One of the common behaviors I am asked to train dogs and puppies during their Love Wags A Tail board-and-train program is to come when called. This is a behavior I start working on generally on day one and continue it until the drop-off dog training lesson when I bring the boot camp puppy home.
My most recent board-and-train is no exception. He is a very lively, creative, and playful 6-month-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Romeo’s one of the happiest pups I’ve trained. Nothing phases him, and hs tail keeps wagging from morning until night.
I found a video of our recall practice this afternoon had been recorded by one of my security cameras. What is it about dog trainers that can make us more successful at certain behaviors is when the time comes when we’re tested, we know how to proceed effectively.
In the video below, I was calling in from the yard all six of my dogs and Romeo, who had been at the door and on his way in when he got distracted by a blue disc on the railing. As soon as the video starts, keep your eyes on the upper right corner of the screen and afterwards, follow the bouncy puppy whose mouth the blue disc is in.
When Romeo was the stragler after I called all the dogs in, what did I do? I went out on the platform and did the same repetitive drill I’d been doing with him since he got here. I did not run out after him because this time it was different. This time he had a toy in his mouth and he was running about happily with it and running away from me. No. I did what we practice and Romeo came to me as he had every other time.
If it weren’t for the practicing with a hand signal and a verbal cue, and Romeo knowing he would get a food reward for his good deed, how else would I get him in the house? I know many times people tell me they have to chase their dogs around their yard to catch them. That’s not the thing to do. And can you imagine anyone chasing a dog with a blue disc flopping in his mouth romping around a half an acre thinking they might have a chance to catch him? You’d never win!
It’s consistency in training and daily practice that cements behaviors. If you stop working, the dog stops responding. Keeping good behaviors strong, after your dog goes through the Love Wags A Tail board-and-train boot camp is very easy and fun. Once the behaviors are learned, the maintaining is easy. So contact me today for an estimate on a particular board-and-train package for your puppy or dog. Let’s get started!
Helen Verte Schwarzmann
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Certified in Training and Counseling
Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed
Certified Trick Dog Instructor
AKC STAR Puppy, CGC, and Trick Dog Trainer and Evaluator
Your Board-and-Train Dog Trainer for south and southwest Florida, Southwest Ranches, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Broward, Naples, Collier, Fort Myers, Lee county
