One of the most important exercises in basic obedience is to teach the dog to "come to the call", essential for safety of him, for good communication and for coexistence. Of course, it is essential to practice it beforehand if we want our dog to do it whenever we ask.
Do you want to know why your dog ignores you? In this article on our site we are going to explain to you some causes that explain " why my dog doesn't come when I call him" and we will teach you 7 very simple tips to make your dog comes whenever you ask. You can not lose this!
Why does my dog ignore me when I call him?
Some guardians wonder why their dogs ignore them or, directly, or look at them when called. To answer that question, we suggest you imagine the following situation… If you were called "Magdalena" and someone wanted to greet you on the street using the name "Julia" or "María, you probably wouldn't even turn around, right? Not because you didn't want to greet that person, but because you just don't recognize those names as yours.
The same thing happens with our dogs. It may seem strange, but many dogs don't come when their handlers call them because they don't associate their name (prior to " come ") properly. Just like anyone else, dogs need to learn to recognize their name so they can pay attention when someone talks to them.
On the other hand, if you use your dog's name when scolding him for some inappropriate behavior, the dog may associate this term with a punishment or with your anger. If the dog has a negative experience with his own name, it is unlikely that he will come willingly when he hears your call. Therefore, it is crucial not to use the dog's own name when indicating bad behavior.
Why won't my dog obey me on the street?
It may happen that your dog does obey you at home but not on the street, why does this happen? There are many causes that can explain this behavior, for example a poor or no socialization In this case the dog has not learned to relate to the stimuli and individuals that are part of the environment, such as people, dogs, the street, squares, the countryside, etc. So the dog does not obey when he sees other dogs, people or when you visit certain places, like the park. Given the lack of socialization in the dog, fear or reactivity to certain stimuli is also often observed.
Dogs especially nervous and hyperactive can also stop responding to the call in the street, as well as those that have a state of overexcitement In this state it is very difficult for the dog to concentrate on calls or other orders from its guardians, since it will only respond to its instinct. In these cases it is important to ask ourselves if our dog suffers from stress or anxiety problems.
Although it shouldn't happen if the dog has the command to come here well worked out, the truth is that some dogs get distracted when they visit new environments, due to the multitude of stimuli they perceive. This cause represents a risk to your safety, so it is important to take it into account and get used to different environments on a regular basis, visiting parks, squares and all kinds of new places.
Finally, we come to the most important point, discovering if our dog has learned the command well. Perhaps you think you have worked it enough, after a few training sessions, but if is not responding properly then most likely not. Discover on our site how to teach the dog to come to the call. We also leave you a video!
7 tricks to make your dog come when you call him
If your dog doesn't come when you call him, the first thing you'll need is time, patience and the use of positive reinforcement. Dogs are very intelligent animals that can easily learn when given the right stimuli to develop their cognitive abilities.
Here are 7 key tips to make your dog come when called:
1. Choose the ideal name for your dog
The moment of choosing the name of our dog should not be interpreted as a simple initial detail of the adoption. The choice of name is a fundamental aspect of their upbringing and will have a great impact on their education. You will use your furry's name to get his attentionn before giving him any command. Therefore, both the furry and the guardian must feel identified with the chosen name, since it will be part of the bond that they will form throughout their shared life.
Obviously, there is no manual of rules when choosing the name of our best friends. However, it is important to know some recommendations that will be useful in your day to day. For example: if you name it with words that we use regularly, such as "morning" or "day", this can confuse it and make it difficult to identify it. On our site, we have many options to help you choose an original name for your best friend.
On the other hand, if you choose a name that is too long or difficult to pronounce, you will end up using a nickname to summon your furry friend. For this reason, many of us have also prepared some short and pretty name ideas for your furry friend.
two. Choose a word to call him and always use the same one
Before you start teaching your dog a new command, you will need to choose a single word to designate it. Always remember to prefer a short term, which makes it easier for your best friend to understand, since he must connect this word with your request to execute it successfully.
To call your dog, you can use terms like "here", "come" or "here", for example. And remember to always use the same word when teaching him to recognize the call.
3. Teach your dog to come here with treats
If you want your dog to come when you call him, you will have to work so that he assimilates the word you choose as a call ("here" "come" or "here") with the action of being present when side or in front of you (that is, to come). The ideal is to carry out this process when your furry is still a puppy, after starting his education.
For your dog to understand this new command, the ideal is to offer him a reward each time he successfully responds to your call. The positive reinforcement is the best method to teach your best friend, prevent misbehavior and stimulate learning. The prizes do not necessarily have to be candy; you can also use caresses, toys or words The important thing is to give your furry a reward for each successfully executed task, such as coming towards you when you use the call word.
On the contrary, physical and emotional violence is counterproductive and dangerous In a negative or humiliating situation, your best friend will not be able to develop their cognitive abilities or understand what positive behaviors you expect from him. But if you reward his good behavior and acknowledge his efforts on a daily basis, you will be stimulating his mind and improving the bond between you. And these are essential aspects for learning your furry.
4. Don't use the call to scold him
Of course, we reaffirm that scolding your dog is not a recommended method of training him. Scolding is a high-stress situation that causes very negative feelings in dogs, such as fear or anxiety If you use the call to express your anger and point out this inappropriate attitude, your dog will be able to associate these words with these negative feelings. And this will make it difficult for him to obey you and come when he hears the call.
If we want to point out inappropriate behavior, use a simple "No", in a balanced and firm tone of voice. In addition, your body language should also express what your words say. When you say a firm and direct "No", your attitude should also be ignore him momentarily, with a calm but indifferent posture. Without expressing anger or increasing the stress level of this context.
In this way, your best friend will be able to understand that his behavior has not been well received, since he has not generated your approval or attracted your attention
5. Improve the bond with your dog
The bond you maintain with your dog is a key aspect of its education. Dogs obey their guardians with respect and affection, and not out of fear or submission When your best friend feels trust in you and perceives that his love is returned, this very special link provides you with the optimal environment and conditions to develop your cognitive, social and emotional skills.
Therefore, take your time to create quality moments with your best friend in your spare time. During the week, try to set aside at least 45 minutes to spend with your dog; physical activity and mental recreation will do both of you good. And if you like to exercise, you can start a sport with your dog, such as canicross. In addition, you can also have fun with your furry indoors, proposing intelligence games or teaching him some basic obedience commands.
6. Teach him to walk correctly with you
Although dogs naturally learn how to walk and move, it is essential that you teach them how to behave positively during their walks in environments outside of your home. To do this, in addition to socializing him properly, it will be essential to teach your dog to walk correctly with you, to prevent him from pulling on the leash and hurting himself, not wanting to walk or barking excessively to other dogs.
7. Seek professional help
If you notice that your dog continues to ignore you or shows behavior problems during walks or at home, we recommend that you seek help of an expert in ethology or a canine educator. These professionals will be able to help you establish specific guidelines for the education of your best friend, according to their own needs and individual characteristics.
