Problem's with HERE Command

[Rockblind]

I am having issues that when I issue the command HERE when the pup is off leash, example in the house and or backyard. She sits and looks at me. I try and praise her telling her she is a good girl to get her to come to me. No luck sometimes. If I make a move in her direction she goes into a gallop running all over the place figuring it is a game. Any suggestions? Usually I will walk away and when she is calmed down I put the leash on her

Thanks RB

[Lucky Rescue]

She sits and looks at me. I try and praise her telling her she is a good girl to get her to come to me

NEVER try and teach recall to a dog off leash. She obviously doesn't know what the command means. By trying to teach her to come while off leash, you are teaching her she doesn't have to come to you, especially if you're telling her she's a good girl for NOT coming.

You cannot let her off leash until she comes reliably. Get a very long line - like a lightweight nylon clothesline and let her run around. Then call her, and give her 3 seconds to comply, then reel her in. This will teach her what the word means. Immediately let her go play again, while keeping the end of the rope within reach. If a dog learns that "come" always means the end of playtime and fun, they will be reluctant to come.

When she does come to you on her own, praise like crazy and even give a treat, throw a ball for her, etc. Once she learns that coming when called means treats, praise and toys, she'll be more eager to comply.

As to your other post, I highly recommend obedience classes!

[Lissa]

Don't let her off until you know she is going to come to you. Have you tried giving praise and treats when she comes?

As a puppy, I kept my dog on a leash a lot and bought a long line for practicing outside.

Try to make youself really fun and exciting so she wants to come to you.

How old is she?

Do not ask her to come when you know she is not going to listen to you. For my dog, I started using "this way" or "let's go" (in conjuction with hand signals). So it wasn't really a command. But to be with me, he had to follow. I also use the word "close", if I want him near me but don't expect him to heel or come and sit in front of me. I find a lot of people say "here" or "come" liberally without really enforcing it or meaning it. "Come" means to come right close and sit in front of you.

If your pup is ignoring you, she might not understand the command. But in any case, she needs to be on-leash so you can "enforce" the command and show her what to do.

[ILoveMutts!]

This is what I've been doing to teach Leon to come: I put him in a sit/stay using a cookie as lure, walk to a distance and then say come. He always obeys when there's a cookie involved but I haven't been as successful without a lure and/or in the presence of distractions.

[StaceyB]

I won't repeat what has been already said. I would get enrolled in a positive training class so you will have an experienced trainer to help and guide you to success.

[LoNScamp]

I have made come a game with my dogs. As soon as I get them I start by bending my knees a bit, putting a big smile on my face, calling thier name in a really upbeat manner and had "hitting" the front of my legs in rapid succession and giving them tons of praise when they reach me. It has proven most successful, it doesn't matter what they are doing they will stop and come with their tails wagging. With Lola I don't need to say come, as soon as I start to hit the front of my legs she comes. It used to be a real game with Kaos and I, she would be in front of me I would call her name and start hitting my knees and she would come running back with a doggies smile on her face and her tail moving a mile a minute. I always do this at least a half dozen times on a walk. I don't use treats when working with dogs other than to teach leave, so the praise and petting is enough.

This process also helps to teach them to come when it is said in a normal tone of voice. If by chance they hesitate, I will use now or here to reinforce it which doesn't happen too often.

I would never let a dog off leash unless I knew thier recall was solid. One of the most important things to remember when teaching recall is never ask your dog to come to you if you are going to do something the dog doesn't like i.e. cutting its nails, putting it in a crate before you leave etc. Go and get the dog in these instances. Come should always be a positive thing.

[Rockblind]

Well I have signed up for Obedience training. That starts on the 26th of Oct. As far as the here commands goes, I could bend down and give alot of praise, she will sit there and look at me! Not all the time but from time to time.
Hopefully at my first class I will bring that up as a problem I am facing.

[StaceyB]

Thats great. I am sure they will cover come in the class but you may want to ask anyway.