Murphie comes when called...sometimes

MonaD

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#1
Hello all,
This is my first post here, though I have been reading all posts and archives and learned so much about caring for and training my dog!
I am the proud human of a 3 1/2 month Border collie X LAb pup named Murphie, who I adopted from my local SPCA. She is doing great with housetraining and some basic commands. My problem is, she comes when she is called...when SHE wants to and often when she DOES come, she is in no big hurry to get to me. There doesn't seem to be much difference whether I use my high-pitched "super-happy-fun time-come and play" voice or the neutral command voice I use to get her to "sit" or "stay" (which she does). She may come slightly more often when she knows I have a treat for her, and I always praise her like crazy when she does come (or follow any command really).
:confused: Okay, finally, to my first question...when she does not come, what should I do? Keep calling till she does come? Give up? Go get her and drag her over? I want her coming to me to be the number one priority. I want it to be fun fun FUN! but also practical (saftey etc), so it won't always mean something great is going to happen.
:confused: Question 2. We have a similar problem while being on a leash. If she doesn't want to go, she doesn't go. She sits. She lies down. She tugs like heck in the OTHER direction! I don't want to drag her, I don't even want to give her a firm tug, because again, I want being on the leash to be practical, but also really FUN coz we're going to go somewhere and play or swim or othe fun doggie things! Any suggestions on this? Am I expecting too much too soon perhaps?
Thank you to all who read and repy,
Mona
(I've also cross-posted this to "dog training"-I hope that is allowed)
 

smkie

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#2
It took 6 months for Victor and me to completely bond. Now he comes everytime..and we don't need the leash. He's now about a year old. If you follow the tips that were given on how to teach your dog to come..that will be a big help..but give it time too. Even 4 months is not very long..and you are so new to your dog's life. Once he feels a hundred percent that you are his person..and your not going to go away..i bet things will get better.
i do have to say that he will run a big circle once or twice around..and we are not at all reliable if squirrels are out..but basically we do not need the leash..had to be completely honest here.
 

Saje

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#3
I think the only key thing I can offer is to only call her when you know she is going to come. If you call her all the time and she only comes part of it she's not learning.

There was a good post about that a few months ago. ... I'll look for it but I can't remember who posted it!
 

MonaD

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#4
good advice

Thanks for the respones.
Yes we have a lot more bonding to do I'm sure. Good advice, Saje on being certain she will come before calling.
Thanks,
Mona
 

MonaD

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#6
I LOVE www.clickerlessons.com!
What a great site, what a straight forward and positive training technique.
Thanks!
Mona
 

Saje

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#7
Glad you liked it. It's one of my favourites. It's the clearest one I've found on clicker training. :)
 

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