Weekly Wag #10: The Most Important Skill of All!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© All Things Dog Blog
Tanner....Come!

It could save your dog's life. It will save you a long walk. It may save a vet visit. Every dog needs an excellent "Come when called". Did you notice that this skill was not placed first, either on this Fetch series, or on the Weekly Wag itself. That's simply because a dog must trust and be bonded to its owner/handler in order to desire to drop what it is doing and bolt back to mom or dad. 


Your relationship with your dog is imperative to his safety. He doesn't understand the dangers of the civilized world where traffic, animal control workers and dog-hating neighbors may be lurking. If you do absolutely nothing that could be construed as training your dog, please....please, teach him to Come when you call him.


How? Two rules:

• Be someone he wants to Come To. He must love and respect you and you must do the same for him.
• Reward him heartily when he does Come when called, but never scold when he does not. Keep it positive--plenty of praise, affection and a treat when he tries to do what you ask. Ignore him if he gives you that same attitude. Scolding him will only prove to assure he will not learn to Come. After all, would you want to run joyously back to someone who just yesterday yelled at you for not coming to them?

At the same time you're practicing this skill that may someday save your dog's life, you'll also be working on the Fetch game. In order to play Fetch, he'll need to return the toy for the next toss. This is great practice, and will work best if done several times a day in short sessions. 

Keep it fun and let me know how it's going. Leave your comments at the sign up post for the Weekly Wag group, to be sure you're entered in the drawing at the end of March. Don't forget to add yourself to the sign up list while you're at that announcement post, if you have not yet joined. Happy wagging!

Need to catch up on your Weekly Wags? Here are this previous posts:

#9 Sit and Stay: More Fetch Preparation

#8 Preparing for Fetch Training: The Exchange Game

#7 Make Crate Time Great Time

#6 Taking a Woodsy Hike with No Sweat

#5 Disc Dogging for You and Bowser

#4 Bond by Teaching Toy Names

#3 Photo Fun: Say Cheese!

#2 Stay and Come to Get in Shape

#1 Scentwork

Sign up here to win prizes!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping!

A Dog's Purpose Won by Reader with an Extremely Creative Dog Command

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

(c) Carrie A., reader copyright
Molly Knows
Some Interesting Words

I thought I was close to hearing them all--commands, I mean--but this one really found me laughing: "Dodge Ball", for Molly, means "it's okay to eat now". Go figure! I laughed so hard at this one I had to grab a tissue. Now, that my readers, is a winner!


Congratulations to Carrie A., the owner of Molly, who is the winner of a copy of A Dog's Purpose and a Flying Disc. I hope they will both enjoy many hours of fun with their prizes.

Carrie A. and Molly's prize

Have Fun!

Commenting here ON THE BLOG is going to increasingly become the winner's choice. I see these comments quickly, as they come to my email, as well as appearing on the blog while I work. If you want to win a contest, this will also be your quickest way to enter--faster than sending an email.


Speaking of contests, this coming Friday, October 29, is my Halloween costume contest. I have an independent judge lined up and time is running out. I've received only a few entries this year. I suppose everyone is leaving their costume creations to the last minute. Just don't forget the camera. It's photo op time!

(c) Carrie Boyko
The Mystery Treat Bag

Send your pictures to my email at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com by Thursday evening. I'll be gracious, stay up late writing, and give you until 8 PM Thursday night. Remember, I have to send all your photos to my judge by email and then get the big decision back for a reasonable post time on Friday morning. Somewhere in between, the judge and I both need to sleep!


Be sure to drop in Friday or Saturday to see who won. Of course, you'll also get to find out what Tanner and Oliver are dressing up as. They're remembering Xena in a very special way this Halloween. Any guesses?


One last point....creativity always counts at All Things Dog Blog. Don't think you need a store-bought costume to win. A simple, yet cleverly executed accessory could take the prize! Here's peek; what do you think is inside?

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ASK THE DOG TRAINER: Training the Intelligent German Shepherd

by Judith Joseph, D.O.I.
 

© Judith Joseph, all rights reserved

German Shepherds are Highly Trainable
Focus on the Basics to Get Control

Hi Judy, I noticed you have a German Shepherd, so you may be able to help me with my shepherd's need to be mouthy. I have tried all the suggested tricks: holding the lower jaw, giving him a toy...but he still does it.  My GS is under a year old, but he tends to get mouthy if you pet him, when he is trying to get attention or just walking beside you. I've tried various things, but can't seem to break him of this bad habit, which I want to get rid of before he gets much older and becomes a bigger problem. I have two older dogs and they correct him when he gets too mouthy with them. But, he it still doing it. He barks when we walk up to new dogs. I take him to dog parks, Petsmart..etc. Sometimes he is fine, then suddenly he starts barking when we go to greet a new dog(s). He is fine if he gets to meet and play with them, but if you pull him away or if the owner of the other dog does not want to let the dogs meet (he is a big , black Shepherd) then he acts out. He does seem to do it more when he is on-leash. I don't think it is aggressive, because he is really sweet. But, he is scaring off other dogs and owners.  What do you think? Vic ---------------------------------------------- Dear Vic: The German Shepherd Dog (GSD), developed to be loyal, sturdy, fearless, protective, and sometimes all knowing, is highly intelligent and easily trained.  Did I mention they talk back; they just have to have the last word.  GSDs take themselves way too seriously, flaunting their AKC character standards like an Olympic gold medal.  These proud dogs love to work and seem to never tire.   Being pushy, assertive, and mouthy when young is part of the breed’s herding and protecting instincts.  Teaching him how and when is his owner’s responsibility. By 12 months, the GSD should know and obey sit, stay, down, come, leave it, loose leash walking, here/recall, heel, off, and many other commands like wait, find it, drop it, pick it up, speak and quiet.  The GSD is so intelligent and eager to learn, showing him what you want and rewarding the right behavior a few times usually results in him mastering yet another command.  Unwanted behaviors (nipping, chewing, jumping, barking), should be under control by this age too.  A clearly visible line of who’s the boss should be drawn in the sand; that way you can re-draw it when necessary.  And it will be necessary with a GSD. When your older pup nips, you must teach him manners (“sit” and “stay”) and to respect you (“leave it”).  Teach sit using plenty of tasty treats.  Wait for him to sit.  As he does, say sit and offer a treat.  If he stands he doesn’t get the treat.  Wait patiently letting him sniff your hand.  He’ll soon sit, and as his bottom touches the floor, command “sit” and release the treat.  Walk 3 steps away.  Repeat.  If he does not sit after 10 – 15 seconds put the treat away and leave the room.  Wait 5 minutes and start again.  Once he sits reliably, delay his treat 10 seconds, then 20, building up to 1 minute.  Tell him ‘stay’ as he waits.  When he stays for 20 seconds, take 4-5 steps back.  Keep him in position repeating “stay”.  If he gets up, correct him with “eh eh”, and return him to the same spot.  Slowly add time and distance.  Always return to him. ‘Leave it’ helps with self control.  Place a tasty treat in your hand keeping it tightly closed.  Extend your hand for him to sniff without releasing the treat.  The instant he moves his nose away, or turns his head away say “leave it”, and give him a treat that was hidden in your other hand.  Repeat many times.   When he understands he must move away to receive a treat, command “leave it” before he moves.  When he responds correctly, use the “leave it” command to stop his nipping.  Do not move your hand from his mouth.  Firmly say “NO, leave it”.  Remember, he must move away.  Be patient and always reward your GSD’s correct responses. Good luck, Judy Need additional training information?  Visit Total Control Dog Owner Assistance.

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Who Owns the Dog Food at Your House?

by Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

(c) Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved
Waiting Permission...

At my house the dog food, treats and all edibles are clearly owned by me. Not Tanner. Not Xena. And certainly not Oliver. They know it and we know it.


When friends and family visit, they are always amazed at the dogs' manners during feeding time. Everyone knows where to sit, stay still, be quiet, and wait their turn to be fed.


Just as some families say 'grace' before dinner, our dogs have to give thanks by being patient. When everyone is quiet and calm, the permission to eat is given one by one. Whichever dog is the calmest gets the first go ahead. Usually that is Tanner, but Xena and Oliver get their chance quite often.


Once the dish is set on the floor, this is NOT a signal to eat. And their neighbor's dish is not theirs to sniff, or steal from. Likewise, they understand that what the pack leader giveth, the pack leader can taketh away. I test this every now and then, to assure they remember. I can take a dish, hold it for a count of 10 as the dog looks on, wondering if he gets to finish his dinner. When he proves that he understands this dish is mine, I return it to him and praise him as he continues to eat. I can pet him, kiss him, touch his dish and there is never a hiccup.


The whole gang is well versed in the rules. Sit. Quiet. Wait. When I give permission to chow down, they watch carefully, to be sure I'm speaking to them.

"Tanner. All done. Take it"

'All done' tells Tanner that he does not have to hold his "stay" any longer. Funny thing is that he is not likely to leave his dish and disappear when it is full. No way! So, he waits for the rest of the command. He anticipates it: "Take it" is pretty straight forward to you and me. But Tanner sometimes watches my hands to be sure I'm motioning to him. 

I make a habit of using hand and verbal signals, as Xena's hearing is getting a bit weak. I also speak up when giving commands to Xena, and I tap a spoon on her dish to help her know it is feeding time. 

With her vision and hearing showing signs of age, using all of her senses in my communications helps her to acknowledge my commands to her. Even at 13 1/2 she still knows the rules and does not complain.

Oliver is another story altogether. He is my most observant pupil. No wavering concerns about who I am speaking to with Oliver. The minute I give him the go ahead, he dives in. And that's all good, as he is the slowest eater, with those tiny little teeth of his.

(c) Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

"Take It" Time is Earned

After everyone has eaten, I soften a bit and allow dishwashers to take over. Tanner and Oliver love this job. The two of them will often wash Xena's dish out together, while Xena has wandered off in search of the door--ready to go out and do her business.

Dishes done, we all head out to the yard. Oops! Don't forget the biodegradable poop bag. Okay. We're ready to go now.

All is well when the dogs remember who owns the food. If you have more than one dog in your home, teaching wait or stay, leave it and take it are great skills that will help you set yourself up as the boss, while assuring your dogs are properly behaved during dinner time.

Got questions? Drop our trainer a note and ask. We'll be happy to help, as will I.

Happy tails!

Related Reading:
Disciplining Your Dog Through Feeding (more detail)
Preventing Food Aggression
Sharing Human Food with Your Dog: What is Safe and Nutritious?

Also, Check out my latest guest post at:
Dog Care Journey
Socializing Your Puppy or Dog: It's Never too Late

More Reading:
Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage a Multi-dog Household:

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