Cues for recall & coming in from outside?
- Thread starter opokki
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Well, sometimes Shippo will run to the door after I've said "C'mere!" but he'll stop at the door, and I've gotten into the habit of saying "inside!" if he stops at the door. No formal training or anything, but he just knows it now out of habit lol...
If you're talking about the dog not even approaching the door, well Shippo used to do that (he went through this two-month phase where he was testing out ignoring me). I started giving him treats randomly for coming to the door/inside, and if he wouldn't come, I'd give Eevee treats while he watched from afar, and he came running but didn't get anything because it was too late. He hauls butt to the door now LMFAO!
If you're talking about the dog not even approaching the door, well Shippo used to do that (he went through this two-month phase where he was testing out ignoring me). I started giving him treats randomly for coming to the door/inside, and if he wouldn't come, I'd give Eevee treats while he watched from afar, and he came running but didn't get anything because it was too late. He hauls butt to the door now LMFAO!
If your dog is not reliable about coming, whether a formal "come," where he sits in front of you or just coming close or inside, I wouldn't use any cue yet. Only use a cue if he is coming. Treat him with a special treat EVERY time he comes to you and loads of praise. Later, when he's reliable, you can skip a few times with the treat. (every 2 times he comes, then every 4 times, then every time for a few, then every 5 times....skip around) When you bring him inside, continue playing something he loves to do. Don't stop the fun the minute he comes inside. Use treats that he loves while you're playing. Make coming inside just as grand as playing outside. (maybe not as wild)
You can go to him and put a leash on him to help him come inside. But, before you bring him in, after attaching the leash, turn him loose again. Repeat a few times. Let him know that putting the leash on is not the end of the fun. Give him a treat and lots of praise each time you put the leash on.
The important thing is to NOT use the word, "come" or any cue word unless he's already obviously coming. You'll poison the cue if you use it and he doesn't comply. He's not being stubborn if he doesn't comply. Humans need to be careful not to attribute the degree of logic that we have to dogs. They don't test you or blow you off. They're not that complex. He's just doing what works the best for him, being an opportunistic animal. If something outside is better than coming, he'll keep doing what's more motivating. So, you have to become more motivating. And coming inside has to be a really cool thing. Dogs aren't like people in that they "know" better but choose to disobey. They just plain do what works for them. That's as far as it goes in their brains. That's why we have to train them.
You can go to him and put a leash on him to help him come inside. But, before you bring him in, after attaching the leash, turn him loose again. Repeat a few times. Let him know that putting the leash on is not the end of the fun. Give him a treat and lots of praise each time you put the leash on.
The important thing is to NOT use the word, "come" or any cue word unless he's already obviously coming. You'll poison the cue if you use it and he doesn't comply. He's not being stubborn if he doesn't comply. Humans need to be careful not to attribute the degree of logic that we have to dogs. They don't test you or blow you off. They're not that complex. He's just doing what works the best for him, being an opportunistic animal. If something outside is better than coming, he'll keep doing what's more motivating. So, you have to become more motivating. And coming inside has to be a really cool thing. Dogs aren't like people in that they "know" better but choose to disobey. They just plain do what works for them. That's as far as it goes in their brains. That's why we have to train them.
Interesting idea. There are 2 dogs so I'll have to keep that in mind.
Thanks Doberluv.
The dog in question is my aunts dog (10 month old). The dog has no recall at all yet as far as I know...the dog loves being outside so much that my aunt has a hard time getting her back in.
When I was speaking to her the other day, she told me that the dog avoids her when its time to come in. Her current approach is to get the dogs leash, walk over to the gate to get the dog to come to her (dog thinks its time for a walk) and walk the dog out one gate and back through another and then into the house. I told her I'd come over and help her out. Thanks for all the ideas.
Thanks Doberluv.
The dog in question is my aunts dog (10 month old). The dog has no recall at all yet as far as I know...the dog loves being outside so much that my aunt has a hard time getting her back in.
When I was speaking to her the other day, she told me that the dog avoids her when its time to come in. Her current approach is to get the dogs leash, walk over to the gate to get the dog to come to her (dog thinks its time for a walk) and walk the dog out one gate and back through another and then into the house. I told her I'd come over and help her out. Thanks for all the ideas.
Instead of trying to trick the dog by making him think he's going to have fun by going for a walk, she make make coming inside be fun and reinforcing. Maybe find some interactive games for inside, like a couple of minutes of hide and seek. When he finds her, he gets a treat...maybe a gentle game of tug with a rope toy...or toy that is only reserved for when he comes inside after being outside. Tell her to use a high value treat; real meat or a tiny piece of cheese.
Remind her never to punish the dog in any way after it comes to her, no matter what he did before. Dogs live in the present. Even doing something that is unpleasant, like clipping the nails or ending the fun is like punishment. So, in that case she needs to go get him. She has to give him good reason to come, in other words. I still thow my dogs a party when they come to me. And they're adults, have been coming to me for a long time. LOL. Maybe not every time, but often enough that they don't decide it's just not worth it compared to whatever they may be interested in otherwise. But for her dog, while he's still learning, she needs to make a big fuss over him and give him a tasty treat every time. I hope that it works out for her.
Remind her never to punish the dog in any way after it comes to her, no matter what he did before. Dogs live in the present. Even doing something that is unpleasant, like clipping the nails or ending the fun is like punishment. So, in that case she needs to go get him. She has to give him good reason to come, in other words. I still thow my dogs a party when they come to me. And they're adults, have been coming to me for a long time. LOL. Maybe not every time, but often enough that they don't decide it's just not worth it compared to whatever they may be interested in otherwise. But for her dog, while he's still learning, she needs to make a big fuss over him and give him a tasty treat every time. I hope that it works out for her.