Gotcha!

Does your dog run from you when you go to reach for his/her collar?  Some dogs will even mouth you.  Putting your hands over a dog's head is very intimidating and can be interpreted as threatening.

Your dog needs to be comfortable around all kinds of people and other animals in all kinds of social situations. He needs to be exposed to many good experiences, noises, places, and daily things as he will come into contact with the rest of his life. And it all needs to be done before he’s 16 weeks old! If your dog missed that opportunity in early puppyhood, you can still work on it. It’s never too late! Use lots of treats so he will associate those things and people as a good experience.

Gotcha: Your dog could get grabbed at any time of his life.  This exercise could prevent him from biting a person or child who reaches for his collar. This exercise is intended to desensitize your dog to having his collar grabbed. In addition it will teach you the correct way to grab a dog’s collar. He will learn to associate a collar grab with a food reward.

•         Have your dog sit in front of you. 

•         Say “Gotcha!” and quickly feed him a treat.

•         Repeat until you see him respond when you say “Gotcha!”

•         Circle your hand over his head, saying, “Gotcha!” and treat.

•         Repeat until he is calm when you do this and looking forward to a treat.

•         Then touch his collar under the chin with a “Gotcha! and treat.

Gradually increase over several practice sessions the intensity of your touches to his collar until you’re grabbing the collar with the “Gotcha!”

Troubleshooting: If at any time he flinches or tries to pull away, you may have moved forward too quickly. Back up a few steps and start again.


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