Dog sits, stays and comes, but vet fetches!
By: Dr. Daniel Eubanks
Have you ever stood at the street corner trying to hold a conversation with a neighbor while your dog is exercising pirouettes at the end of his leash and then proceeds to dance on the neighbor’s clean clothes with his muddy feet?
It’s more than distracting; it’s embarrassing. Proper training with a few basic obedience commands could transform this scenario into a controlled, comfortable, sane encounter. Adherence to these few commands is especially reassuring in "off-leash" activities such as at the park or a trail in the woods.
I’m not talking about competition-level obedience here. I’m referring to the three basic commands that are invaluable for any pet dog owner sit, stay and come. Advanced commands such as fetch, heel, etc., are nice, but basics come first.
How about obedience training for our feline companions? Forget it! Remember, "Cats don’t have owners; cats have staff!"
Commands must be firm and uncomplicated one syllable with authoritative enunciation. Our dogs truly are man’s best friends, but they’re not rocket scientists. Keep it simple.
Dogs learn by association of response with reward. Have plenty of small treats in your pocket. Biscuit morsels work, but the more irresistible the treat, the steeper the learning curve. Bits of hot dog or cheese add enthusiasm to the lessons.
"Sit" is so simple because you can show the dog what he’s expected to do. Three-month-old pups can learn this. State the command, gently push his rear end down, and provide immediate reward. Do not proceed until "sit" is mastered.
"Stay" requires more discipline and attention span, usually by six months of age. This is actually a two-part command "Sit. Stay." First make the dog sit, then extend a hand in the "halt" position and say "stay." Release by dropping the hand, saying "OK" and immediately provide reward.
Gradually increase the length of time the dog must maintain the sit-stay position and start to distance yourself by slowly creeping backward. Don’t bite off too much at once, but you should eventually be able to be out of sight, in an adjacent room or behind a tree or other obstruction, and the dog will maintain "stay" until you verbally release him.
"Come" is an essential command if you intend to enjoy off-leash activities. This command might be learned easily or it might require more intense measures, depending on the dog’s personality.
Many dogs will respond to "come" naturally without any instruction and as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age. If you squat down and extend a hand, they will come to you before you can even utter the command. They do this for one or more of the following reasons they like you, they respect you as the alpha, and/or they know you’re concealing something to eat.
All you have to do here is make the dog associates the word "come" with the response, followed by a reward, and you’re rock solid. Be sure, however, the response is predictable even with distractions such as the presence of other dogs, people, etc.
Some dogs require a little more cunning in the form of a negative reward for disobedience. Start indoors with a 12-foot lead and use the same technique described before. Use positive reward for every obedient response. If he does not come after two or three commands (five seconds), reel him in to you while repeating the word "come."
Do not tell him he’s "a good dog." Be sure he understands the response you expect from the command. Do not offer positive reward until he performs this on his own. Gradually increase the length of the lead and take the lesson outdoors. Always reward with a treat and your verbal approval.
Graduation day for any type of pupil requires a trip to a local baseball field, off season, with no distractions and with fencing around the entire perimeter. Start with the long lead, then try it without the lead. Allow the dog to wander off, then command "come." Repeat this ad nauseum until dependable.
Remember that many dogs are smart enough to respect the lead or the fence as the alpha, but not you. Remove the lead or the fence, and "come" is no longer so compelling.
This brings us to the obstinate, bullheaded problem pupil who has alpha issues. This dog won’t come, not because of a cognitive disorder, but due to his impenetrable will. He conveniently forgets the "come" command response when he realizes he’s not confined in any manner.
This dog requires a sterner reprimand at the moment of the disobedience. Yet how do you reprimand a dog that is 50 feet away and be sure he associates the negativity with his lack of response?
Years ago, I had such a dog. I personally took him to the University of Pennsylvania Vet School’s behavior department to see the "doggie shrink." I expected a complex, involved protocol of behavior modification, but, instead, was advised to use a version of the invisible fence concept a remote controlled electronic collar.
The transmitter is handheld and activated by the trainer, and the dog’s collar is a receiver with a mild shock device. It’s about the same intensity as the invisible fence collar a stern reprimand, but not at all inhumane.
I know because I’ve activated it on myself! I just hope my wife doesn’t find out how well it works!
One trip to the ballpark was all that was required. Sgt. "Schultz" was quickly transformed from an alpha to a beta and not only came, but saluted. He was smart enough, though, to associate the reprimand with the long transmitter antenna.
Long after returning the collar device, I was able to reinforce the command response with a small fishing pole extending high from my back pocket. No electronics were needed, and copious positive reward for his respect for the antenna was adequate.
"Fetch" is the last command, and I don’t have a clue. I retrieve my own morning newspaper from the driveway in the rain while both my dog and cats sit and watch from the garage doorway, wondering what in the world has gotten into me!

