You know how they say things come to you when you need them? Well, I have had Dr. Patricia McConnell’s book ‘The Other End of the Leash’ in my stack of books for…well, an embarrassingly long period of time. Once I picked it up though, I have been fascinated! And I had an ‘Ah-ha!/D’oh!’ moment as I read Chapter Two. I have had dogs for decades now and have trained several dogs over the years. Sonagh, my six year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix, has, without a doubt, been the most difficult dog I have ever attempted to train. However, six years into the mission, we are doing fine…with one exception. She still doesn’t come when she is called, which means that I haven’t figured out how to communicate this to her. Until I read Chapter Two! Now, Sonagh is coming every time; I have not had to stand at the door and yell at her repeatedly to ‘Come!’. (Sound familiar?)
So, what is this piece of magic? Well, you are probably going to have the same ‘Ah-ha!/D’oh!’ reaction I did when you hear how simple this is. The crux of what Dr. McConnell says is this: canines are visual creatures. If you are standing facing them while you are calling them, you are actually sending a mixed message. Your verbal command is telling them to ‘Come’ but your physicality, the direction of your paws and face, is telling them that you are going the to be moving forward…so why then, if you look like you are going to be moving toward them, would they then come to you? For all the world, it looks like you are going to come out into the yard and join the rabbit hunt!
So what magnificent pearl of wisdom did Dr. McConnell impart that has had such an amazing impact on the quality of my relationship with my sweet Sonagh? Point your face and your paws in the direction you want the dog to be going! I told you it was simple! So now when I want Sonagh to come in, I go to the door, call her name to get her attention, tell her to ‘Come!’ and turn around to face the family room! Sometimes I will add a few slaps on my thigh to encourage her to speed up, but she is moving…every time!!! This is amazing to me, as I have struggled for years to get Sonagh to ‘Come’ on command. Sigh! Who knew it was a simple as turning around?
I hope this helps you and your dog!
Cheers!
Edie
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