Pets Lost and Found

posted by Marita on Feb 18

I often observe a person calling a dog, who ignores them completely.

When the dog eventually picks up the courage to return to its owner, it receives a scolding and often a hiding.

The best way would be to reward the dog when it returns to you. You end up having a happy dog that enjoys coming to you whenever you call it and returns to you instantly.

First, start training in an area where the dog cannot run away, in your own back yard or someone else’s fenced garden and ask a friend along to help you. (Preferably, someone the dog is not too familiar with)

1. Take the dog’s favorite toy and some treats with you.
2. Have your friend hold onto the dog and start moving backwards away from them, while keeping close eye contact with your dog.
3. When you are about two or three meters away, call the dog and dangle the toy and the treat.
4. The friend must hold onto the dog until it really struggles to get to you before letting it go.
5. When it reaches you, it gets lots of hugs and lavish praise and a tit-bit.
6. Repeat this until the dog runs straight to you.
7. Increase the distance between yourself and the dog gradually, as far as the dog can still make proper eye contact with you and observe treat.

When it comes to you without fail, go to a public place like a park and continue the training there. In the beginning, keep the dog on an extendable lead until the dog comes to you every single time.

Carry on with this training without the lead until the dog comes every time it is being called, regardless of where you are.