Quote: jennifer lee

I just wanted to say what a difference it made for us when I changed the command.

Come had turned into me repeating myself, and then getting angry, and him thinking it was all great fun to play catch me if you can. Literally, if we were outside, I would say come and he would start prancing around and play bowing.

Changing the word allowed me to totally start over, and re-teach it correctly without any of the baggage and previous bad training.

I'll bet it's over 50% of the time that I suggest switching to a new command after watching an owner with an unsuccessful recall.

Just make sure it's a word that you will use naturally, all the time. For example, if it was "come," it could now be "here."

The problem I had with Here, was that I kept saying "Come here" out of habit.

I considered just using the word Cheese since he knew cheese meant good things, but settled on "to me"

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

I just wanted to say what a difference it made for us when I changed the command. ... Changing the word allowed me to totally start over, and re-teach it correctly without any of the baggage and previous bad training.

You did good!

Changing the word can also help make that mental click over to recall training that's happy for everyone involved rather than a grim, expecting-non-compliance chore. What could be better than your dog flying to you with ears streaming (or waggling) and face smiley?

It is still far from perfect.

I will never trust him off leash in an open area, it just wont be an option with this dog. E-collar training might make that a possibility but that is down the road.

But certainly he is much much improved!

 Quote: connie sutherland

The everyday recall for me is a little different from many other commands. Even the formal recall is different. That is, my everyday recall isn't something I'm shaping to be performed in a specific way.

While I am still training it and marking each time, then yes, I'd mark and reward in a way that "fills" the marker, which the car ride might not do unless you were standing right by the open car door ready to jump in. You know? I mean, I don't want to give an empty marker, and the length of time it takes to get into a car and get going might well break the connection for the dog between marker and reward.

But then later when I have started to randomize the markers for the behavior, not marking every single time with my reserved marker word (or clicker), then the car ride would definitely be a great result that comes from recall compliance.

Hard to explain ....

That said, what's the dog's expected behavior for a "go bye-bye" command?

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

... 'Go bye bye' is actually a separate command.

Ya know, 'go bye bye' really isn't a command. Because I don't expect anything from her. She trots around happily and sits while I put the leash on her.

I had opportunity yesterday to take her to the country where she can run freely (just play time for her) but she is also with two 'dog' friends that they all play well.

I took treats so I could work with her under distraction. I started with the stuff she knows well (sit and down) and she did well, especially considering the super distractions of the other dogs.

The recall went well for up to about 15 feet.

I now realize I still have tons and tons of work to do with her.

I finally stopped completely and let her off leash to run and play so as to (hopefully) not taint another word.

All and all, I suppose it was a good experience because I see that she is no where near coming when called unless there is nothing better to do.

Practicing recall (and anything for that matter) as soon as I say her name, she comes. Even before I say here, or whatever I want her to do.

Also, I think, once again, I am marking when she starts toward me instead of when she gets to me. Clumsy co-ordination?

Edited by Nora Ferrell (09/20/2009 07:33 PM)
Edit reason: proof read