When Your Dog Ignores You… 

Harry’s 6 month old pup Skip finally completed weeks of obedience training.  In the puppy class, Skip responded well to the commands “Sit, Stay, Down, Come”.  Skip walked nicely on his leash too, with just an occasional pull.  Best of all, he was completely housebroken.  “Wow”, Harry bragged to family and friends on graduation day, “My dog is fantastic!” 

Training classes ended a couple of weeks ago and since then Harry’s noticed that Skip’s behavior is changing.  He is more interested in playing than sitting and, as far as Harry can tell, has forgotten that “come” means COME.   This type of “forgetfulness” is common in dogs, especially those completing obedience training at a young age in a puppy class or group environment.  Owners should have continued practicing all of the obedience commands, 2 to 3 times a day, every day at home.  Just because classes ended, lessons and training should not have stopped.  But, far too often owners stop working with their dogs when classes end, believing their dogs are “trained”.   Like Harry and Skip.

Harry and Skip were on their normal evening walk through a neighborhood park when Skip’s leash slipped out of Harry’s hand.  Skip took off running, chasing a squirrel at first then running here and there chasing anything and everything.   “I’m only supposed to repeat the command once!” Harry reminds himself as he chases Skip across the park yelling “SKIP, COME!  COME HERE!” over and over again.  But Skip is not coming; he’s not even looking back at Harry.  Skip is speeding across the park, his leash flip-flopping behind him.  Fortunately, a young man is able to grab Skip’s leash and hold him steady by the collar until Harry arrives.  Skip’s tail is wagging a hundred wags a minute, he’s panting heavily, and his eyes are bright.  Skip’s as happy as can be.  Harry’s arms are waving, he’s breathing heavily, and his eyes are bright too.  But, Harry is not the least bit happy… at least not with Skip.  He’s grateful that this stranger was able to grab and hold on to Skip before he ran into traffic.  He’s relieved that he didn’t have to chase him across the entire park.  He’d already run wildly on the landscaped lawn, zig-zagged across sidewalks, and trampled through several beautiful flowerbeds.  Harry was embarrassed because people were watching him, shaking their heads, or laughing at him and his “untrained dog”.  Frustrated, Harry grabs Skip’s leash, wraps it short and tight around the palm of his hand and marches Skip across the park giving him a piece of his mind.  “Bad dog!  You heard me calling you, Skip.  Why didn’t you come?  What’s wrong with you?  Bad dog!  I shouldn’t have to chase you all over the park!  You know better than that. You just graduated from obedience class.  UGH!”   And so it goes for Harry and many other dog owners. 

With over 20 years of dog training experience, Total Control Dog Owner Assistance (TCDOA) has learned that obedience training that takes place in the dog’s home results in a more responsive and obedient pet.  It is easier for a dog to learn, and an owner to control, appropriate behavior when in their home environment.  Once your dog has mastered basic obedience and is reliably responsive, then, and only then, should owners begin outside training or consider enrolling their dog in a group obedience class with all of the associated distractions. 

Let’s face it; being in a class with lots of puppies and dogs is just plain fun, but it’s not necessarily the best learning environment for beginners.  Far too many owners have successfully completed training classes and found themselves with a dog that won’t obey commands at home.   Like Harry. 

Did your dog obey the instructor but is now ignoring you and your commands?  It's time for you to step it up.  You should begin obedience training in your home starting from scratch.  Starting from scratch means starting all over again with Sit, Focus, Stay, Down, Come, Wait, and Leave It.  Your dog must learn to obey you and your commands in your home before he can obey you outside of your home, like at a park.  Ask Harry.

TCDOA offers individualized training in the comfort of your home.  Your Lifestyle, Your Dog.  TCDOA helps you to teach your dog how he should behave within YOUR environment.  TCDOA understands and respects that how you want your dog to behave is entirely up to you.  No two people or dogs are alike.  TCDOA customizes training to get the results YOU want in your home, and out.

TCDOA utilizes easy to implement positive training techniques designed around your lifestyle and your dog's breed and personality type.

THE TCDOA SYSTEM:

NO DISTRACTIONS*    -         Use a quiet room in your home (dog can focus on trainer)

BE CONSISTENT         -         Practice 3 to 4 times every day (dog can learn the behavior)

REPEAT                     -         Five to six repetitions (dog can understand the command)

KEEP IT SHORT          -         Practice no more than 3 to 5 minutes (reduces chance for mistakes)

MOTIVATE                 -         Provide a desired treat (hot dog, chicken or cheese bits given only during training)

IGNORE                     -         Do not punish or verbally admonish a wrong response (pay no attention to mistakes)

REWARD                    -        Generously praise and treat correct responses (dog receives positive reinforcement)

 * Distractions are introduced once the dog has learned the command and is reliably responsive to Owner/Trainer.

Total Control Dog Owner Assistance is committed to developing wholesome owner-pet relationships.  If your dog is ignoring you, seems to have forgotten everything he “learned”, is misbehaving, or you’re just getting started with a new puppy or adult dog

contact TCDOA today for results you'll be happy with tomorrow.

Expertise + Experience = RESULTS!