Fido come back! - recall at the beach
ONE thing dog owners frequently ask is “How do I get my dog to come back to me at the beach?”
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Well if you think about it you have some pretty stiff competition at the beach.
There are lots of dogs to play with, people to run up to, waves to chase and for some dogs the freedom of being off leash is stupendous.
This gives us a clue as to one facet of the solution. You have to somehow make coming back to you more exciting, fun and rewarding than everything else that’s happening on the beach.
You do this by practicing recalling your dog using the yummiest treats, the squeakiest toy or the best tug of war game ever as the reward for coming back to you.
When you practice at the beach have your dog on a long lead until your dog reliably comes back to you before you let him/her off the lead.
A friend of mine also trained her dog to come back to a posties whistle which is a great idea if you don’t have a loud/strong voice.
Have doggy friends that your dog gets to play with elsewhere so the novelty of dogs to frolic with isn’t so overwhelmingly exciting at the beach.
This way you can also use romping with other dogs as the reward by asking your dog to come to you and as soon as they do giving them a release command e.g. “go play”.
Repeat this sequence randomly throughout their play date.
A controlled walk to the beach and/or controlled exit from the car helps you have their obedience and attention before you let your dog off the lead for a run.
Remember it is the law that a dog must be under effective control at all times which technically means on a leash at all times.
But the Eurobodalla Council has designated off leash beaches so please do the right thing and teach your dog to behave nicely so we can all enjoy off leash beaches for a very long time to come.
And finally general obedience training is always a very good idea. It helps your dog learn to be focused on you and on behaving no matter where you are.
If you would like to learn how to teach your dog basic obedience why not join the AWL Narooma Dog Training Club (NDTC).
We are welcoming new members this coming Saturday, March 7 at 1.30pm at NATA Oval. If you would like more information about the NDTC please call Yve on 0478 226 701.
Animals needing a new home include: FELINES: A crowd of cats: 5 female, 4 male; a duo of youngsters: 1 male, 1 female; and a throng of kittens: 6 female, 6 male. CANINES: 1 female 3yo Alaskan Malamute; 1 female 5yo Border Terrier x; 1 female mixed breed puppy. BIRDS: 1 female blue & white budgie called Tweety.
If you are interested in adopting a pet, please give us a call on 0410 016 612 or email awl.eurobodalla.nsw@gmail.com for more details.
The AWL promotes responsible pet ownership and all pets sold are micro-chipped, vaccinated, wormed and de-sexed and if necessary retrained. Costs are: dogs from $295; puppies from $350; cats from $120; and kittens from $170.
- Angela Keogh
AWL Far South Coast – older pets
THERE are lots of benefits when you take on an older pet. They are already toilet trained, so no late night garden visits!
Chewing is probably a thing of the past and the exuberance of youth has diminished.
There is also the benefit of knowing that you have given an older animal a second chance to see out its years in its forever home.
Old Jack is one such boy who deserves another chance with a great family. Jack only has one eye and nobody knows his story as he turned up in farmer’s shed. He is an old boy - definitely over 10 years old.
Please call 0400 372 609 to ask about Jack and other Far South Coast AWL Branch animals or check the Facebook page.