A couple of weeks ago I was working on a beautiful beach in Westport, MA.
I was really looking forward to the day. I had three appointments on the same beach that day. What a way to start the day. Dogs, lots of sunshine, warm weather, it was going to be a great day.
My client shows up and we were going to work on recalls (come when called).
I explain a very effective exercise to start training their dog to come to them. I always do this on a long line for the dog’s safety.
I am holding onto the long line attached to their dog and I ask them to run about twenty feet from their dog.
Once they are about twenty feet away, they both crouch down and call their dog. Their dog hits the gas and rockets towards them. He is moving so fast the leash is ripped from my hand but I am not worried because he is heading straight for them.
No problem I think. He will go to them and they will grab him so we can get the leash.
A split second later the big smile on my face faded and all the positive thoughts I had about it being a great day deflated faster than a cheap balloon.
You see, their dog was racing right to them and at the last possible second she swerved and kept going. She never broke stride and would have made Barry Sanders proud of her footwork.
She did a drive by.
Once she was past us she really poured it on and was at the other end of the beach within seconds.
Luckily, dad is a runner and went after her in hot pursuit, but it still took about 30 minutes to get her back.
Anyway, this story is very instructive for you.
Drive bys are very common. You need to make sure your dog doesn’t race around you or play keep away.
So here is you homework. With a few treats, call your dog to you and EVERY time he gets within reach, give her the treat ONLY after you have your dog’s collar in your hand.
Call your dog to you. Reach down and take hold of the collar. Once the collar is in your hand give treat.
This will condition your dog to come ALL the way to you and avoid possible drive bys.
Okay, enough.
You’re busy and so am I so if you need more help teaching your dog to come when called go here NEXT:
Best,
Eric