Come Command

[tanay]

Hi everyone

I have trained Alfie to do some tricks for his toys and treats, which he's picked up really quickly. He mastered sit and give paw in one hour. Now he'll do it on command, and is very good at listening. I've also taught him down, dance, crawl, and gentle. I'm having more difficult with the come command. He knows his name, and whenever I or anyone else say his name in different tones, he always reacts. Alfie does come on occasion when I call him, but when we are outside its a different story- more distractions. I've tried everything, but he's just too stubborn, and would rather finish eating his slugs and worms than come to me (even with his favourite toys).

Any tips?

Thanks
Tanya and Alfie

[mechi]

When you're outside with him always take along something yummy, whether it's some cheese, sausage or whatever you know your dog really likes. When he's outside with you give a little taste of it so he knows you have something good. Then let him wander off (I'm assuming you're in a closed in yard). Call his name to get his attention, say the command for come and show him the yummy treat. Keep doing this and in time his response will be automatic and you can eliminate the food. By the way you don't need to give him big bits, just little tiny nibbles will be enough to get him running to you.

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[RyleighsMommy]

I am going to try and start teaching ryleigh how to come and how to sit pretty..hahaha i sit him pretty outside sometimes and he looks at me like i am crazy...hahaha gotta love it

[shelby]

i click my fingers when i want shelby to come to me she does and when she walks up to me she sticks her feet out then she walks on her 2back feet

[megnel02]

Bailey comes to me when I clap my hands. Then i give her a treat. she is such a smart little girl

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Sherman won't come unless he wants to. We have to work on that. I just bought a new training book and hope it will be of help.
What a stubborn little scamp! I can't even tempt him with a treat half the time. : (

[lois123]

lois comes speedin like a little white bullet when i call her name or "stinky" :D i think is mostly my voice bcause if someone else calls her anything other than lois she will not come! w/other ppl she comes n LOOKS at them but does not go near them :)

[Ankhesenpaaten]

I am really getting frustrated with Sherman and the "come" command. I know he understands me and he will literally stay right out of reach and look at me then at the treat in my hand, and still not come. I have then lured him into his caged area by putting treats in there and then closing him in for a few minutes for a time out.
I don't know what else to do. Nothing works that I try. He will only come when HE wants to and that is one thing I do not want to tolerate in him.
Any ideas? I really really want to be able to rely on him to come to me when we call him in the future. It could save his life someday.

[tanay]

Your sherman sounds a lot like my Alfie. I'm taking alfie to obedience classes in the beginning of October, and I hope this can help with his habit of not coming on command.

A lot of people suggest starting the come command with your dog on a leash, and pulling the leash towards you and a toy/treat after you say the command. What I started doing (and it seems to work a bit), I show alfie a treat, and then I tell him to stay, and walk slowly backwards. Then if he stays, I tell him to come, and he usually does. He's def not perfect, but h'es getting better!

Good luck with Sherman

[mechi]

Ankhesenpaaten, he's not responding to the treats because it doesn't result in something good but in punishment, he gets locked in his cage. Coming to you should always be associated with a good thing, that's the only way to ensure that he will come to you everytime. So anytime your dog responds by coming to you, reward him, it could be with some playtime, he gets to sit on your lap, get a treat, anything that you know he likes. Whenever my chi comes to me I act as if I'm so happy to see her, and she's usually good at responding when I call her.

To encourage your dog to come you, try to get his curiosity going, pick something up in your hand and wave it around so that he will want to come over and check out what the fuss is about.

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[Ankhesenpaaten]

Thanks, mechi, but I just locked him in for the first time today. I've been trying to get him to "come" for weeks and he's never been punished before. He always got a treat and praise and petting or play. I had hoped this would encourage him to begin to "come" on a regular basis when called but it hasn't happened. And he's never been punished for anything at all. We only use positive reinforcement. It was only reluctantly I tried the caged area today. (Sigh)
I wonder if maybe I should begin with regular session with a long leash? I really don't know what else to try. Thanks, tho! Your idea about a mystery object in hand is a great idea. I think I'll try that tomorrow and see if I can tempt the little guy. : )

[2Chiwawa]

Both Tanya and Mechi have good suggestions about positive reward only and the leash.

I read about using the leash in the house. One book said to put the puppy on a leash and tie the leash to your belt loop. Then the puppy was with you all the time. Every few minutes you were supposed to give the come command and gently lead the puppy right to your ankle and give a small treat.

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Ah, that sounds like a great idea, with the leash and leading him gently. I tried with the mysterious object and getting excited about it...but the little guy just sat a few feet away and stared at me. He still would not come. I've tried numerous times and he still won't.
You know, I had a thought. I wonder if it is because we have just begun opening up more space for him to roam in our home and he is afraid of losing it. He adores us and we are always kind to him and love him almost to a fault, so it isn't that he dislikes or distrusts us. I wonder if it is the "adding to his space" thing?

[Bev&Casey]

This is a great thread. First of all I love the name Lois! We have a cat named Debra-Faye, but Lois is a gem.

Casey will not come when she's called. It's so frustrating. I have to admit it never occured to me to take treats outside with us. She always goes potty in our bathroom (unless she's pooping on the carpet..) and she gets treats then. We have just given up and tell her STOP when we need her. Then we have to walk over to her and pick her up.
These have been good tips and I think I'll try again. It's so frustrating sometimes. Especially when she wants up on the bed and won't come closer.
Lois Lois Lois - I love it!

[2Chiwawa]

She always goes potty in our bathroom (unless she's pooping on the carpet..)

It's so frustrating sometimes. Especially when she wants up on the bed and won't come closer.

Lois Lois Lois - I love it!

Hi Bev, LOL that Casey uses the potty - UNLESS she is using the carpet. Not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you. Happy manages to squirt his pee past the edge of the pee pee pad holder...

Don't you go nuts when they dance away and stay just out of reach when they don't want to come.

You know what happens when you have a good pet name just waiting there...Someone is gonna find you!