"stay" or "come" first?
- Thread starter korasmom
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I think that a good solid recall ("COME") is one of the most important things you can teach a dog. It teaches them to drop what they are doing and hightail it to you when you call. This is soooo important for their safety (ie. dog park, if they get loose on the street, etc). I think a stay is a great thing to have too but it is not a life-and-death thing like a consistent, solid recall. Be sure to reward her LOTS and make it fun so that she comes to realize that YOU are the best place in the universe to be near.
JMHO, as usual:P
Tam
JMHO, as usual:P
Tam
Tulsa-Dan
Your Friendly Moderator
Along with "watch me" command, the first thing I do is begin and end each training session with recall practice, no matter what skill the client and dog are working on. I also end each session with recall. I also have clients work extensively on recall throughout our course sessions as I too believe that along with making sure your dog looks at you when called, he/she comes to you, first time - every time when called. It will save your dog's life.
If my dogs never learned anything else, I'd be happy with the fact that they would come to me when called and I could save them from harm if necessary.
Additionally, "come" is easier to teach than "stay." And if the dog is young, you'll have better results working "come" first. And also, in that it is easy for the dog to learn, you can set the dog up for success and give him confidence at each training session by beginning with an exercise he knows, such as "come." And end each session on a high note - giving the dog more fun and feeling of confidence and success by ending the session with something he is proficient at such as the "come" command. Then lots of fun and reward and attention so the dog always remembers that coming to you when called is the BEST THING in his entire universe.
Recall, Recall, Recall!!!
If my dogs never learned anything else, I'd be happy with the fact that they would come to me when called and I could save them from harm if necessary.
Additionally, "come" is easier to teach than "stay." And if the dog is young, you'll have better results working "come" first. And also, in that it is easy for the dog to learn, you can set the dog up for success and give him confidence at each training session by beginning with an exercise he knows, such as "come." And end each session on a high note - giving the dog more fun and feeling of confidence and success by ending the session with something he is proficient at such as the "come" command. Then lots of fun and reward and attention so the dog always remembers that coming to you when called is the BEST THING in his entire universe.
Recall, Recall, Recall!!!
Trinitysmom
Super Boxer
Trinity is so funny, she actually learned "stay" first. We have tried to teach her "come" most of the time she will, other times she'll just sit there with her head tilted and look at us like we are nuts 
We are taking her to obedience classes when she turns 16 weeks, so we're hoping that will help!
We are taking her to obedience classes when she turns 16 weeks, so we're hoping that will help!
korasmom
Boxer Pal
Hi all,
Okay so I took the advice and started teaching "come" first. But I have one problem, she follows me everywhere! The book I have and the advice from other dog owners told me to keep her on a long training leash and have her "come" and if she doesn't come right away gently coax her into coming with the leash and then praise praise praise. Well as soon as I put a leash on her she is at my side no matter what. So I don't get a chance for her to come cause she is already there. So maybe start with "stay" first and have her "sit," "stay" and then "come"? She is so smart she learns really quick but I need to learn how to train her! Thanks for all the advice!
Okay so I took the advice and started teaching "come" first. But I have one problem, she follows me everywhere! The book I have and the advice from other dog owners told me to keep her on a long training leash and have her "come" and if she doesn't come right away gently coax her into coming with the leash and then praise praise praise. Well as soon as I put a leash on her she is at my side no matter what. So I don't get a chance for her to come cause she is already there. So maybe start with "stay" first and have her "sit," "stay" and then "come"? She is so smart she learns really quick but I need to learn how to train her! Thanks for all the advice!
I'm not a professional trainer, but I think that she might have gotten "leash smart". She know that when the leash is on she is in training. You might want to put the leash on a few times here and there and dont do any training, this way she wont associate the leash with training. Just a suggestion. Good luck.
If possible try working on "come" without the leash in a safe, fenced area. It sounds like she has the leash situation all figured out. She needs to know that she has to come even without the leash (ex. if she gets loose and heads for a busy street). If she won't leave your side get a friend to help you. Stand apart and take turns calling her so she runs back and forth. Emphasize the command "COME" so she's learning the recall and it will be a bonus that she is learning to come to not only you but to other people as well. As she improves move further and further away and make a game of it. Lots of treats and praise. You can even try it with you and your friend out of sight, like in different rooms in the house, or around the corner of a building. Have lots of fun teaching her this very important command.
If you find that she is completely ignoring you off-lead than go back to practicing on the leash.
Tam
If you find that she is completely ignoring you off-lead than go back to practicing on the leash.
Tam
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