Will not "come" when distracted.

[jeanbeanca]

I have a 3 year old female, Nikki. Very friendly. She thinks she's a lab! We adopted her at 1-1/2. Was very well trained, but would not, and will not come, if there are distractions.

We work with her to "come", which she does if there are no distractions. We repeat, we treat, we praise. She reponds each time when we are home alone. But bring in deer scent, kids playing hockey, other dogs, etc., etc,........., she absolutely will not come if off leash or strains on leash and barks!!

Working with her on a leash at home, she is excellent. Out in public, she is not.

We live in a rural area with few neighbors but we do meet some on the road periodically. When on our own property, (180 acres) she is not leashed. When we are out on the road, she is.

She is not an aggressive dog, just very snoopy and playful. But as you know, most people aren't too comfortable with a Rottweiler bearing down on their kids, their dogs or themselves.

How can I keep her attention when there are strong distractions?

[WorkinDogz]

Well first thing you'll have to do is accept the fact that she is NOT trained.

A dog who IS obedience trained responds everytime...especially when they would rather not.

Unless you're an experienced trainer; I would suggest contacting a trainer. "Just because you own tools; doesn't make you a mechanic." :)

Next.....

Realize that your dog is only "somewhat" trained on-lead and absolutely NOT ready for off-lead privledges. 180 acres or not.

Going back to basics; laying the proper foundation (by rewarding every single time you call the dog to you; inside or outside.....you call her name; she comes.....you NEED to reward it. It builds a positive in their mind.)

Everytime you send your dog out for fun and excitement (and without you being physically attached to her via a leash) and she blows off your recall command......you're setting your training (and NOT making a positive imprint).

Dogs who are willing to blow you off in favor of their desires are only saying their foundation in obedience is full of cracks. You can, via consistancy and 100% reinforcement, try to patch those cracks......also introduce distractions SLOWLY and only after you're getting 100% and absolute consistant recall results WITHOUT distractions.

[jeanbeanca]

Dogs who are willing to blow you off in favor of their desires are only saying their foundation in obedience is full of cracks. You can, via consistancy and 100% reinforcement, try to patch those cracks......also introduce distractions SLOWLY and only after you're getting 100% and absolute consistant recall results WITHOUT distractions.

There is where the problem is. In the house or in the yard, in the bush, I do have 100% recall results on the come command, when not distracted.

I will take your advice and introduce distractions slowly. This should be fun!! (yikes) She is so used to running or pulling that, physically, I'm in for trouble. She's a big girl. I'm not a spring chicken, and the old shoulders, arms and back aren't what they used to be!!

But here goes. Thanks.

[Darseeuh]

A good idea we got from our trainer. When your training for this command get a very long rope so they can go far but you still have control. There is no way distraction or not they can just keep on goin'. Once they have that ingrained in their head then go on to training with no lead. I agree with Workindogz, "reward" positive & repetitive works! :)

[shybird]

As one not so much a Spring Chicken to another. Get a Halti headcollar for your baby. Makes you much stronger and them weaker... I have brusitis in both shoulders and can't take the pulling. The Halti was the best tool I ever bought. It does take alittle time for them to get use to it, but it is amazing....