dog training question

[bagendhens]

i just want to second what red said

"When you reward the dog for coming to you, there is no reward unless you are holding the collar. When feeding the treat to the dog, the hand feeding the treat must have the wrist touching your body. When you use this little reminder, it stops you from reaching out to the dog, it makes the dog come all the way in to you to get the food, and you can then get the collar."

make sure you have her leashed/hand on her collar BEFORE she gets that treat...

 

[Godsgrl]

Thank you both Redyre and Bagendhens. I appreciate your help, and have given me some strong advice. I will keep working with her in the way you've described, and tell the kids not to call Sweet Pea if she runs off. I see how that would ruin the command. I like the idea of keeping my wrist touching my body to give her a treat. You're right, I'm guilty of reaching over to the dog to grab her collar, etc. I didn't realize that would cause the dashing away thing.

Thank you so much.
Cheri

 

[Manok-Tao]

I will give you my input as an ex Lab breeder and trainer. granted labs are ready to please...I have no experience with your breed but............
As a rule a dog has a puppy's brain for it's first 9 months some breeds longer.
Any reputable professional trainer will not take a pup till it is 10 months old

Work your pup only a few minutes at a time.
if they don't get it right don't reward them with praise..just stop the exercise
never use a tone of voice with a pup (or dog) that is the same as the one you use when praising for a correct action
never praise, rub, pet, hug, kiss. scratch a pup (or dog) for kinda of doing it right
Consistency is the hardest part of training, try not to confuse the dog
I know they are so lovable it's hard but the more stern you are in getting the actions you want when it's a pup the more pleasant your relationship with your dog.
J

 

[Redyre Rotties]

Cheri, I bet your kids would really enjoy playing the recall game with your pup, and that will reinforce proper actions on behalf of the dog AND the kids!

The wrist-touching-the-body is handy with kids, they catch on fast, and once the pup starts running to the one calling it's fun for everyone.

Please post back in a week or so and let us know how she is doing.

 

[Anny]

try keeping treats and food in your pockets when she comes she gets treats. If she runs away turn your back and start to walk away, if you're not playing the game it wont be any fun.

Some dogs just are not good off leash though, sadly is this true about dogs who have a high pray drive...like Terriers.

 

[Manok-Tao]

no treats

 

[Crazyland]

I second the long line and the game Redyre suggested.
Don't let her off the long line until she proves her recall skills.

 

[redhen]

I say keep her on a leash at all times..(or as much as really possible..)
and call her at random times...all during the day...and give her a treat.. do this several times a day..
make a BIG fuss when she comes to you..give lots of praise..
And IF she dosent come to you RIGHT AWAY when you call her..then you MAKE her come to you..(which you will be able to do,, because she'll be on a leash!)
the IMPORTANT thing is..you HAVE have have to back up what you tell her to do..EVERY time... otherwise when you give commands they think you are a joke..

if you call her and she dosent come..then you MAKE her come...'she will learn quickly that you are serious when you tell her to come...
this is what i did with my Mastiff and he comes every single time...
now my female Saint...well...if shes in the house or yard..she will come every time..
BUT of she gets loose in the street..she has to have her little run before she comes back to me.. (the neighbors get a kick out of it.. they just think shes the bees knees.. and she has to go visit them all...

) So..she still needs work..

and even though she ran away..i STILL give her a treat when she comes to me..
and shes gotten SO much better..now i just say "Daisy want a treat..COME" "want a treat.. in the house!!.." and i rattle a treat baggie Or a deli ham package..(that works better..lol) and usually she will even come back up on the porch to the front door to be let back inside..all on her own... so shes getting better..
also..i wanted to say..the "in the house " command she knows because every time i take them for a walk..when we get in front of the house...i say "in the house Daisy..in the house!" and she knows exactly where to go, she goes right up to the front door.....so that helps get her inside also...

 

[Bluemoon420]

Quote:
The treats are only in the very beginning. Sorry, should have clarified that. You wean them off the treats after they know what you're asking of them. Our Sophie doesn't get treats anymore when she comes, she gets a favorite toy ( that she hasn't eaten LOL). Maybe once in a bluemoon she'll get a treat when she comes on command, but it isn't often now.

Bluemoon

 

[WriterofWords]

My Bella just graduated from obedience and we used the treats at the beginning and phased them out. She graduated top doggie I'm proud to say! Use a long training lead, but don't be afraid to use treats, there is nothing wrong with rewarding her for doing a good job.