Hi all,

I own a six month St. Bernard pup and I am having trouble getting her to come to me when I call her. Sometimes, when I call her she comes running right to me with her tail wagging. Then somedays she just does her own thing and wont respond to my command. I am always asking her to come with a positive tone and body language. I NEVER reprimand her for coming when I call her. I take her for walks, practice sit, down, stay. I play with her for a few minutes a day. I continue to have this problem. Ever since I got her, she was like this. I always give her praise when she comes to me when I call her. If I have a treat I give it to her when I call her. Does anyone know structured way of teaching the come command?

Now, I know that if a dog does not have a bond with you then they won't willfully come when you call them. I almost think she has an increased level of distraction despite there being little to no distractions when performing this exercise. It's sort of like she would rather run around and play than listen to my command. Any help is appreciated.

 Quote: mark langr

It's sort of like she would rather run around and play than listen to my command. Any help is appreciated.

She is a Baby!!! Of course she is going to want to run around and play. I would not necessarily chalk it up to a bonding issue quite yet. (unless there are concerns you have about your relationship in other areas combined with this)

Are you more interesting than everything she wants to go run around playing with? It is essential that you are cartoonish LOL rather, animated and FUN for this pup. Set her up for success. You have to come alive. Run backwards, jump, clap, mark and give STEAK when your pup comes to you. Repeat over and over, then stop. Do this several times a day. Short and sweet, then add distrations, slowly. Do you have another pup too?

COME, IMO, is a fun exercise to teach. There are numerous threads about the "COME" command and it's importance. Use the search.

1. Pups are unreliable.

2. Never call your pup unless you are SURE they will come. If you aren't sure, go to them and pick them up or reel them in on a long line.

 Quote: mike j schoonbrood

... Never call your pup unless you are SURE they will come. If you aren't sure, go to them and pick them up or reel them in on a long line.

That's a biggie. You don't want to teach the dog that the recall is optional or that "keep-away" is a fun game.

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=14&Number=203075&Searchpage=1&Main=20156&Words=recall+Connie+Sutherland&topic=0&Search=true#Post203075

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=14&Number=203087&Searchpage=1&Main=20156&Words=recall+Connie+Sutherland&topic=0&Search=true#Post203087

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/199786/page/0/fpart/2

Good call Mike and Connie. I started to say what you've both succiently stated, and began to get too anecdotal...deleted it.

Long story short (? lol), just last night, my pup (who BTW, is coming a long GREAT with his recall) was running totally free at a friends farm. He got pretty far out, and out of habit and just that plain old "stupid human" garb, I hollered COME. (thinking simultaneously I'M SO DUMB for saying that, but that he *is* so good at it, *maybe*...)

Well, he did not come. I immediately shut up, but then when he was closer, said it again!!! Knowing full well, it was only teaching him what you've both said, that he does not have to come. So. I shut my mouth, ran the other direction, and when he was full speed ahead running at me, I said COME in a different tone, and marked and treated him with a jackpot.

It's really stupid, but humans who are not fully "trained" and experienced in teaching a solid recall can really screw it up quickly.

To UNDO quickly what I started to screw up last night, I did a bunch of short sessions with recalls at which he did awesome. Next time he's "FREE" he will be dragging a long line for sure!!!