I could have killed Teddy today!

[nana911]

Originally Posted by MaddieBoo

That must have been so scary!

For Lucas we have an "emergency recall" command. Basically you choose a distinct word that you do not use in everyday life. Ours is BOOMERANG.

For the first week or so of training with it, you train 3 times a day. For the actual practice you YELL the word several times (BOOMERANG BOOMERANG BOOMERANG) when the dog is in another room. When the dog comes, you give 12-15 treats over 30 seconds while praising verbally as well. This is important because this command and praise needs to be distinct from everything else you train your dog to do. This has to be special.

So you do that 3 times a day for the first week, once a day for the next week or 2 depending on how solid you feel they've got it. Then, you practice it once a week forever, so that the dog never forgets.

This has worked marvelously for Lucas, and although we have never had to use it in a real emergency, it gives me such comfort to know that if I ever needed to I would be able to call him at the drop of a hat (and knowing 12 treats are coming up, boy does he run!). I would definitely recommend this for ensuring Teddy comes back quickly if you ever really need him to

I really like this idea. Sounds very logical. I know that for 12-15 Hostess Ho-Hos, I'd stop anything I was doing and run...every time.

I also think that 'stop' 'stay' any way you say them are firmer and more authoritative than 'here' 'halt', just in the way the words come out.

[MaddieBoo]

Originally Posted by nana911

I really like this idea. Sounds very logical. I know that for 12-15 Hostess Ho-Hos, I'd stop anything I was doing and run...every time.

I also think that 'stop' 'stay' any way you say them are firmer and more authoritative than 'here' 'halt', just in the way the words come out.

LOL! Me too. I think that is the key to emergency recall's success

[GAOMariposa]

When I need to get my baby to stop I use her sit command. She just stops and doesn't even try to sit down when I use that command outside. I guess it's because she doesn't like sitting on anything that isn't carpet. LOL. I'm glad your baby was okay. I think we are the ones who freak out more than they do.

[spiritwings1202]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

The most important thing you can teach your dogs is the "here" command. Only use it for things like this. Don't use it to put them in their crate or give them a bath. But practice outside and wherever and whenever you can. I use my 2 fingers and I say here and they get a treat when they come running and touch my fingers and believe me, they do come running. I highly recommend doing this. I do have to say though that even mine might not come "here" if they were chasing after another dog.... I have to keep practicing this....

I really need to work on that bc I just posted a thread about Pixie running off on me and it is an awful feeling when they do that. Next project is going to be teaching Pixie here!!! Thanks for that tip

[spiritwings1202]

Originally Posted by nana911

I really like this idea. Sounds very logical. I know that for 12-15 Hostess Ho-Hos, I'd stop anything I was doing and run...every time.

I also think that 'stop' 'stay' any way you say them are firmer and more authoritative than 'here' 'halt', just in the way the words come out.

I like this idea as well bc Miss tirdy tird Pixie the master escape artist loves her treats and I think this would work for her. lol She will be like oh shoot I need to get over ther before Daisy to get my 12 treats!!! lol..................I can see it now!! lol I am looking forward to this one!! lol

[EXOTICYORKIES]

Originally Posted by roccosmommy

that is so strange, because rocco also responds to stop, yet he was never trained on it. He's not 100%, but he sure listens to that better than "come", which we've worked on for months now . Maybe it's less about the word and more about the sound/tone that goes with it?

i agree my dogs may not listen to anything else but when i say stop they know i mean business .....i'm glad your dogs are ok i had 2 say stop twice while im typing lol but he didnt listen because its all in the tone .........

[allyboo]

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

That is so strange, because Rocco also responds to STOP, yet he was never trained on it. He's not 100%, but he sure listens to that better than "come", which we've worked on for months now . Maybe it's less about the word and more about the sound/tone that goes with it?

I think they're intuitive, and know it when you REALLY mean it. Milly will often pull my slipper off my foot and run off with it, and no amount of coaxing will get her to drop it (she puts it in her toy box and tries to hide it).

But I've dropped a nail before while hanging a picture (it was quite sharp!) and she picked it up. Using the drop command same as with the slippers, her mouth instantly opened and she dropped it.

So yeah, I think maybe it's something in the tone or body language, where she knew I really really meant it.

[Arzel36]

Glad everyone is safe.