2 problems... NEED ADVICE!!

**CarolynK** · 12-08-2011, 02:14 PM

Hi All,

I am looking for some advice with my soon to be 5 yr old girl lab.

The first one ... Yesterday we were in our yard where we play fetch. Usually we play for a solid 20 minutes and then she comes in with me when I ask her no problem. I had an appointment yesterday and we could only play for ten minutes ... she would not come in. I called and called. I got treats and offered them to her. She kept running away, obviously thinking it was a game. This went on for about 20 minutes in the cold rain. Finally, because I needed to get ready for my appointment I went in the house and left her in the yard. After I showered etc I went back out to get her and STILL she would not come in. I had my Dad come over to help me since I really needed to leave ... we ended up opening his car door and telling her we'd take her for a ride (which was I lie, but I was DESPERATE) The story ends with her getting her muddy paws all over my Dad's car. She doesn't do this very often, but when she does it is so frustrating. When my parents dog sit I find she pulls those shenanigans with them a lot. Normally, if we have time constraints I walk her so I don't have to deal with this situation - but it's just crazy. There has to be a way I can have more control over her behavior. Any tips???

Secondly, she is STILL jumping on people. We've tried everything. The less she seems someone, the more she is all over them. I'm really questioning getting a shock collar. Do you think this would help the jumping? Other than these two problems she is the sweetest dog in the world and the love of my life. She is actually pretty obedient other than these issues. I really need to fix these problems because we are getting another blk lab boy puppy in a few weeks. I don't want him to see her doing this and follow suit. HELPP!!!! Any advice would be SO greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Carolyn

**Sophiesmama** · 12-08-2011, 02:54 PM

Sophie won't come when called either, unless she wants to. I did the "open the car door thing" to entice her yesterday. As far as jumping on people, we keep a leash be the door. When some one comes, we leash her and make her sit by us before we open the door.

**Beerfish** · 12-08-2011, 05:16 PM

Well this won't solve the problem but now that you know the behavior if you know you have to go out at a specific time I would walk her on leash for her rec time.

**BigBrownDog** · 12-08-2011, 05:52 PM

Training for recall starts with you and a friend in your yard. You position yourselves at opposite ends of your yard and call her - when she comes she gets a very high value treat (like a bit of a hot dog or real chicken). Not her normal treat or kibble.

If that does not work then put her on a long line when in the yard. Call her and if/when she does not come to you - reel her in. Once she is next to you - celebrate (SUCH A GOOD GIRL!!!) and reward her as if she did the right thing. You need to make coming when called a really great thing!

This is one of the things people mess up on - if they can't get the dog to come when called and have to then catch the dog - they punish the dog when they do. Why would the dog want to come to the people next time it's loose? The dog does not make the connection that disobedience = punishment. They think coming to you = punishment. I'n not saying you did this - just that it is commonly done.

**Tanya** · 12-08-2011, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by BigBrownDog

Training for recall starts with you and a friend in your yard. You position yourselves at opposite ends of your yard and call her - when she comes she gets a very high value treat (like a bit of a hot dog or real chicken). Not her normal treat or kibble.

If that does not work then put her on a long line when in the yard. Call her and if/when she does not come to you - reel her in. Once she is next to you - celebrate (SUCH A GOOD GIRL!!!) and reward her as if she did the right thing. You need to make coming when called a really great thing!

This is one of the things people mess up on - if they can't get the dog to come when called and have to then catch the dog - they punish the dog when they do. Why would the dog want to come to the people next time it's loose? The dog does not make the connection that disobedience = punishment. They think coming to you = punishment. I'n not saying you did this - just that it is commonly done.

x2

I recommend an obedience class. it's never too late!

**dweck** · 12-09-2011, 08:42 AM

ABSOLUTELY TRAIN THAT RECALL!!!!

See the "Our Best Advice" sticky! Rememeber: You are never supposed to give your dog a command that she can ignore, which is exactly what you've done by calling her from 25 yards away and leaving her to carouse all over the yard.

A reliable recall starts ON LEASH and at very short distances. Also, I'm fairly sure she's learned to ignore the word COME, so I recommend you find another word for what you want and train using that instead. I use FRONT, but you could use anything -- Pumpernickle if you want -- that is clear and easy to understand.

**tammyhuffman** · 12-09-2011, 10:31 AM

Definitely advise a class or some help from a trainer, lost of excellent advice above. Recall is probably the most important thing we can teach our dogs, hopefully the new puppy will help with this as long as you start from day one teaching this correctly. Sounds like your dog is the boss, lol!

**CarolynK** · 12-11-2011, 12:19 PM

Thanks everyone. My husband and I are going to work on recall in our yard. She went to 2 training classes when she was a pup. Any suggestions for 1 on 1 trainers?

**bett** · 12-11-2011, 01:38 PM

i'm with BigBrownDog on this one.

i'd also keep her on a leash, and plan for someone to ring the bell. grab onto her, put her in a sit,stay, and don't allow anyone to greet her until she complies.
and practice, practice, practice.

**3TailsWaggin** · 12-14-2011, 12:00 AM

Sounds like you should be working her with a trainer so you can get an idea of what to do when she won't do what you want. There are many good training methods to use, and all will help her, but you need to learn them from someone before you can try them on her. And I'm not talking adversive training (like shock collars, my God, don't do that), but positive reinforcement and marking the behaviors you want, and letting her offer them to you.

I mentioned the Control Unleashed book in another thread. Buy it, read it, and get with a trainer in your area. You can also view lots of youtube videos to help you... do searches for Susan Garrett Recallers, or Clicker Training.

Here is the link for the book. Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed®, The Book

Go to YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. and do a search on some of the other videos. But you really need a trainer to help you learn the methods to use.
Training your dog should be FUN for both of you, not exasperating.