Training recall (come) command off leash

I am having difficulty with training my 7 month old puppy to come when called off leash. We're in obedience school right now and we've done the correction on leash and tried treats, but nothing has seemed to work. She has a long lead and that's fine, it seems as though she knows when the lead is removed and she'll sit/stay until I call her to come; she hesitates and runs. Any suggestions. I don't know if it matter or not that she's a pitbull, I don't think that it is be a breed specific problem, as pitbulls are very good for obedience (unless you read the paper!!! lol) ;)

I'm wondering if the word 'come ' has turned into a game for the dog now.

Have her learn a 'new word' like 'here'

Long lead is a great idea, use the word 'here' when you want her to come to you, draw her close to you and reward her.

If you have someone else that can help you what you do is have treats in both your hands. Stand 10 feet apart at first then work up to 20 feet then 30 feet.


She starts off with one person having her sit beside them (heel position)
The other person calls her name and says 'here'

When she comes to them, she is told to sit and gets a treat, good girl praise kind of stuff.

Next persons turn to call her *her name* then *HERE*

Repeat with sit and treat, good girl praise

Do this several times in a session until she gets used to the word 'here' as meaning 'come' and good things happen!

I would discontinue using the word come as she's probably now grown to know to ignore it. Try 'here ' in that method for awhile...slowly working up to further distances.

Then try it with only one person, throw her a ball she'll run for it then when she gets it call her by saying her name then 'HERE"

AND remember to always reward her when she's learning like this :D

I hope this helps and let me know if you give it a try.

Definitely try what Luba said but also remember if she was responding and no longer is, she may be testing you during her adolescent stage. Oliver has definitely been a boneheaded teenager of late with recall being excellent one day and completely ignored the next. When the recall drops, back a step to the long line and not letting him off leash entirely..... Oh, the joys of being a puppy mom..... :rolleyes:

Michelle

Great point :D

She has a long lead and that's fine, it seems as though she knows when the lead is removed and she'll sit/stay until I call her to come; she hesitates and runs. Any suggestions. I don't know if it matter or not that she's a pitbull

I'm thinking it IS a pit bull thing. My dog is the same way. She will stop on a dime and come racing back to me if she is on any lead, no matter how long. Once off lead, she totally ignores me when I call her. The only exception is when she knows I have cookies - LOL!

She did great in obedience school, and knows all her commands very well. I can put her in a 'sit/stay" and walk quite far from her and she won't move. She is excellent with heeling, etc. Other pittie owners I've spoken to have the same problem with the off leash thing.

I was told to get a very long nylon rope, like a clothesline and let her roam but hold the end of the rope. Then call her, give her 2 seconds to comply then reel her in. I admit I haven't done this yet.

Pit bulls are very smart, easy to train and eager to please. I just think they feel it's much more fun NOT to come and know very well we can't make them when they are off lead.:p

Little buggers....hehe...