Quote: Kory Fox

I understand now that there's a better way and am trying to figure alot of that out now.

Now that I'm beginning to understand how people get that willingness of their dog to do things, that's what I want.

 Quote: Kory Fox

I already gave a little background in another post, but basically up until now I have always raised/trained dogs with corrections/compulsion. I now understand that that's not the right way to do it. I also now know that that's the reason I've always had trouble getting dogs to come reliably. So, we have a 3 year old female chocalate lab that will not come reliably. If she decides she doesn't want to come, there's no getting her. She just comes when she decides she wants to. How do I go about fixing this?

Thanks,
Kory

Kory; PLEASE heed what Connie and Bob are telling you. Ecollars are advanced well beyond the level that you're at right now. The proper use requires a separate, complete education. I'm not just saying this. To see what I'm talking about, check out the dvds from Ed and Mike before you even look at that remote collar again. You will never get that lab to recall if you compound your mistakes, and even worse, someone or the dog is going to get hurt.

I didn't mean to sound like I was going to try it. Just curious how that could work.

You will need to study on the proper use. This site has some videos for that. The first thing you will learn is how to condition the dog to the collar. You cant just put it on and give a correction, as the dog will not understand that.
Most importantly, before giving any correction, ecollar or otherwise, the dog must understand what is expected AND be fairly proficient with that command. Therefore, you must build a fairly decent recall before you correct for a refusal. After the recall is established and after you learn to properly use the ecollar, THEN the remote will be a valuable tool for long distance recalls. Once all of that is accomplished, you can then teach the dog to recall to the pager; i.e., the pager can be used like the word "come" or a whistle, etc.

I would also work on this ALOT inside, without the distraction of outside/outdoor influences.

When you are practicing outside, make sure it's at short distances and with the dog on a long line.

And make sure to NEVER repeat the command.
It's once only. If the dog doesn't listen don't keep repeating the command.

 Quote: Wendy Lefebvre

I would also work on this ALOT inside, without the distraction of outside/outdoor influences.

Billboard!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Wendy Lefebvre

I would also work on this ALOT inside, without the distraction of outside/outdoor influences.

Billboard!

Showgirls!

Once your dog is recalling perfectly inside, then you can start training outside with minimal distractions, once that phase is complete you can move forward to big distractions (cats, dogs, squirrels etc etc.)
It wouldn't be fair to try and train the recall without proofing him to distractions.
Im not saying don't use the recall outside, just always have him on a long lead outside until the distraction phase is done.

Kory, any time you want to link us to a video clip, we'll be happy to make suggestions.

Two cents. Outside use a long line, maybe 50 feet in length, a ball or toy, toss it, try to get the dog to get it, try to get the dog to return with it, huge praise, treats, whatever if any component is accomplished, leading to all the component parts success. Make the recall a game.

Whether returning with a toy or to you its all about praise, in my oh so humble opinion. In some ways you blur the lines with a 'bring' or 'come' command but the result should be a dog that readily returns to you.

Train the 'go', the 'get', the 'bring', the 'come', the 'sit', the 'give', the 'place', etc. All as part of the game of getting the dog to readily and enthusiastically return to you. Or not. Might not be pretty at first but it is a routine that gives you multiple opportunities to praise in one exercise of working on 'come'.

Every the time the dog comes to you, and even when you are agitated with the dog for what ever reason, especially when you are agitated, huge praise for coming to you. Acting on your agitation or frustration is revenge. Rewarding the 'come' conditions the dog to associate you with good things.

E-collar can be misused too easily, and frustration is an ingredient for misuse.

Loose long line, treats, praise, and liking the dog. Don't train a dog you don't like because the dog knows it, and who likes to work for the grinch? Just an opinion.

Old dog, young dog, all trainable. Time, patience, consistency. As mentioned by others, do the work with distractions to emphasize you and the dog. No revenge, no delayed correction, all smiles, be the actor...

OK, I want a penny back, not very useful.

no info is un-useful (that SO isn't a word but im using it anyway!)

any tips and tricks other people have used for the recall (the most important command in any dog owners book!) are, im sure, welcomed by the OP.

I think you're idea/thoughts were very useful!

 Quote: Mike Arnold

Outside use a long line, maybe 50 feet in length, a ball or toy, toss it, try to get the dog to get it, try to get the dog to return with it, huge praise, treats, whatever if any component is accomplished, leading to all the component parts success. Make the recall a game.

Whether returning with a toy or to you its all about praise, in my oh so humble opinion. In some ways you blur the lines with a 'bring' or 'come' command but the result should be a dog that readily returns to you.

Every the time the dog comes to you, and even when you are agitated with the dog for what ever reason, especially when you are agitated, huge praise for coming to you. Acting on your agitation or frustration is revenge. Rewarding the 'come' conditions the dog to associate you with good things.

Loose long line, treats, praise, and liking the dog. Don't train a dog you don't like because the dog knows it, and who likes to work for the grinch? Just an opinion.

New dog at the club when I got there last night. 18mo GSD, freak for his frisbee. Used the frisbee and a 50ft line to do exactly what Mike describes. In front of the club members can be an intimidating place for us new trainers to "praise up" the dog (most people are more reserved in front of strangers), but the guy seemed to get it and tried to heed the flood of pointers coming his way. Dog had a blast, and the result was a good session for both.