problem with yellow lab

[suzantn]

We have a 2 year old Yellow Lab and he is doing one thing that drives me crazy and I wonder if someone can help me. When we let her out back and then we are ready for her to come in, she won't come. The reason she won't come is because she knows or thinks we are going to put her in the bathroom before leaving for work. She stays in the bathroom while we are gone because we want a home when we get back home. She has her toys and I always give her a treat when we put her in there and I feel it is much better than staying in a kennel when we are away. We have a pretty big bathroom so it isn't a bad thing. How can I get her to come back inside when we call her. I always call her with a positive tone and will even give her a treat when she comes. She is a happy dog and is treated like family so I don't understand this. Can anyone give me any suggestions?

Thank you,
Suzanne

 

[Maxy24]

I would reteach the come command from the beginning using a different word (like "here" ). Once she's learned the new command inside and outside start using it when she is outside free in the yard. Have her come to you, get a treat and be let go again several times until the last time when she goes in. Eventually you will not have to do this every time she's out but still do it occasionally so she learns that being called over means she gets a treat and might get a chance to go back out. It does not always mean he fun is over.

 

[bubbatd]

I would let her out and in more often without putting her in the bathroom . Go out with a treat to lure her in .

 

[corgipower]

Every time you call her and she doesn't come, she is reinforced for ignoring the command. I agree with Maxy to retrain the recall using a different word. Meanwhile, keep her on a leash or a long line so the not coming habit doesn't continue.

 

[Zoom]

Agree with what Maxy said.

To your dog, "come" means "we're leaving and you're going to be bored". Reteach the command with a different word like was mentioned and make it a game. Sometimes just give her a treat and send her back out, or bring her in for a minute, then send her back out, or just give her a treat without her coming inside. Make it an awesome game! If it's only in the morning when you're leaving, switch it up. If your Lab is anything like mine, they pick up on routines very quickly, so if she knows that "A) I get fed and B) I go outside while they're getting ready and C)I get locked up when they call me" change it so you keep pretty close to the routine you need in order to get ready, but have an extra super special treat, like a frozen peanut butter stuffed Kong, ready for when she comes in and she ONLY gets this when she comes in in the morning. Make coming in and your leaving something to look forward to!

 

[sillysally]

Every time you call her and she doesn't come, she is reinforced for ignoring the command. I agree with Maxy to retrain the recall using a different word. Meanwhile, keep her on a leash or a long line so the not coming habit doesn't continue.

Exactly. Until she has a good recall, don't give the the option not to come.

One thing I do is try never to ask for a "here" (our recall word) empty handed if at all possible. I always want them to associate happy, joyful things with coming to us.

Have you tried not just giving her a treat but giving her goodies in a Kong when you leave? Mine *adore* their Kongs...

 

[suzantn]

Some good advice, thanks. I do offer her treats when she comes in and we do let her in and out even when she isn't going to get locked up. I will try the retraining with the word here and see if that works. I also haven't tried putting a treat in the kong. She is so funny though, we always put a treat for her in the bathroom and will at times leave her a rawhide or something to play with. Also her toys are in there. But when we are gone, she doesn't eat her treat or chew on her toys, she waits till we get home and then eats it. And she doesn't stay locked up for very long except under unusual circumstances. I am usually only gone to work for about 5 to 6 hours.

Well, thanks again, I am going to try the here command.