Re-training the come command

andrewred · 05-09-2008, 10:30 AM

Hi everyone! So heres my dilema. Ryder is now about 9 months and starting to almost completely ignore me when I take him to the park when there are other dogs around or lots of sticks for him to chew or whatever. Up until about 7 months old he was great with coming when called and doing whatever else I told him too. For the past month Ive been trying to re train him to come when called, and do whatever I can to get his attention on me. His hearing is so selective and I dont know what to do. If i call him he may come half way or all the way but then bolt back to play with the other dogs, or do whatever else intrigues him. Sometimes he'll come if hes really bored with everything,and I reward him, but I also dont know what to do when I call 'come' and he doesnt respond. I dont wanna over use it so he learns to further ignore me. I need help on how to get him to come to me. Hes great at listening to me when on a leash or inside the house, but off and outside is another story.
Thanks so much for reading this. Much apreciated.

**K9Jarko** · 05-09-2008, 11:15 AM

Just an opinion....but considering he's only 9 months old, running off-lead, with many distractors and obviously not consistent in returning...I would say he is not ready for the "come" while off-lead. I understand your situation of wanting to allow him off-lead time at the park etc., for exercise, but knowing that he is not consistent in responding to a come command - I personally would not even give him the command...if I can't enforce it. Does he have a reliable down or a sit?...if so I would use those and then just walk up to him and leash him up or whatever - praising him every time of course. If he's not reliable under distractions, off-leash with at least a sit or down....I would suggest keeping a line on him.

I personally would not permit my dogs to run off leash outside my own fenced property without them having a very reliable recall. To many unforeseen circumstances can arise....that could affect the safety and health of my dog......even at a park.

When outside I would have him on a long line - that way you can enforce the command if he decides that he'd rather not come right away. Until he's proficient every time while on the long line...I would not proceed to testing him off leash.

ADDED: Ya might wanta try using a different word - such as Here -and start from scratch.

Just my opinion....I'm sure others will give theirs

gracieface · 05-09-2008, 11:27 AM

there is a video out called the really reliable recall, I'll have to see if I can find out who does it, but I have seen workshops offered on it. I've never tried it so can't say how good, but I do know a trainer who has offered it at her facility.

**K9Jarko** · 05-09-2008, 11:38 AM

That's a pretty good video.....I think Target still sells it but not positive - my dogs emergency recall command is "ball". They'll stop on a dime and return to me - no matter what they are chasing

Dobemom2b · 05-09-2008, 11:53 AM

I agree with K9Jarko, the drag or long line is a valuable tool. My boy is 13mths old and still wears one 90% of the time he is let out, even in his own yard. He has never had a good recall and until he does I know not to give the command if I can't enforce it after one command.

**MIA** · 05-09-2008, 02:37 PM

Mocha's wore a long line for a long time as she had no training when I got her so I used the line to catch her. I would get the line THEN ask her to come as I could reinforce it and it worked very well. She has a few "come" commands, she has "come", which is the standard come, sit in front and wait. She has "here" which is come and sit beside me and she has "NOW" which is get close as fast as you bloody can - that would be the emergency one. She also comes to a specific whistle of mine. This all came over time but well worth the work. I would take her to the tennis courts and work her as well at the dog park I would actually tie her to a bench or tree with a flat buckle collar and work her hands free so if she bolted she wouldn't be able to go anywhere and would self correct in a way - worked like a chime. I would always thank her for coming as well, I don't do treats with her for obedience as she looses her mind but she loves praise.

Dobemom2b · 05-09-2008, 02:54 PM

Come does seem to be one of the hardest ob basics to teach without a helper. I'm finding that out with my boy. With previous dogs we would make a big circle or have several people like at a volleyball game or picnic etc where we would each take turns calling the pup and treating when it went to whom ever called it. It also helped tons with socializing as the pup learned to run to almost anyone and sit in front of them waiting for a treat. They saw everyone as a friend. As they get older they become a little more discriminating.

**MIA** · 05-09-2008, 03:04 PM

Teaching it to my dogs I would start on a short leash and work my way to a long line, bigger distances, then in a controlled area, then tied to an object, then off etc..... I also have MinPins and anyone with MinPins knows they don't do "come" well all mine do! LOL and all my rescues do! LOL Time and patience... Lots of praise when they do it right. I NEVER EVER correct when teaching "come", it's all fun and I never tell my dogs to come here and then give them heck for something. My husband does that, and then he wonders why they don't come to him

andrewred · 05-09-2008, 03:35 PM

Hes got a really good sit and down which is a good thing so I can get him on the leash when I want to if its done that way but i need him to re learn come. Another good thing is that when we are leaving the park and almost at the gate to open it he comes by him self. But i want it on command.
Thanks for the info guys!

**voodoolizard** · 05-09-2008, 03:41 PM

i had terrible trouble with ths come command with zeus.
i got a dog whistle from the pet shop.
i started hiding in the garden in various places, i would blow one long blow, they would come running.. big treat and praise.
i did this for about 3 weeks, hiding different places in the house or garden.
we then tried off lead in a field where zeus normally totally ignors me lol
it worked.. i normally reacall 3ish times in the field then release, then on the 4th recall i leash him again, i do this so he does not associate the whistle while in the field with going back on leashe !
it works really well. i do it every day to call them in from the garden etc it saves the neightbours hearing me hollar zeus and missy too LOL