SOME BASICS WITH "COME" AND THE E-COLLAR

The first video is an overview.

This second video is a demo with Joe’s pup June.

And we have a couple videos of Joe working these exercises with one of our students!

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INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Say your pups name, then the "COME" command

  • Tap the button on your remote as you say the word "COME"

IF your pup responds and starts to come back to you:

  • Say YES! when they turn to come back to you. Give plenty of food rewards & praise when they get over to you.

IF they don't respond right away:

  • Start the cadenced tapping on your remote (tap...tap....tap)

  • Try calling them again, be clear and concise

  • The tapping stops when they start to come back to you.

  • Mark YES when they start to finally come back towards you

  • Reward them upon return

  • Once they are back over to you, they are technically supposed to hang by you and await other directions. This means they are not supposed to run off right away! We want them to hang out in your "personal space" until you tell them FREE with a tap, tap of your HAND on their shoulder or give them another command. This could be a sit, down, let's go...whatever you like. 

IF they try to leave your personal space before you give permission:

  • Start the cadenced tapping on your remote (tap...tap...tap) until they start to head back to you. The tapping stops when they start to come back to you.

  • You don't need to reward them with food again when they return. Technically they just broke command. A little verbal praise is ok though.

*Practice calling your pup back to you in different situations. Start in your home and work your way into higher distracting environments. The more you do this, the better your pup will be at responding to YOU! Make sure to pay them big time for coming back!

*I don't recommend having your pups fully off-leash yet. If you're going to practice outside, make sure to have a "long-line" connected to them. This is a lightweight leash between 10-50 ft. Once you've practiced calling them away from: dogs, people, squirrels, etc. and you're feeling confident on how to use the remote, then it's time to go off-leash! Our trainers can help you practice this during our follow up lessons together.

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Play the "GET IT" game with them!

When you call them over to you, instead of just releasing them with the FREE release. You can instead:

  • Toss out a single piece of food for them as you say "get it!" This means, "good work! go get your reward over there!"

  • Make sure you throw a single piece of food that is large enough for them to see. Try not to throw a bunch of pieces.

  • Once they are finishing munching on the food, call them back over to you! (name...COME! - as you tap the button on your remote)

  • When they get back to you, reward them with a "Jackpot" of food. At least more than what you threw!

REPEAT!!

*This short and repetitive "Get it Game" is an easy and fun way to work on your recall with your pup. Think about it: Your pup gets to chase down a reward and eat it, then come back to you for an even bigger reward! The simple and repetitive nature of the game can help you build a stronger reward history with your pup! And of course, switch up where you play this and where the food is tossed to add challenge and diversity. Have fun with it.

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TIPS:

You may need to adjust your levels on your e-collar for them to respond. (This applies with anything you are asking of them) But especially recall, since they will most likely be further away from you, and outside!

If you see that they are clearly not responding with some attempts, or they continue to break the desired command. Incrementally go up on the remote, and try again.

This principle applies both ways. Sometimes you need to go up a bit, sometimes you need to go down a bit. Just remember you will not hurt them with the e-collar!