Hi guys:

I’ve noticed that my boy is getting a big sluggish, hesitant (not full force, flat out running) on the long “come” when we’re training. Not a problem with recall (I use his name for that), it’s always a party and he’s by my side immediately.

I’ve been doing a lot of running "downs" (intermittently) with the “come”. He’s on the end of the property in the “sit or down”, I walk across the yard, about face, have him “sit or down” from a distance then have him “come”. About half way I’ll ask him to “down” and then have him “come” the rest of way and “sit” in front. He seems to be anticipating a possible “down” and even when I don’t ask for it he’s just kind of loping towards me as opposed to the full out gallop. This wasn’t initially a problem (last couple of weeks). I’ve tried to get animated and excited but feel this is a bit of step back and seems to confuse him a bit. The last three sessions I didn’t have him “down” on the “come” at all hoping this would speed things up but it hasn’t really helped either.

Also, I’m not quite sure when or how I should be rewarding the distant “running down”. When I taught him, he would be running, I’d ask him to “down” and then toss the kong. As he now knows the command (has for about 3 months), he gets the toss after the “sit in front” and “finish heel”.
Any ideas on where I’m going wrong or a better method of rewarding?

Hi CJ, I believe the problem that you are experiencing is fairly common. Are you using markers? How did you start the training?
These are some quesions you may want to answer to get a response.

One of the things that I do for this excercise is after the dog is running and downs on command I walk to him with a treat or toy and reward him in the place where he downs while telling him "good boys" as I'm walking to him.

The problem that you descirbe on the slow return occurs when you do a lot of running downs. Decrease your distance take out his toy or whatever you use to really motivate him and call him to you when he gets there (front or heel) whatever the first behavior is, reward him and have a party. Of course restrained recalls whould also be fun if you have the help.

I'd try a couple of different things and see what works. The first thing is what you already did, no more downs for a while in mid run. <grin>

As he is running towards you, you can start flapping your arms like someone that needs a straightjacket while running backwards.

The other thing I would probably try is to go back to basics and have someone hold him while you call him, when he is pulling good and hard have him released and as he approaches you throw the ball between your legs behind you. The goal is that he will follow the ball so make sure you are positioned accordingly.

Both methods offer some cheap entertainment value to anyone watching. I have had dogs go through my legs, and send my flying and my inner child has emerged when flapping my arms around using a squeaky voice.

And of course running backwards.......Well, 'nuff said!

Hi Reggie:

When I first taught him I asked him to down about 1/2 way, (hand signal and verbal command) and when he did I threw the toy from where I was and had him return it to me. You make a good point, should I have walked back to him and reward (tossed the toy) from there? I've probably got him mixed up somehow. Hmmm.

Also, never though of using the restrained recall for this. As I stated his "recall" is excellent - returning to me immediately (outside of training sessions), having used that method but I use his name instead of the "Come". I'm sure he distinguishes these as two different commands.

Shortening the distance also sounds like a good step too. Kind of going back to square one. I tend to create quite long span, lots for him to think about in that distance. Short, quick, fun, party at the end. No downs for a while?

Hi Betty:

Too funny. I actually tried the animation thing, not quite the "straight jacket" appearance (bending over, clapping hands type of thing) and it seemed to confuse him a bit. Maybe I take his obedience, once he's learned a command, too seriously. The sessions are almost formal like and he generally responds very quickly to anything I ask of him.

Both you and Reggie have recommended no more running downs for a bit so I'll go with that for sure.

I have a husband for the restrained recalls and this ball between the legs... is that to get up his speed to me and passed me? Sounds like a great idea! He is a big, solid boy though and I'm just 5'4" so I can see hubby and the neighbors getting their cheap entertainment on my flips. But hey, for the good of a pup, I'll try anything. I guess we should get the video camera out.

It picks up a lot of speed! Throw the ball at the last possible second and they are more apt to go between your legs then.

With a formal recall that ends with the sit in front of you it starts the dog at coming at you fast and square on your body.

The restraining helps build up the excitement and throwing the balls behind you keeps the speed up!

That sounds great Betty. I'm going to try it with hubby in this evening.

I'm sure your experience will be different but I have had two different dogs plow into my knees training the recall to the front. The good news is I have the speed, the bad news is I've looked down fully expecting my knee to be facing the wrong way!

Your husband can pump up the dog too, thumping him on the side. Probably only take a couple of times and you will have your speed back!

I personally don't down my dogs when I call them to me. I can & they will, but I don't do it. I want them to come to me when I call them running hard & fast to me & usually to a formal front. I do downs in motion on send outs ony. JMO

That's interesting Anne.

This is the first dog I've brought to this level of obedience, not only because it's necessary for his rehabilitation but he's just so darn good at it. Thinking that this was just another excercise to be perfected I never thought about the negative reprocussions it could have, which I have now seen first hand.

I do have the saving grace of his bolting recall when I call his name. I've never used this is training and am so thankful for this now. The "come" on the other hand is this sluggish loping.

As both Betty and Reggie have suggested, I will stop this, try to rebuild his motivation and seriously think about reintroducing it.

Thanks Anne