Ping Pong
Come
Set Up:
Two people (or more) are stationed initially about 15 or 20 feet apart. Dog can be off-leash, or dragging a leash, or on a long line, depending on the safety of the area and your dog's response to distractions.
As the dog learns the game, you will gradually back up, so that you are further and further apart, and the dog has to work harder,
physically,( running from the front of the house to the backyard, or running upstairs then downstairs...) and work harder mentally, figuring out where the person has gone, and working to succeed at Come...
The Game:
First person says loudly and cheerfully, "Dog, Come!" then backs up 3 or more steps. (Moving away encourages the dog to come, while moving towards him encourages him to go...)
Once the dog reaches you, take him by the collar with one hand, as you deliver several yummy treats with the other, and/ or, engage in play such as tug. Once the celebration is finished, turn slightly and disconnect (socially) from the dog -- which frees him to do the Come for your training partner. Note: If your dog is not yet loving the Collar Grab, keep on working on it, but do not connect it to the Come, yet!
Set Up:
Two people (or more) are stationed initially about 15 or 20 feet apart. Dog can be off-leash, or dragging a leash, or on a long line, depending on the safety of the area and your dog's response to distractions.
As the dog learns the game, you will gradually back up, so that you are further and further apart, and the dog has to work harder,
physically,( running from the front of the house to the backyard, or running upstairs then downstairs...) and work harder mentally, figuring out where the person has gone, and working to succeed at Come...
The Game:
First person says loudly and cheerfully, "Dog, Come!" then backs up 3 or more steps. (Moving away encourages the dog to come, while moving towards him encourages him to go...)
Once the dog reaches you, take him by the collar with one hand, as you deliver several yummy treats with the other, and/ or, engage in play such as tug. Once the celebration is finished, turn slightly and disconnect (socially) from the dog -- which frees him to do the Come for your training partner. Note: If your dog is not yet loving the Collar Grab, keep on working on it, but do not connect it to the Come, yet!
Second person says loudly and cheerfully, "Dog, Come!"
then backs up 3 steps or more. As above-- collar grab/cookie, if dog is
comfortable with collar grab -- otherwise just PARTY! Once the
celebration is finished, turn slightly and disconnect (socially) from the
dog -- which frees him to do the Come for your training partner.
First person calls again, and backs up further, so that the two players are
getting farther apart, and the dog has to work harder...
And so on.
Rehearse in new areas.
Play with one person upstairs, and the other downstairs, or one inside, and one outside!
Turn it in to Hide-n-Seek --