Mastering the Commands “Come & No” in Dog Training

Of course you want to keep your dog safe and one of the best ways to insure this is to teach him the command "Come". After you have achieved a loving relationship with this delightful creature, teaching him this behavior is not going to be a difficult hardship. Your being in control of his freedom is one of the kindest things you can do for your best pal.

Having been trained by a previous owner who was intent on rushing the process can cause negative reactions if your dog has had this experience. However, once your trusting relationship with your new best friend is established, you can impress upon him the importance of him obeying the "Come" command when you give it.

Of course, once your friend is off the leash, he thinks he can do whatever he wants. True. That is why you need to utilize a long line when training him to "Come." Simply attach the line to his collar, allow it to drag, say his name and immediately follow that with "Come." He's probably not going to obey you so give a quick, but gentle, tug on the line and repeat the command. Continue these sessions until he understands and then transfer to a leash. Once he has mastered this behavior, simply remove the leash. Depending on your dog's personality and prior history, this training may take a few days or up to a week.

Just like children, your sweet cuddly little guy needs to learn to understand the word "No." This training must be consistently used with gentle correction for maximum impact. An example of utilizing this training would be to attach the long line to his collar, place a treat or food in the training area and, just prior to him reaching and gobbling up the treat, use the word "No" and gently tug the line. You will undoubtedly need to use this method until he has understood the association between the word "No" and any unwanted behavior.

Eventually, the word "No" will mean something to your dog and you will no longer need to use correction. He will obey simply because he trusts your judgment and wants to please you.

If your dog does any behavior incorrectly after training, it simply means he is confused or could even be testing you. But remember, all dogs are different and will learn at different speeds. Be patient and keep the training sessions short. Afterwards, have fun with himplay some ball, try a long walkie, whatever your dog really likes to do. You're not just training a dogyou're forging a lifelong friendship.