated no more than 3-4 times during a walk. After a few weeks of outdoor training, the leash can be eliminated.
Mistakes made by owners when teaching their dog the “Come to me!” command:
With effort and patience, you can achieve good results in dog training. Your dog will come running to you at your first call and obey you unquestioningly.
