Puppy won't listen [Archive] - Chazhound Dog Forum

Dakotah_2009

06-13-2005, 12:46 PM

When I say Levi come here, he won't come. But he did it 2 days ago and now he won't. He is always barking now when he goes in his crate, but he has never done that b4 either. Can someone help me I don't know what to do!!!!!!!! Also can someone give me ANY kind of puppy advice, no matter what kind. thanks

Doberluv

06-13-2005, 07:58 PM

Be sure when you say "come" that you can enforce it. Every time he ignores your command, he further gets reinforced that he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to. Never let him off leash outside until he is reliable. Make it worth his while to come. Make coming to you better than anything else he could possibly be doing at the time. Make fun, squeely, happy noises, run the other way like a game, clap your hands, squeek or shake a toy. Don't even say, "come." Just entice him to come and give him lots of praise and TREATS....good, special treats, not your run of the mill treats. When he gets to you, insert the word, "come." Then tell him, "goooooood come." And make a party. Never ever scold in relation to come. You have to reward or nothing with this command, very important. He has to like coming to you above anything else and that isn't easy sometimes. Keep him on a long line. You can get some light weight, thin rope at the hardware store or clothes line. Have them cut it at 30 or 50 ft....whatever you want. Just never leave him unattended with that or a leash on...or a collar for that matter, IMO. This way he can still run and explore, but you ultimately have him under control. But still, try to entice or motivate him to come rather than force, if you can. Be consistant and practice every day several times for short sessions. Remember, never give a command you can't enforce or do anything about. It's useless and it makes the dog ignore you.

Here are a couple of helpful sites:

http://www.sspca.org/Dogs_TANSTAAFL.html

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/dog.htm

Good luck.