Come!

[BoxerBella]

I don't know why this is, but at 8 months, Bella still doesn't quite get the concept of 'come' when called. She learned all her other commands so easily (it almost seemed like we didn't even need to teach her to 'stay', she just knew from the start what it meant) but 'come'? Sigh...

She does know what it means- at least when we're in the house, most of the time. She sort of knows what it means when we're at the off leash park up the road- kinda. If I tell her to sit, stay, then I walk away, and call 'come!' she barrells towards me, then veers away at the last second and runs in wide circles around me until she feels like stopping, which is highly, highly annoying, LOL. I've known dogs to do this before when they associate coming when called with being put back on leash and fun time being immediately over, but I've never done this with Bella so I don't know why she avoids me. She does get CRAZY excited at the park so maybe that's why?

If anyone could help me with this issue, I'd VERY much appreciate it! We're going to the park in an hour or so, after our breakfast settles. Sunday at the park would be so much better if she'd LISTEN to me! lol Also, this is will be my first time taking her to the park off leash by myself- usually bf comes with us but he's working all day today and Bella reeeaaalllllyyyy needs to burn off some puppy energy.

[fjones]

I would never go off leash out in public without a reliable recall.....too dangerous. We trained with a long 20 - 30 ft leash with come comand. At least she doesn't have the option to run circles, or I called it (teasing me). We went through the same thing.

[Nicole]

The most important thing is to not set her up for failure. That's what you're doing each time you say 'come' and she doesn't and/or you have to repeat yourself :)

She doesn't kinda know anything...she knows it or she doesn't. Until she knows the word, use 'here' or 'let's go' or 'leaving' and practice the hell out of 'come' at home and outside.

She's running past you because somehow it's become a game. Whether you've chased after her once, stood their repeating come come come like a loon, SOMEthing...it's been made a fun game.

BEFORE you are ready to leave the park and at some calm moment, clip her leash on. Practice a few 'come's before you go. Also invest in a long line (or you can use a 25' length of rope or clothesline).

At home outside, put her on the long line and clip some treats to your waist (cloth nail aprons are really handy for this!). Walk around, let her get to the end of the line and then stop (you). Say BELLA COME, firmly and one time. If she doesn't listen, start to reel her in like a fish. When she gets to you, put her in a sit, in front of you. Release with an 'OHkay' and treat.

In the house, use her leash (so you can grab it if need be). Put her in a stay (if she knows that) and walk about 10' from her. Face her, say BELLA COME, firmly and once. Sort of bend at your waist and put on a happy face. As she's getting to you, stand tall, when she's right in front of you put her in a sit (timing is something you may need to practice). Touch her collar, release and treat. If she tries to run past you, step on her leash, pick it up, walk her back to where you had her in a stay and start again.

The purpose of having them sit when you call 'come' is to end the running around you. Come can be used in dangerous situations...darting towards the road, etc. You don't want them to halfway listen to the command and go right back to the danger zone. ;)

The purpose of touching her collar before you release her is because as soon as she's used to that, you're going to practice clipping her leash on before you release her. :) That solves the getting hyper because the leash is going on and taking off running.

If any of this is confusing, let me know ;) Sometimes it's not as easy to type what you could show someone...if you get me.

[Nicole]

And agreed...if you aren't inside the fenced area of the dog park, she's not permitted off lead. Ever. Until she is 100% reliable on 'come'. And don't over use it. 'COME' means business! Use another word 'house', 'inside' when it's a simple matter of coming in from going potty, etc.

[BoxerBella]

Thanks, guys... it is most definitely a fenced dog park- I wouldn't let her off lead otherwise! There's only one opening in the fence around the whole field and we stay well away from that area. Still, it's a worry sometimes.

And Nicole... I think you're right about standing there repeating "come come come" like a loon... Yeah, that sounds a little familiar, haha. Mental note- stop doing that :)

We did have a long retractable leash at one point, until bf broke it :( Ok, I shouldn't blame it on him, that's not fair . He was running with Bella, not paying attention to where he was going and managed to get the leash wrapped around the ONE little tree in the field- now it doesn't retract anymore :( So sad because I got it super cheap when a pet supply store was going out of business and selling stuff for up to 70% off. Le sigh.

Anyway, maybe before we go to the park I'll hop over to the mall to buy a new one- I need it anyway and that way we'll be able to work on her recall and she'll still get to have exercise, plus it'll make me feel much better since I won't have to worry about the break in the fence!

Thanks for the speedy responses! Ya'll are great :)

[Nicole]

Notice I didn't say retractable leash ;) That's not what you need and they're junk besides. I wish those stupid things had never been invented. What if your bf had not been in a field but on a sidewalk next to the street? There isn't enough control with those retractable leashes and they aren't meant to be used for anything other than a dog that walks well on lead...no training exercises!

If you have a pet store on the way, get a long line. They'll be with the cotton leashes. They normally come rolled up in a cellophane package and come in different lengths. 20 or 25 feet will do you well.

[BoxerBella]

LOL I guess they are kinda junk. We never used ours on the street, just in open areas away from traffic. I'll see if I can find a long line instead. It's clouding over now so we may get rained (or snowed! ugh!) out anyway :(

[Nicole]

I could go on and on and on and ON about why I hate those stupid things. They're useless. :)

Put on a coat and go! Don't punk out! lol