Obedience

[willowgas]

Anyone know of an 'easy' way to get a four month old puppy to come when you call him, when he is being distracted by something else more exciting. Doesn't like chocolate or many more of the 'prescribed' treats. I really do not want to have to have him on a lead all the time. He will go in his bed, sit etc. but will not come when called whilst out walking.

[kita1]

Normal chocolate is poisonous to dogs so please DO NOT give chocolate as a treat (unless it is special dog chocolate from the pet shop).

The only 'easy' way to get a four month old pup back is make yourself more exciting than what is distracting him!

To a four month old the world is a big, exciting place and everything needs exploring (and tasting!).

The only sure fire way of getting a recall is on a lead or long line (a washing line will do, tie knots in it every foot or so, then you can stand on it and it will not slide under your foot). Keep calling him back, praise him and 'release' him again, if the long line is long enough he will not even realise he is on it. You will not have to do this for ever, just until your pup gets less inquisitive, and more responsive to you.

He will grow up very fast and will soon learn. At least you know you have a confident and outgoing pup!! Just make sure that all his experiences are good and he cannot get into trouble, things like bees and even adders (especially in this weather and in heathland areas) can be very tempting to puppies.

Good luck, enjoy your pup whilst he is still young, they grow up all too fast!

[GypsyGSD]

I agree with kita the only way to get him back is to be more fun, you can start this in your home and garden call him to you lots of fuss and reward then let him go again this way the dog learns to come to you for fun , when out try not to call him and put him on lead straight away during walks call him to you reward then let him go again other wise he will learn that to be called means home and at his age that not on lol good luck enjoy him

[flubber]

It depends on the breed of dog - a spaniel won't want to learn much until it is between 6-12 months old, a "heinz 57" can be quicker.

Please - no chocolate because it is poisonous. I found with my dog that laughing at her with arms extended and saying the magic word "biscuits" worked. It worked so well that she can now hear a human biscuit barrel open at 500 paces and loves rich tea biscuits. She learned that at 6 months and at 7 years has (sadly) never forgot. But at 4 months it's really too soon to get any dog learning commands - they still want to play and are learning to train humans. if you want to give a chocolate reward then get the pet shop variety that are not like the chocolates that we would enjoy.

[lankeela]

There is no 'easy' way. You are expecting too much of a four month old puppy. You must reverse the situation - when the puppy comes to you, make it exciting and reward it. Same as when it sits, then say sit and reward it, as they learn by praise, reward and repetition. The secret is not to call it when you can't enforce the recall (then you can't ever fail!).

Even serious obedience competitors teach a dog first on the lead (in fact for a long time) before they expect the dog to be totally obedient off it.

Human chocolate contains theobromine which even in small quantities is poisonous to dogs.

[happy_face]

When we did our recall training in puppy class we were shown a mini recall exercise that you can do if you're on your own.

Have puppy on a lead and stand in front of her. let him see you have treats in your hand and then walk backwards 5-10 steps (start low and build up) whilst calling "(puppy's name) come come come come" then stop, "good boy" and treat.
We were told to do this 50 times a day. Also when out for walks have a flexilead and do the recall when out walking. Most important thing is to be vocal, happy and exciting as you want puppy to come to you and not the jogger running past singing because she looks and sounds more exciting. Clap your thighs, wave your arms, shout whatever it takes to focus puppy on you.

We were told it doen't matter how many times you call as long as your dog comes back to you but you will find that with practice he will soon come on the first call.

We've been doing this for about 5months now and our puppy is excellent. We were told never to lead her off the lead unless she was 100% recall proof and although it was hard we stuck to it.
You need to take theft into consideration too, if you can't call your puppy back to you there's more chance of something happening to him especially with all this doggy theft happening at the moment.
Good luck.
As a new owner pop along to this doggy forum which has got a previous vet nurse, two qualified trainers and lots of other dog loving people. There's great advice to be found and always someone there to reassure and give a helping hand.
http://orangedog.forumup.com/index.php?mforum= orangedog

[bubbly girly]

ummmm I took a dog obediance class and I remember that you can clip a leash onto him/her and make him/her stay (if he knows how) and walk away with leash at hand just to the point where the leash stops and pull him toward you saying good come! Good luck. and ps, you don't give a dog chocolate!