Our boxer is 9 months old and we have been working on and off the leash with the "come" command. When we let him outside to play or potty he comes when he is finished or called, but there are times when we try to get him and he starts bouncing around, running away, barking and grawling. Us trying to get Jacko turns into a game for him. Any suggestions on how to get him to come on command in order to help the training process?
"come" turns into a game
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Kilby'sMum
Super Boxer
Ah yes, a popular game amongst boxer puppies (though perhaps not so popular with their owners 
). I think you have to go back to basics a bit.
Firstly, only use the command when he is actually coming to you, it's no good shouting the word over and over again because it will lose all meaning. Secondly, don't chase after him, you need to get him excited about coming over to you, whatever it takes. With our girls we found that making high pitched noises/talking in a high voice combined with a bit of jumping up and down worked a treat. But, if that fails, start to walk away from him, odds are, he'll want to know where you're going without him! Oh, and finally, make sure you're not ending playtime every time he comes to you because they clue on to that real quick! Mix it up a bit, sometimes call and release him and sometimes put his leash on or go inside.
). I think you have to go back to basics a bit. Firstly, only use the command when he is actually coming to you, it's no good shouting the word over and over again because it will lose all meaning. Secondly, don't chase after him, you need to get him excited about coming over to you, whatever it takes. With our girls we found that making high pitched noises/talking in a high voice combined with a bit of jumping up and down worked a treat. But, if that fails, start to walk away from him, odds are, he'll want to know where you're going without him! Oh, and finally, make sure you're not ending playtime every time he comes to you because they clue on to that real quick! Mix it up a bit, sometimes call and release him and sometimes put his leash on or go inside.
johann
Boxer Insane
Run the opposite direction. Or pretend to fall down (in my case, actually trip and fall while trying to run away :p ). Absolutely don't chase him....then it becomes a super fun game of chase the puppy. You want it to be a fun game of "come running right back when called". When he gets to you....play a fun game of tug or give him lots of treats and love. Make it far more exciting to be with you than running around (jump around, talk in a high voice, squeeky toys, tug games, etc).
I swear they can tell when it's time to leave. Johann will be tired and laying down, I'll go to walk up to him (after getting him to come when called randomly for 30 mins)......and he takes off.
Another thought is to let him drag a thin long rope (like a clothsline) and then if he runs, you can reel him in. The issue I've run in to with this is that JOhann knows when the rope (or leash) is there and he comes back. Then when we take that off.......he's gone and thinks that he's truly free.
Recall is the hardest command (IMO), because it's hard to practice in real world situations with distractions while keeping your dog safe.
I swear they can tell when it's time to leave. Johann will be tired and laying down, I'll go to walk up to him (after getting him to come when called randomly for 30 mins)......and he takes off.
Another thought is to let him drag a thin long rope (like a clothsline) and then if he runs, you can reel him in. The issue I've run in to with this is that JOhann knows when the rope (or leash) is there and he comes back. Then when we take that off.......he's gone and thinks that he's truly free.
Recall is the hardest command (IMO), because it's hard to practice in real world situations with distractions while keeping your dog safe.
Thank you for your suggestions. We have been working with Jacko and for the most part things seem to be working.
I have changed my tone to be more stern rather than weak which helped a lot, obviously. Making crazy noises made Jacko curious and he came running over to me but eventually he caught on to that. I tried walking away, but he just comes running after me and gets just close enough for me to grab him, but when I go and try to grab him he runs away again. The more I ignore him the louder he barks and the higher he jumps, if I keep ignoring him he comes and grabs my sleeve to get my attention or hits me with his nose, but again Jacko is to quick for me to grab him.
What has seemed to be very successful is having him off leash, in a highly distracting area and just calling for Jacko to come, when he does pet him, praise him, and then let him go play again. That way play time isn't over and he is being rewarded for coming.
If he gets to wound up, I put Jacko back onto his 20 foot leash and work commands that way, but he knows when the leash is on and does everything he is asked to do!
It is still a work in progress but I feel we are defiantly making some progress!
I have changed my tone to be more stern rather than weak which helped a lot, obviously. Making crazy noises made Jacko curious and he came running over to me but eventually he caught on to that. I tried walking away, but he just comes running after me and gets just close enough for me to grab him, but when I go and try to grab him he runs away again. The more I ignore him the louder he barks and the higher he jumps, if I keep ignoring him he comes and grabs my sleeve to get my attention or hits me with his nose, but again Jacko is to quick for me to grab him.
What has seemed to be very successful is having him off leash, in a highly distracting area and just calling for Jacko to come, when he does pet him, praise him, and then let him go play again. That way play time isn't over and he is being rewarded for coming.
If he gets to wound up, I put Jacko back onto his 20 foot leash and work commands that way, but he knows when the leash is on and does everything he is asked to do!
It is still a work in progress but I feel we are defiantly making some progress!
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