Please Help! My dog won't come when she's called

Coleendubh · 05-16-2006

Please, please, please can someone help me!? My family and I are going spare! We have a border collie called Meg and she'll be a year old next month. She's usually pretty obedient with most things but she doesn't come when she's called. She knows her name but appears to be defiant, especially when it comes to leaving the park. She just doesn't want the fun to end. My dad spent 40 minutes in the park last night trying to get her to come to him so he could put her lead on to take her home and we just can't let this go on any longer. We're also worried about her running off towards the road outside the park. My mum spends most of the time with her and promises that she's been consistent when it comes to rewarding the good behaviour and ignoring the bad.

Does anyone have any other ideas?? :?

Ranger · 05-16-2006

I am working with a certified dog trainer on this same issue. I have a Siberian Husky which is a breed which really should not be allowed to run off leash.

I work with my trainer in a completely enclosed agility area. So, if my dog runs off, he cannot get too far. There is no chance that he will be hit by a car.

My trainer has me run away from my dog, while my dog is on a long training leash (about a 50 foot leash). When I am about 20 feet away from my dog, I am instructed to call his name. He then races to find me and to catch up with me. As I have only just started this kind of training, I don't know how effective it will eventually be. But, perhaps you could also consider using a professional trainer? It will probably be the right decision in the end.

Bye, and good luck!

joan656 · 05-21-2006

My dog behaved well in my fenced in back yard but not where things were more interesting, like the front yard. A training book I had said to call the dog and if it did not respond to throw your keys near the dog rear to startle it. After a few times the dog should respond by just jingleing the keys. If all else fails get an electronic training collar, they are well worth the money.

Mayor_McCheese · 07-10-2006

I use a combinaton of whistle and calling my dogs name and then give them a treat. As soon as is whistle i call her name when she comes she gets a treat. If I think she is going to run around to the point that I'll have problems catching her, I'll just let her run around with her leash on. She still might run but it might be easier to catch her with the leash on.

AnniePot · 07-21-2006

Have you always made a big point of praising your dog when she HAS come?

Also, have you ever called your dog to come to you so that you could repremand her for something she had done?

If you have ever done that, your dog could now be associating coming to you with punishment.

I suggest you go to your pet store and buy a 50 ft leash. Attach this to your dog's collar and let her run in the park. Frequently take hold of the end of the leash and gently reel in your dog, praising her ALL the time. When you reach your dog praise her extensively, verbally and with lots of pats. Give her a particularly nice treat.

NEVER make the mistake of making your dog come to you to be repremand or punish her, even if she's been leading you a dance for hours. Make her realize that coming to you is a good thing.

opokki · 07-22-2006

If coming when called ends the fun than you maybe unintentionally teaching her NOT to come. To avoid this its a good idea to call the dog to come randomly without ending the fun. Call her, praise and/or give treats and then release her to go back to what she was doing. Do this frequently in a variety of locations.

vinstr · 08-17-2006

always give her treats when she does come and tons of praise, as a previous posted said. I always keep treats in my car at the park and as soon as we get back to the car and they jump in, they get treats so now when we get to the parking lot, they go right to the car, knowing whats inside...And also, if she just will not come, try running away from her and many times they will then run after you as they think its a game when you are chasing them.

akia · 08-30-2006

I use a combinaton of claps and calling my dogs name and then give them a treat. As soon as is claps i call her name when she comes she gets a treat. If I think she is going to run around to the point that, She still might run but it might be easier to catch her with the leash on.

Benji_mybaby · 09-08-2006

Hi All,

Giving treat to babies is the simple way of telling them, that they did well.

Benji.

QuietMutt · 09-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benji_mybaby

Hi All,

Giving treat to babies is the simple way of telling them, that they did well.

Benji.

I think I'll have to go back to this with Sunny. One step at a time.