Training Puppy To Come When Called

[yduj]

At what age would you expect a puppy to come when called, even if it is playing with other dogs in the park ?

[woofgang]

Depends on how it has been trained beforehand....also they may learn recall, as littlies then it will get wobbly during adolescence. Why do you ask?

[chris552]

Don't worry too much until he is 6 months old.

[woofgang]

wrong chris, you start training recall in a pup just about from the first day. At every meal, you call them is a silly high excited voice and praise and feed them when they come. As they learn to come to you when you call, you do it in the garden, then against distraction. When they are old enough to go out in public, take the dog out with some delicious treats. Either let them off lead in a totally secure area or in a very sage quiet place, keep a light trailling line on pup give it a very short while and call. If pup comes back give mega praise and treats, if pup doesn't then run in the opposite direction calling excitedly or hide and call.

Can I know why you ask?

[shoota]

If it's a spaniel - forget it......

[yduj]

My puppy is now 7 months old. We have had her since she was 8 weeks. We have trained her to come when called but she doesn't always listen, especially if she is with other dogs. I keep excusing her because she is young. My husband thinks she is just being willful.

[shoota]

Mixing with other dogs is new and exciting, you have to make the prospect of returning even more interesting and exciting than that.

[lankeela]

If she is not coming when called you need to go back to keeping her on a lead. Go back to basic training and use toys/treats to make sure she wants to come back. Try to get in first - put her on a lead and give her a reward before she sees the other dogs.

[RATTER15]

Training starts from day1, especially recall, you have had excellent advice from woofgang and Lankeela so I wont add further.

Shoota, you need to see the "working Spaniels" they are incredibly well trained at a very early age. They are excitable but they train really well with time and dedication.

[FredPuli43]

Wilful is the wrong word; it's not consciously electing a battle of wills. The dog finds what it is doing more attractive than what you are offering. You have to get it thinking, from an early age, that it is more rewarding to come on your call than not to. That's why you have to start them so young and keep at it. The dog hardly thinks; it no longer weighs up the options; when trained. If it thought back, there would have been a time when coming could be measured in physical or emotional reward against not coming, and that may not be so of the instant, but it comes anyway.

[shoota]

Lol Ratter, my sons working Cocker is lodging with us and he is incredibly well behaved for his master but is a little 'independant' with me.

[woofgang]

dogs aren't wilful. They either don't understand what you want or are distracted by something more interesting. DO NOT under any circumstances punish your dog for not coming back when called. If you miss your chance and she rushes off, don't call her, all that will teach her is that she can ignore when you call. Go and get her, cheerfully put her on the lead and calmly and cheerfully take g=her away. You won't be the first puppy owner to have to do this, there are millions of us lol.

[woofgang]

I must have watched this fifty times and it always makes me smile, especially her spaniel. Listen with the sound turned up, her commentary is brilliant.

shoota, my dogs dont work, they are GSPx weimaraner and the only person they will listen to apart from me is my sister.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8-d07-sAo0

[yduj]

Thankyou all very much.