XxCittyxX asked:
how would you train an older rescue dog to walk off lead and come back
how would you train an older rescue dog to walk off lead and come back
|
|
||
how would you train an older rescue dog to walk off lead and come back?5 comments to how would you train an older rescue dog to walk off lead and come back?You must be logged in to post a comment. |
||
|
Copyright © 2012 Rescue Dog - All Rights Reserved |
||
What you’re talking about is advanced obedience and the way things sound you should be starting at the beginning aka learning about pack structure, then basic obedience and marker training, and then perhaps advanced obedience.
Hey good question – I’m about to adopt an older dog and will need to know the same info! I’m going to enroll in a local class, that should help recall ect., but also I hope it helps to establish a bond and trust with a dog that has been let down in the past.
The same way I would train a puppy; get a training lead/long flexi lead and let your dog wander off a little bit.
Shout him back with your cue word, e.g. come and if he comes back to you, give him lots of praise and a treat.
If he doesn’t come back, reel the training/flexi lead in gently and then praise him and give him a treat when he reaches you.
Practise this in 5-10 minutes sessions several times a day.
Firstly you need to bond with the dog. Once a bond has been formed, there is more trust in the relationship between you and the dog, and if you bond properly then the dog will know that you are the one in charge and so should follow your orders. (To bond-simply play games together and work hard on basic obedience eg- sit, down etc.)
Now find a large secure field that, in time, you will be able to let your dog off in. Acquire a long training lead and find something your dog loves but doesn’t get often, eg-chicken.
Walk around the field, letting him go as far as the lead will let him, and after a while, call his name and bend down slightly to his level. Make large arm gestures and make yourself interesting to the dog. When he comes, stand up, make him sit and reward him with praise and food.
Practise this for about a week, for 15 minutes a day.
Then ask a friend/family member, if they can hold the dog, while you walk about 20 large paces away from the dog. From the distance, call him but remember to keep praising him and every time he returns he gets rewarded. Increase the distance that you go, but always keep the lead on him.
If you continue to do this for around 3 weeks and all goes well, then you can start to let him off in the secure area. But only if you feel 100% confident in your dog.
probably with great difficulty. You know what they say about teaching old dogs new tricks