The DOG-MASTER® Method in ACTION

 

PROPER USE OF THE METHOD IS ALL IMPORTANT!
BEFORE YOU BEGIN

 

1

You read the directions. They are easy, but they are exact.

2

You practice ALONE, away from your dog, or dogs. Put down a towel or pillow as a “pretend” dog. This is your target.

3

Now you develop your timing and technique. Practice the 5-step sequence shown in the illustration on the right side of this page with your “pretend” dog, NOT your actual dog. Your dog should be kept far enough away from the area where you are practicing so that he/she cannot hear both you and the instrument.

4

Keep practicing until you can speak “COME” at the exact same time as the instrument sounds: both in your hands, and at the very instant you see it land. Your timing is CRITICAL to your success. Again, make sure the word COME occurs at exactly the same instant as the instrument sounds.

5

Practice your delivery of saying “Rex, Come” until it becomes hypnotic-like in rhythm, sounding the instrument every other time you say “Rex, Come.” Of course, you substitute your dog’s name for Rex. Have someone observe your timing so you can fine tune along the way. Say each “Rex, Come” per second at first, slowly increasing the cadence.

6

When you have the entire 5-step sequence down to 5 seconds or less and feel you’re ready, try it on your dog.

AN ILLUSTRATION OF A ONE-CONDITIONING SEQUENCE

TEACHING "COME"

 

Please note that only the basic steps are presented here, just to give you a general idea of the DOG-MASTER®  method in action. The BOOK gives you the COMPLETE details of this most important teaching step, such as what to do if the dog does not respond at first, or if the dog runs around while you are speaking the commands, etc.  So in no way is this illustration meant to replace the BOOK. The book is still your most important guide and resource.

 

FOR A MINUTE!

It is very important that  you have practiced and perfected your rhythm, cadence, and technique first BEFORE actually trying this on your dog. Look to the LEFT SIDE of this page where it says "BEFORE YOU BEGIN." Read that, and when you are ready, go back to this exercise....

 

...OK, are you ready to try this on your dog? Here we go....

 

BUT FIRST, have all available DOG-MASTER® instruments in your pocket or apron, where you can reach them at once.

Now, take out one instrument― does not matter whether it's an M-1 or an M-2 or an M-3 or an M-4― from your pocket or apron, and hold it in your hand without sounding it. Now, proceed...

 

STEP 1

Substituting your dog's name for Rex, say "Rex, COME."

Put slight emphasis on "Come."

Avoid sounding insistent or demanding.

DO NOT sound the DOG-MASTER® instrument.

Time Duration: One (1) second or less.

 

STEP 2

"Rex, COME!"

Quick shake or "CHINK" the DOG-MASTER® at the EXACT SAME MOMENT you speak the word COME.

Time Duration: One (1) second or less.

 

STEP 3

"Rex, COME!"

Do not sound the DOG-MASTER® instrument.

This is the exact same step as in Step 1. Do not bypass step 3, as a lot of people  tend to do so. That is why it's important to practice first.

Time duration: One (1) second or less.

 

STEP 4.

"Rex..... COME!"

Toss the DOG-MASTER instrument toward your dog as you say “Rex.” Then speak “COME” at the instant you see it land. This takes your word COME to your dog, like an invisible leash in its effect. If your dog looks at the DOG-MASTER, your timing was off—your word did not reach your dog simultaneously as the sound did. But if your dog looks immediately at YOU instead, you’re right on time. Praise your dog for ANY first response.

Time Duration: One (1) second or less.

 

STEP 5.

"Rex, COME!"

Crouch down to your dog's level.

Clap your hand as dog comes running toward YOU!

Praise your dog on any sign of a response, even if he/she does not come to you.

Get ready to repeat this same sequence.

Time Duration: One (1) second or less.

TOTAL TIME DURATION FROM STEPS 1 THRU 5: Five (5) seconds or less

 

NOTE THAT whether your dog comes to you or not at the end of this one sequence, you will notice that you no longer have the DOG-MASTER® instrument in your hand, because you tossed it toward your dog on step 4. However, you will need another instrument in your hand in order to repeat the sequence over and over until your dog is responding well. 

 

If you started with more than one instrument in your pocket, DO NOT WALK OVER TO PICK UP the instrument as this will cause you to lose your rhythm and will make YOU come to the DOG instead of the DOG coming to YOU. That is NOT YOUR GOAL. Instead, take out the next instrument from your pocket or apron and use that for the next sequence. THIS IS WHY WE RECOMMEND HAVING AS MANY AS FOUR INSTRUMENTS WHEN YOU ARE JUST BEGINNING WITH THE INITIAL CONDITIONING OF YOUR DOG.

 

After your dog is responding well, you try different locations and you increase the distance, selecting just the right instrument (an M-1, M-2, M-3, or M-4) for the conditions, and making sure that the instrument can reach your dog, wherever your dog may be. You progress from four instruments to one, then none.

 

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