Hi All!
I'm back to talk with the experts! Lilly is doing really well! I have not missed a day of walking her..So is so healthy and such a joy for me to have at home while I am working she stays under my feet. She has even learned to leave the cat alone (pretty much)

So with all going so well..why am I here! Her nose is into everything! Mostly when I'm not looking she gets up onto the counters and pulls off whatever she can reach..Last night it was my dinner. Now I am stating to think that is maybe my fault???? But at some point should there be or is there a correction for her not to do this? I'm not really sure how to tackle this one. When we sam "No, DOWN" she gets down..Her nose also likes to find it's way up our backsides as well!

Also, The other struggle with us is that she doesn't come when called...Only sometimes..I think that this is also something I need to work on?? We practice the "Lilly COME" she will come sometimes but 90% of the time she just won't move..

So what do you all think..As always if these are thing I need to fix in my behavior you can human train me as well!! LOL!

 Quote: Kristina Woolf

Mostly when I'm not looking she gets up onto the counters and pulls off whatever she can reach..

When I can't watch I keep everything off the counters to avoid the unwanted reinforcement of stealing. When I'm watching as soon as the eyes and sniffer point to counter they are told off, then redirected. Is it possible for you to change the mindset and word from down to another word and verbal correct before Lilly even pops up, the correction should be before. (when i say down i am looking for the dog to lay, i really try (not always perfect) to not interchange commands)

What do you do when she doesn't come that 10% of the time?

How old is she?

What Aimee said: What do you do when she doesn't comply with recall, but also how did you teach the recall?

Counter-surfing: Again what Aimee said, but also this sounds like a little hole in management.

Have you ever tethered the dog to you when not crated?

Some of the same questions as amy:

How old is this dog?

I've noticed my 4 month old shepherd doesn't come in about 10% of the time. I don't expect it to be perfect, but I have found a couple things that have helped (she is on a long line when we are out) When we are walking on the trails with her on the long line, I will call her in and praise, reward (always make sure you have treats/toys) like crazy then let her go again. The trick is to keep it quick so she learns that the sooner she comes in the sooner you are going to let her go out again.

Sometimes though she hesitates. Not like, "well I wanna go this way" hesitates, but she is sitting down and kind of like "what, hunh, what do you mean" hesitates. So I say "in" and if she hesitates I encourage her to do what she thinks is right. So I will say "good girl, that's right, let's go. IN" and as soon as she realizes that she is doing what she is supposed to she will run to me. When she gets to me you had better believe the praise and treats are a'flowin! It has really helped.

As for the counter-surfing, step on her leash when you are in the kitchen getting stuff ready and don't leave her to her own devices just yet. I always teach my pups that when I step on the leash it means to lay down and relax. Eventually, i just step on it, they lay, down and I can move around them without them moving. It does take time though.

Wow, I hope this isn't too confusing. Hope it helps!



Edited by Niomi Smith (06/03/2010 06:20 PM)
Edit reason: Added more

Thanks so much!
Lilly is about a year old...
I trained the recall like I learned from the video's on the short line and then long line and reward when she comes. It's mostly happens when I walk in a different room..normally she follows..sometimes she doesn't so I say Lilly come..Nothing...Lilly come..nothing..I go back into the other room and she may be just lying there looking at me. This morning my husband was calling her outside to the patio from the living room and she basically just walked away from him..Trainer problem??

I like the idea of "off" because I do use down to get her to lay down....

She always has a leash on and when not in her crate she is with me (tied) or in the same room. I have been giving her a little more freedom in the house as we want her to be a house dog..

All input is welcome..I really appreciate the help

 Quote: Kristina Woolf

Lilly is about a year old...It's mostly happens when I walk in a different room..normally she follows..sometimes she doesn't so I say Lilly come..Nothing...Lilly come..nothing..I go back into the other room and she may be just lying there looking at me. This morning my husband was calling her outside to the patio from the living room and she basically just walked away from him..Trainer problem??

Then what happens? Do you allow her to ignore or encourage her to the location of the original call command?