Puppies: Command Training for Come, Wait, and Follow ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

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Command Training for Come, Wait, and Follow

How can I get my puppy or dog to come when called?

Teaching a puppy to come on command is a very difficult but important task. Start early because a puppy that will come when called is safer. In addition, most young puppies do not like to stray too far from their guardians. So all it takes is a kneeling guardian and a happy come command and your puppy may willingly approach (without the need for any food or toy prompt). Similarly, most young puppies will automatically come and follow as you walk away. However, by 3 to 4 months of age, as puppies become a little more independent and exploratory, more appealing rewards may be needed. The two most important rules about teaching your puppy to come to you is to set up the puppy for success (so that you never fail) and that each training session is simple, fun and pleasurable.

NEVER CALL YOUR PUPPY OR DOG TO YOU FOR DISCIPLINE.

Start by backing away from your puppy 1-3 feet and wiggle a food treat or a favored toy (prompt) in front of his nose. At the same time say the puppy’s name and COME. Use a happy inviting tone of voice. When your puppy comes to you, praise himlavishly and give the treat. Then repeat. Start by only moving short distances, then gradually have the puppy come further to reach you. Reinforce this task by calling your puppy over multiple times daily, giving a pat or a food treat and sending him on his way. Try to avoid only calling the puppy to you to bring him inside, to put him in his crate, or otherwise end something fun. Be sure to spend time calling the puppy over and then releasing him. This will help the puppy learn that by coming to you, good things happen. Remember it is critical to succeed with every training session. Stay close, make certain that there are no distractions and proceed slowly.

Over time, the puppy should be very slowly taught to come from progressively farther distances and in environments with a greater number of distractions. If there is any chance that the puppy might escape or disobey, have the puppy wear a long remote leash (which can be left dangling as the puppy wanders and investigates). Then if the puppy does not immediately obey the come command, a gentle tug of the leash can be used to get the puppy’s attention, and a repeated command in an upbeat, happy voice (along with a food or toy prompt) should be able to ensure that the come command is successful and rewarding.

How can I teach my new puppy to wait or follow?

Teaching a puppy to wait or follow are extensions of the other tasks you should have already taught. To teach your puppy to follow at your side (heel), use a food treat, place it by your thigh and entice the puppy both vocally and with the food to heel. As the puppy follows his nose to stay near the treat, he will also be learning to heel.

For dogs that constantly walk ahead or pull, teaching your dog to follow should begin where there are few distractions, such as in your backyard. To ensure success you should keep a leash or leash and head collar on your dog. Begin with a sit/stay command and give a reward. Start to walk forward and encourage your dog to follow or heel as above, using a food reward held by your thigh. Be certain to allow only a few inches of slack on the leash so that if your dog tries to run past you, you can pull up and forward on the leash so that the puppy returns to your side. Once back in the proper position (by your side for heel or behind you for follow), provide a little slack in the leash and begin to walk forward again. Continue walking with verbal reinforcement and occasional food rewards given as the dog follows. Each time the dog begins to pass you or pull ahead, pull up and forward on the leash, and release as the dog backs up. Although the dog could be made to sit each time he pulls forward, the goal is to have the dog return to your side. If the dog puts on the brakes and will not follow, all you need to do is release the tension and verbally encourage the dog to follow. Once you have the dog successfully heeling in the yard with no distractions, you can proceed to the front yard and the street, at first with no distractions, until good control is achieved.

How can I teach the dog to wait?

Although much the same as stay, this command is important for the dog that might otherwise bound out the front door, lunge forward to greet people and other dogs, or run across a busy street. Begin with sit/stay training, until the dog responds well in situations where there are few distractions such as indoors or in your backyard. Next, find a situation where the dog might try to pull ahead, such as at the front door, so that you can begin to teach the wait command. Training sessions should begin when there are no external stimuli outdoors (other dogs, people) that might increase your dog’s motivation to run out the door. Use a leash or leash and head collar to ensure control. Begin with a sit/stay by the front door. While standing between your dog and the door, and with only a few inches of slack on the leash, give the wait command and open the door. If the dog remains in place for a few seconds, begin to walk out the door and allow your dog to follow. Then repeat, with longer waits at each training session. If however, when you open the door or begin to walk out, your dog runs ahead of you, you should pull up on the leash, have your dog sit, release, give the wait command and repeat until successful. Once your dog will successfully wait for a few seconds and follow you out the door, gradually increase the waiting time, and then try with distractions (dogs or people on the front walk). This training should also be tried as you walk across the street, or before your dog is allowed to greet new people or dogs he meets.

Additional training information:

Basic Training

Command Training for Sit, Down, Stand, and Stay

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/training3.html

Resource References:
Much, much appreciation to Dr. Raymond Van Lienden, DVM of Clifton, VA USA for his extensive research in locating the material found on this page. Thank you, dear Doctor!

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