I have a 16 week old rat terrier/chihuahua who is doing great with clicker training. Housebroken, sleeps thru the night, does 4 or 5 commands. I have started teaching the recall the way I've read on this site because I want it perfect. Outside, even with other dog distractions, she is 95%. I call her, have a party, and give her a high value treat. I've even started only giving the treat randomly. Here's the problem:
She likes the recall so much that while we are walking (in the country with a long line) she continually stops, allows me to get ahead, and waits for me to call her! It's getting so she does this for 20 minutes and if I don't call her she will let me get quite far away. When I do call she zooms to me. Should I just keep letting her do this, at least while she is young? Or is she 'running the show' too much?
At 16 weeks? I wouldn't automatically assume the lagging is an attempt to exploit the recall and win a treat.
Puppies are quickly distracted, and stop to stare/sniff, etc. When she looks up and see you've gone ahead, she's not sure what to do, so she's waiting for your guidance.
As time goes on, you'll eventually add in a "heel" command, which will naturally eliminate this behavior, so I wouldn't worry about it. You can "exploit her exploitation" and use the opportunity to continue to reinforce the recall with lots of praise and treats.
You also don't *have* to use the recall command. You can bring a tug or some other toy on a second leash, and lure her to you when she lags, instead of constantly using the command.
Keep a toy in your back pocket, and keep her engaged with you.
Thank you for the suggestion. I have started trying to redirect her with a toy, but I swear sometimes she just stands there until I say 'Here' and then she zooms to me. I think she's a little con artist trapped in a tiny body.
Anyway, I'm not going to worry about it. I just didn't want her to get sick of the command and then not respond as well.
If I do that and she's far away (still on a long line) she just sits (her 'default') and waits. I have to reel her in, which is fine, but I don't want to tarnish the great result I'm getting.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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You might change it up, too: turn away slightly as you call, starting with body language in a new direction and having additional purpose in the recall (let's go HERE and have fun!").
I sure wouldn't worry about her "using" the recall to get rewards. (Anyway, I don't care if she does! LOL)
All I care about at this point is keeping the result of her recall compliance "good for the dog." Recall = "Yay! Rewards and play!"
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Recall "problem"?
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