Training the dog to come upon command by voice or motion may seem to be somewhat needless yet it is deserving of the place of first of the commands; is part of the foundation of educating the dog inasmuch as it consists almost entirely of obedience, is associated with almost all other commands, and usually is involved as part of all other training of the dog.
First, get the attention of the dog. Call his name, whistle, or clap the hands sharply. I use frequently a quick, loud clapping of the hands as an excellent means of obtaining attention, particularly when there are other sounds, human or otherwise. It is a distinctive sound, readily identified by the dog.
If a whistle is used, not the whistle of the voice, it should be used only for attracting the attention of the dog. Persons of weak voice well can use it at all times.
The whistle or voice, a mechanical whistle, and the clapping of hands should be employed for they do not excite the dog as does the voice at times when the master himself is excited, they reach farther, they disturb others less, and they receive the dog’s attention more quickly.
The order to come, may be commanded by the word “come,” or “here,” or the motion of the hand in a welcoming fashion after one calls out the dog’s name. As the command is given, start walking away from the dog. Most dogs fear punishment when they are called to the waiting master. The dog naturally runs after the master. Dogs often punished or punished unjustly or excessively are inclined to disobey the command to come.
Sometimes a dog is stubborn and refuses to come. I usually have success with such dogs by stooping down, speaking gently, and bolding out my hand. ]t seldom fails for every dog interprets this as a pledge of friendliness. To whip a dog after he comes thus, is to be a hypocrite to him. The master who has the confidence of his dog, gets a quick obedience to the command to come.
The value of this command is great when dogs run toward danger such as moving autos. The owner too often becomes excited, shouts furiously and rushes to the dog. This only tends to confuse the dog, who begins to run faster or else thinking the master wishes to play, joins in the excitement by running faster. Or he may interpret the master’s actions as the notice of punishment for him.
The better procedure is to attract the dog’s attention, to call slowly and with an upward swing of the voice, avoiding roughness or shrillness. Call him to you as you start walking away from him. The dog always will follow the master. If your dog will not come to you, run away from him.
To train the dog to stop or to halt, get his attention, command roughly and loudly “stay,” “stop.” or “nix,” and at the same time hold the arm up, with the palm of the hand outward. Best of all, use the familiar roughlyshouted “no” or call his name gruffly. Always use the same word for this command; it is important as the command to “come” for it may some day save the dog’s life, and surely obedience to it will keep him out of mischief and you, as his owner, out of trouble and perhaps the necessity of paying damages.
I use the command “slow,” spoken in a smooth drawn-out voice when I want my dog to slacken his speed or be careful. For instance, I get results from this command when the dog is running where there is scattered glass.