Gigolo has a trainer and one of the things we are working on is "Come". According to the trainer, dogs, much like children (or husbands!) tune you out especially since there are rarely consequences to them not "coming" when called. What she does with Gigolo is the following..first he has a regular collar and a long lead (just for training, otherwise I only believe in a harness, so I protect that tiny neck!!). Either the trainer or I (whoever is in control of the lead) say "Gigolo, come" at the same time that you give the command you are giving the dog a firm tug towards you (therefore he has to walk in my direction). When he gets to you, you praise, "Good Gigolo, good come", (she reinforces this praise with a "clicker" and treats. It is especially effective if the dog is walking in the opposite direction than where I'm walking and I say "Gigolo, Come" and give pull the lead towards me, give him a "click", praise and treat all at the same time (takes a little dexterity because animals ability to correlate the act and the praise is 1.5 seconds!!).
He loves his training sessions and needless to say, he does everything perfectly for the trainer. (Sort of the "mommy syndrome" of best behavior for company) She walks in and he goes through his entire repetoire for her "sit", "down", "circus dog" (the picture on the avatar). By the way, once they get the idea of whatever command you are giving, you no longer give them a treat, I still use the clicker and of course lots of praise!! When she leaves us (after at least an hour) , Gigolo is exhausted...but he loves his job. Now I'm teaching him to do "relax" (sort of lying on his side) and "place" which means to go to his bed!
Wasn't sure that he would be up for a training session on Sunday because he was neutered a few dasy prior to that but figured I would give it a try. He was right on....even let me walk away after giving the "sit" or "down" command without getting up before I gave him the "free" command (meaning he can do whatever he likes)
They all need lots of reinforcement and practice at whatever you are training them to do..which mostly requires patience and enthusiasm from us!!
Gigolo's Mom