Shorty is a 10 month old Corgi whose favorite game is KeepAway.
The rules of the game are as follows:
1. When the word “Come” is uttered, run in the opposite direction of the speaker.
2. If a leash is offered for a walk, dance lightly just out of reach.
3. Whenever a human picks up car keys or a purse, slink quickly out of sight and hide under the bed.
4. Ignore squeaky toys. As appealing and compelling as the sound is, you can find and play with the toy later.
5. If caught, roll over on your back, adopt beseeching look in your warm brown eyes, and enjoy petting accompanied by mild scolding.
Here’s how to change the rules:
A. Attach a long leash (25 feet or more) to your dog’s collar. Walk away from him, then crouch down and call him.
B. See A above, but this time, introduce a distraction, and then call him to come when he reaches it. The distraction can be anything your dog adores – a treat, a toy, another dog, a child – again, praise effusively when he leaves the distraction behind to grace you with his presence.
C. See A and B above, but call your dog before he can reach the distraction. He must – gasp! – choose between the distraction and you. If he peels himself away from that moistened tennis ball you just threw and heads in your direction, you are on your way to winning the Recall Game.
Comments