New Dad Looking for Some Suggestions

[dchilders]

Hey all!

I've got an almost-four mo. old female who's been a learning, but very rewarding experience so far. My only other *personal* doggy was a golden retriever when I was 15 (33 now, yikes!), who was easily and graciously trained. My family has had many dogs while I was growing up.

Had just a tiny bit of tense, belly growling with Duchess initially, but it was tied to the (HER) futon and me trying to move her. I quickly nipped that in the bud (NO! and pop collar), and have seen the light when it comes to where she's going to be allowed to hang out. No more furniture for her!

I'd never lay a finger on her, but use plenty of positive reinforcement, treats and love to train/condition her. So far, she's almost perfect with sit, stay, and almost has down. This is *without* distractions of course.

She will be starting group basic class Feb 19th. I'm very excited to show her off (she's sooo smart, of course!) and am anticipating working hard and reaping the rewards of working through distractions (other dogs, people, etc.).

She's getting plenty of human socialization, and *some* doggy socialization, but only recently received her 3rd parvo shot. So far she is well-behaved (albeit a tad excited) around her peers.

The question I have is regarding her COME command. Of course, she is almost perfect when we train in the house, or any other low-distraction area. She's about 50% (pretty good, I think) when outside hanging out in the yard, etc.

BUT, sometimes she gets into something, or finds a treasure, and actually runs away from me, knowing *full-well* that I want her to COME. I am very liberal with any treasures she finds, allowing her to have whatever she finds, barring funky smells, dangerous items, etc. She has no problem letting me have *any* of her finds/toys, as I look it over, give it the OK and give it back.

Also, she's started a testing phase, where she won't come on the first, second or third COME command. I often have to walk over to retrieve her, at which point she pops up and runs inside or wherever I am directing her. Of course, I am *very* careful not to have her associate COME with displeasure/fear/pain, whatever. Even when *most* aggravated, I keep my game face and praise her when she finally comes.

Sooo, how should I deal with this *correctly*? It's embarrasing and poor behaviour (for me and her) to chase her around the yard (NOT running, calmly walking), trying "COME" multiple times until I can catch her. Also, the issue with her lying somewhere and not coming until I physically walk over to her is troublesome.

To be honest, she's doing *very* well with COME, and is about 65-70% with it (average inside/out). I'd just like to nip this rebellious behaviour now, and educate myself with the proper technique. I know full well that she's a pup, and doesn't have a great attention span, but I need a better technique, I think.

I computer-program from the house, and have my eye on her 24/7, which allows me ample time to observe all of her nuances (and dwell excessively on them hehe).

Of course, *any* other suggestions would be *most* welcome! I am absolutely committed to raising/socializing her to the best of both our abilities.

Whew! sorry for the book! I could talk for hours LoL

Thanks in advance for your guidance.


David

[RottiMomCT]

To proof the "Come" command, put her on a long lead (20-30 ft) and call her to you. If she does not come, gently pull the lead towards you and she should follow...when she does, praise her.

Being smart in the house regarding knowing commands and doing it all out in a new setting is SUCH a different thing! I tell people that is we had an obedience trial at our dog school, Ben just might score a perfect 200 as he is VERY comfortable in that setting. Out of class, we entered a fun match, and it seemed like everything he knew went out the window!

If she will not 'Come' on the 1st command, she shouldn't be off leash unless you know the area she is in is safe of icky stuff.

At 4 months old, enjoy her puppyness, but also let her know that you're not about to put up with any of her 'crap'!! By you chasing her around the yard when she will not come, she thinks it's a game, and will continue doing it!

[alexav]

It sounds like your doing really well for your pup. Classes are a great idea and in all honesty not an option.

The reason you're having problems with your come command is that you are teaching her that "Come" is an invitation, not a command. She needs to know that not only will there be something wonderful waiting for her when she gets to you but that it's not for her to decide IF she feels like responding or not.

Also, when you chase her, it is developing a dangerous habit so that needs to stop NOW.

When I teach "come", I always have a line on the dog so I can enforce the facts that (1) I will only call once so pay attention (2) You will get something wonderful and I will be SO excited when you get to me and (3) If you ignore me, you will get a little bit of a surprise....A firm tug on the collar but then I will be there to help you run to me and reward you.

I like to play "catch me quick!". I call "Come!" in a very happy voice and then run backwards away from the pup holding that special toy or tempting treat in my hands in front of me and down by my knees. The puppy has to tag ME first, I don't stop and reach out to the pup or they may develop that "last second side step"that is SO frustrating. They get the reward and LOTS of excitement. When they see me running away, it makes them want to speed up because they think I might just be too fast for them and they will miss out on the goodies.

Your goal is to have your puppy respond with the same amount of joy when they hear the command "Come" that a human might experience when they hear the phrase "FREE MONEY!!!":D

One last note: Don't practice too much! Leave them wanting more. That way, they won't get bored and will be happy and ready for the next session. I hate to see someone call thier dog and have it walk slowly to them in a way that says, "I really don't want to but if I don't I'll get in trouble". I want to see a dog that speeds happily to owner like "WOW! He said that COME word! Yippee! Here I come!"

[Rottnlove]

Rottimom, that was PERFECT advice! I've been reading about the basic commands lately. Puppies can get distracted VERY easily, so we have to find the best way to deal with that. It Definitely helps to understand why your puppy is doing what it's doing. Sometimes, if you can try to put yourself in your puppies situation, (try to imagine being a puppy and being full of energy in this new place) sometimes you can better understand what's going on in the puppies mind. I think you'll find it helps with patience and training! :p Sounds like you have a very happy little pup!:D

[Rottnlove]

Alexav posted before I had a chance to read her response!:p
She definitely knows her training well! I have met her 2 dogs and they're very well behaved in EVERY way! :D

[dchilders]

Hey, thanks for the great advice!

I *will* definitely work with the "run backwards with treat come" thingy. I've been working on the "side-step" deal, and this will help with that too. Alexav's point about being excited to come hit home. She *has* started "moping" over sometimes...I will work on making it more of a desireable event.

The "chase" was kinda funny...I upturned a water-filled cooler, complete with baby frogs and a VERY *slimy* piece of cardboard that smelled like...ummm...phew, I dunno, like *nasty*.

*Of course* she fell in love with the cardboard, and when I turned my back had nabbed it and briskly walked away to hunker down with it. My first, second and third "come" commands were ignored, and I walked around the house where she had gone. Another set of "come" (tried excited, stern, loving...nada), then approached her at a walk. Soon's I got to her, she popped up and ran away to a new hunker bunker. Again, set of "come", walk to make sure she new I was serious, again popped up and ran to a new locale.

Needless to say, I was finally able to get close enough to get her by the collar and lead her back to the house and inside. She plopped down abject on the kitchen floor, acting like I'd just RUINED EVERYTHING! LoL

I let her off-lead when I'm doing stuff around the house outside, never letting her get our of my view. It's these times that she is troublesome about coming. Maybe she's getting *too* much freedom, too early?

I like her to have some off-lead time with me, just "hanging out", which I guess is actually working on the "come" command off-lead. Maybe she's still too young to get it...

Anyhow, again I've yakked and yakked.

Thanks *much* for the helpful advice. I have read *all* of the behaviour forum, and have noted all of your posts as knowlegeable and sensigble.

Thanks much...Gotta run, but I'm *sure* to read/post more later this eve.


David

[DixieGrl113]

I like the running backwards idea! Makes sense. Since I don't have anyone to teach "come" to now that they're older, I'll have to wait for the next one to try it out. :D

[alexav]

Originally posted by dchilders
I let her off-lead when I'm doing stuff around the house outside, never letting her get our of my view. It's these times that she is troublesome about coming. Maybe she's getting *too* much freedom, too early?

I like her to have some off-lead time with me, just "hanging out", which I guess is actually working on the "come" command off-lead. Maybe she's still too young to get it...
David

Glad to help! I feel I must stress a couple of points though...
If you give a command, and are unable to enforce that command, you are teaching your dog to ignore you. So, if you don't have a leash or long line on your pup, don't even use the word "come".

I like to use a few different lengths of clothes line sized nylon cord. 6 feet for in the house, 30 feet for the training field, and 15 feet for the yard. This is nice slippery stuff so it glides through the grass and weeds but you ALWAYS need to be watching her when she is on a line. You don't have to hold onto the line, just keep track of the end of it in case you need to gain control.

I raise my pups thinking that there is always some sort of a line from them to me. They drag it as they play and sort of forget that it is there. That's what I want! :) (My mom always had me believing she had eyes in the back of her head too! LOL)

IMPORTANT:Unless she has something poisonous in her mouth, (which she shouldn't if you are puppy proofing your house and yard like you should) DO NOT CHASE HER to take something "fun" away from her. I promise you that if you do, you will find yourself the owner of an adult "Snack 'n' Dash"!
If she has her line on and does pick up something undesirable as pups are want to do... You have the control to teach her to "Out" or "drop it".

Lastly, after a training session, please don't take her line off and play chase, wrestle and "help wild puppy!". Remember, you don't want to teach her the difference between on line and off. Incorporate play in your training sessions to the point where she forgets where training starts and play ends because it is ALL FUN! :D

[alexav]

Originally posted by DixieGrl113
I like the running backwards idea! Makes sense. Since I don't have anyone to teach "come" to now that they're older, I'll have to wait for the next one to try it out. :D

Why wait? It's a great way to add some speed to those "older dogs". FUN too!:D

[maryh]

boy, the running backward and the "tag me first" tips are great!
Lurch thinks this is a brand new game and he is just racing back to me.....when i start backing up, with his treat. thank you. thank you.

[dchilders]

Thanks alexav!

I'm *definitely* not doing this part right. She's surely getting mixed or wrong signals from me, and you're right, I may be training her (inadvertently) the difference btwn on- and off-lead...She does *great* ON-lead...

I can tell b/c of the way she looks at me when she's *not* coming...It's that "I know what you want, but ya ain't gonna get it"...I *absolutely* need to get a handle on this, quick!! And I *will*!!!

I s'pose I'm gonna head down to Lowe's or HD and git me some line and a clip or two, and leave these on at all times when "hanging around" the yard or whatnot.

As usual, many thanks:)


David

[alexav]

Good for you!

If you do your line work correctly, your pup will never know exactly how long the line is and you will find yourself almost never having to pick the end. In a few months she can just wear a "tab". 6" of cord doubled up with a knot or two for easy grip.

Don't get overly confident in her too soon. And please don't ever take chances in an unfenced area. No matter how well a dog is trained, there is always a chance that something completely irresistable will cause your dog to lose his mind and give chase. That's how accidents happen and we won't even go there...:(

[palepeople]

Alexav,
I've read the posts and don't know if I understood you correctly regarding the line. Do you leave the line on 24/7 when young? You mentioned they drag it when they play and then forget it is there. So I assume you have the line on full-time when outside, and maybe a smaller one on when inside...right? I need the clarification as my youngster is 3 months and does well with 'come' so far, but the line thing sounds right-on-target, and I will have to go get some lines it looks like.:) Thanks, Adam.

[Caesarsmom]

Excellent advice from both Rottimom and alexav. Our training school advocates the use of different lengths of lines also. It's true.....the dog will be down to just a leather tab after what seems to be a short amount of time, IF you remain consistent. Good luck with your pup, David.

[alexav]

Originally posted by palepeople
Alexav,
I've read the posts and don't know if I understood you correctly regarding the line. Do you leave the line on 24/7 when young? You mentioned they drag it when they play and then forget it is there. So I assume you have the line on full-time when outside, and maybe a smaller one on when inside...right? I need the clarification as my youngster is 3 months and does well with 'come' so far, but the line thing sounds right-on-target, and I will have to go get some lines it looks like.:) Thanks, Adam.

The pup should NEVER be left unattended with the line on. They could get tangled and be injured or they could eat the line. I am a firm believer in crating so when I have a pup around the house, if I am not watching, exercising or training(MUCH of the time), the pup is crated. When the pup comes out of the crate, an approptiate length line is attached.

Hope this clears up any questions?:)