Posted by:  Swarl, etc. Date:   Jan 2, 200

Subject: Teaching a dog to 'Come'

swarl Never play chase. They WIN. Tue Jan 2, 2007 20:45 216.66.117.127 Its their fave game and you lose. Yes, you do have an adolescent, but you have also lost the command 'come'. This command is the hardest to get 100%, so don't beat yourself up. HEre are a couple of suggestions. First, start training 'come' back at the beginning. In the house. On lead. Delishus treats of an unusually smelly nature that are given only for 'come' when it is combined with sit and a hand all around her collar. don't necessarily 'catch' her. Just make it clear that 'come' involves, sitting and being touched. Verry verrry important. Next, do that outside ONLY when you can absolutely be sure that she will come OR you can make her come. Still great unusual treats. Long leads are great. Do Not under any circumstances make a move that looks like a catch or grab. Keep your cool. 'Come' will reappear in her vocabulary. She hasn't forgotten it. She just doesn't think you mean it. I think this 'forgetfulness' occurs several times over a dog's life. Finally,(this is not related to 'come' really, just a way to get a dog to understand that a closed door is undesirable), if she continues to sit outside the door and out of reach. Open the door. Ask her if Her Ladyship Might Deign to Come Inside for High Tea. (Victorian English is a great training aid). (also, you have not used the word 'come' which you cannot enforce in this situation) Waft the Wonderful Treat about and then firmly shut the door and eat it yourself where she can see you.. (Roast beef from the deli counter does great here). Leave the door. Get invisible. Wait a few short minutes. Open the door and repeat the Formal Invitation to her Royal Highness. It should work like a charm. ............................ Bauer's Mom Re: Sophomore Rebellion? Tue Jan 2, 2007 20:41 74.119.56.101 Bauer is only 5 months and does the exact same thing! I've begun opening the patio door and walking away like I'm going somewhere more intersting and he usually comes in. If that doesn't work, a yummy treat will usually entice him. ......................... Valerie,Abby & Coco Beans Try treats. Give her a smell or taste before she goes out . Tue Jan 2, 2007 20:36 69.156.31.51 When you want her to come in show her the treat. .................... Annie I can relate to this Tue Jan 2, 2007 22:07 74.114.33.107 Our dood started not coming into the house when called and also started a bit of digging in the backyard which is something we never had to deal with before. I tried once to catch him, but he quickly made a fool of me by dashing in circles around me while I made some clutzy attempts to grab him. (I think I heard him laughing at me). So we began to take him out on a leash. We let him do his business and then brought him back in the house. No more freedom. It was a real pain because the weather is damp and cold and it was much easier to just let him out himself, but we stuck with it and boy, did he get the message. Sometimes they just need to be reminded of who is in charge. He became alot more agreeable and now if he refuses to come in, I just put him back on the leash for a day or so to remind him of his manners ......................... Sue G and Doc She wants you to come out and play Wed Jan 3, 2007 23:42 69.119.113.141 with her. Try the dried chicken strips--no dog can resist them. My dog thinks the house is called "CHICKEN!" .......................... patty..rusty & abby's mom Treats are probably the best idea, but if Thu Jan 4, 2007 06:25 67.84.68.96 you need her in a hurry, and the treat doesn't work..run out in the yard like your playing, get her to chase you, then run in the house. She should follow. The other "emergency" measure is run into the yard like your playing, then plop down on the ground... When this works, she should come to engage you, and you can grap her. Both these things were told to me as ways to get dogs who were not coming, but were in a nonfenced, dangerous area (ie street.) Good luck!! : )