New Year, New Puppy?

Teaching Your New Pet How to Recognize Their Name and “Come.”

Ringing in the New Year can be a glorious act filled with a variety of aspirations for the year to come, and for some people, this means welcoming a new puppy. Puppies are the epitome of joy (at least before the housebreaking process begins) and can bring laughter and love into your home. However, it’s important to take their training seriously to ensure everyone involved lives is safe and happy.

Two crucial aspects of training that will help your dog adjust to his new surroundings are to quickly learn their name and to “Come” when called. Other important aspects such as basic training and introducing leash training are equally as important, and can all be taught within the first year. Below we break down ways to help your pet understand their name and how to “Come!” so you can get your training process started!

Name Recognition

It’s vital that your pet understands their name. Whether welcoming a new puppy home or rescuing an older pooch from the shelter, teaching an animal their name will help keep them safe and create a closer bond with their owner.

• Start by helping them understand that their name is a positive thing. Find a quiet place in your home with no distractions. Say the dog’s name in a clear voice, and if he turns to look at you say, “Yes!” very enthusiastically then give them a tasty treat followed by affection. Afterwards, sit quietly until your pet loses interest and repeat the process. Do this a few times a day.

• Once you feel your pet has the connection between their name and a treat, switch to using affection only as a reward. Be extremely positive and consider playing with her during this time, so the dog still feels rewarded for understanding their name.

Teaching Your Dog the “Come” command

• After the previous exercise has started to yield consistent name recognition, take your pet in an enclosed outdoor area (think back yard, no dog parks at this point). Find a partner who’s comfortable with animals to assist, and have them sit nicely with dog and hold their collar. Stand arms length away and get the dog’s attention by jumping or waving your arms, holding a favorite toy. Then move farther away and call their name getting them excited. Once you say “Come!” have your partner let them go run after you. When the dog catches up, reward them with a treat and repeat.

• To practice the “Come” command alone, put your dog on a leash. Hold the end of the leash and say, “Come” while moving backwards. When the dog catches up, say, “Yes!” and reward them with a treat. Repeat for 10 – 15 minutes.

• The long line method is another way to teach your dog the “Come” command and is similar to the first method discussed. Use a lightweight, long training leash (available at pet supply stores). Attach the leash and enlist the help of a partner once again. Have your partner hold the dog around the chest. Show your pet a tasty treat and talk to him in an enthusiastic voice, but do not say come. Run a few feet away then call “Come!” and encourage him with clapping but don’t repeat the command. When the dog runs to you, say, “Yes!” and reward them with a treat. Repeat for 10 – 15 minutes.

It’s A Dog’s World’s highly trained staff has decades of combined experience training animals to “come.” For professional assistance contact us at thebestdog@verizon.net.