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Puppy Parties and Socialization Classes
Teaching
Puppies to "Come" on cue.
The double V method
Each person sits on the floor with
their legs spread in front of them
in a V shape with feet almost
touching. From the
side it looks like O< >O. The
pup is kept on a leash to prevent
it from jumping out of the double
V and running away.
First, Person A calls, "[Pupname],
come!” Then the person tries
to get the pup’s attention
with mouth noises, slapping the floor or
using a squeaky toy. When Person A calls
the pup, Person B acts BORING, looking
away and removing all attention.
If the pup does not respond,
Person
A may need to use the leash to
gentle tug and urge the pup to approach
- praising every step forward.
Person B then calls, “[Pupname]
come!”
The goal if for the puppy to learn
that each person has a treat reward
worth approaching them on the double.
If the puppy is not interested in
food, explore other motivators such
as a ball, squeaky toy, tummy or ear
tickle. Suggest the puppy's owner withhold food
longer before class next week, and
bring a selection of tastier treats. Puppies are often very excited
to play, and it takes a large stimulus
to get them distracted from the desire
to play (or hide if frightened.)
Once the puppy quickly runs back
and forth when called for the treat,
Person A and Person B can scoot back enlarging the size of the Double V
(space between their feet).
Homework:
Try this game in a hallway.
Vary from sitting to squatting to
standing to call the pup back and forth.
With each success, one person move a
step backward until the puppy will run
from one end of a hallway to the other.
Later, this game can be extended to
calling the puppy from room to room.
One
person method
The person should first present the
treat in front of the puppies nose;
allow the puppy to lick it as the
person says, [Pupname] come!
Walk backward keeping the puppy
licking at the food treat. The puppy
will follow. Praise as you walk
backward. Before the pup loses
interest (gives up) which is usually
about four paces backwards, release
the food (lure) as the reward. Then,
release the puppy back to the play
group by saying, "Go play!"
The goal
is for the puppy to learn that following
you results in a food treat and freedom
to return to play.
Keep a
leash dragging so you can always grab it
if the puppy begins to run away before
the recall exercise is complete. You may
want to start with a sit for a treat,
then call the puppy as you move
backwards.
Homework: Use the first 10 kibbles
of the puppies meal to practice the
word, "Come." As the puppy begins to
understand, call the puppy from a few
feet away when you KNOW the puppy WILL
come. If you call the puppy and
the puppy ignores you, you lose
progress. Keep a leash dragging so you
can always insist, after calling your
puppy. Praise but no treat if you need
to reel the puppy in. But ALWAYS praise.
Then call the puppy two feet so you can
give a treat for a good response and end
on a positive note.
Common
mistakes people make ...
- If
you want your puppy to learn the
word, "Come," then say it once. If
you want the puppy to learn the cue
is "Come, come, come," then okay to
repeat. Most people repeat the
command too much. Instead, call the
puppy, then follow-through with
clapping, lots of praise to
encourage the puppy to continue
coming to you.
- Use
a happy, high tone voice. If you
sound angry, the puppy will not want
to come to you.
- Do
not call the puppy until you have
the puppies attention and you are
sure the puppy will come.
- Do
not be too far away from the puppy
when you call. You need to be able
to grab the leash if needed to
follow-through.
- Make
sure you say the puppy's name once
followed by the instruction, "Come."
If you just say the pup's name over
and over the puppy will learn to
ignore you because you have not
asked the puppy to do anything. The
pup's name is not an instruction.
- Make
sure you are more exciting than the
puppy's play time. Clap
your hands excitedly, talk in a high
happy voice, stamp your feet, make
interesting mouth noises. The second
the puppy looks at you, praise
effusively to keep the pup's
attention and interest. Back up quickly
to stimulate the “chase instinct”
reflex. Praise any movement toward
you, and give a treat.
The
Double V method was shared by
R.K.Anderson, DVM, DACVB, inventor of
the Gentle Leader, founder of the Delta
Society. See
www.ABRIOnline.org.
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