Difficulty with "Come" command

[tjohnson]

Hello everyone, I need some help with my 4 month puppy regarding the come command.

First, let me say she is extremely timid and sleeps allot. This doesn't concern me too much as we have only had her for about 4 days and she is a puppy who was just pulled from one home and put in another. I get this. What I have been struggling with is to get her to come. This is always the first command I try to directly teach but I have run into a problem with Finley that I have never encountered before. When I try to get her to come she just sits there, stock still and stares. She doesn't run, act scared or anything but just sits there. Oh yeah, sometimes she will just lay down (in protest I suppose). This has made potty training a bit of an issue. While she is very reliable and has yet to have any accidents in the house, and she always goes when I take her outside, I just cannot get her to move on her own if she isn't already on her way. This is the same indoors and out, with or without a leash, and it doesn't matter who is calling her. I have had to carry her to my back yard so she can do her business, no joke. My wife thinks this is hilarious but I feel "come" is extremely important to learn right away.

Any ideas or suggestions?

By the way, we have tried enticing her with treats, excited voices, and toys but she seems to have no desire to move the 3' distance to get her reward. She does like the toys and the treats and accepts them after she goes in the back yard. She is also very bright and seems to listen when I tell her "no" and is very attentive (when she is awake).

 

[Althea]

Have you had her to a vet yet? That would be my first suggestion...even for a puppy under some stress, they usually bounce off walls when they are awake. Once you rule out anything with that...

These guys are stubborn. And while I agree the "come" command is important, she may not have bonded with you yet enough to really grasp that. Here's what I did to teach come, and it's worked well so far.

First, we taught Suki her name. That alone took about a week. After that, we would go outside (I carried her out to avoid premature accidents), and after she had done her business, I let her off lead. She followed me around, especially in the beginning, and we started playing chase me. I'd run, and she'd chase me. Then, I'd chase her until she started running really fast. and I'd stand and wait until she stopped. Then when she turned and looked at me, I'd get down on my haunches and say her name in the happiest voice I could, and say, "Suki, come here!" She'd race back, and we would have snuggle-lick-cuddles for several minutes. I've never had to use treats so far, as she loves the attention -- she is a diva and totally "my" dog.

But for only four days, I'd give it some time. Let her learn to follow you first, and trust you. She's had a pretty significant breach of trust if she's been moved around a lot at such a young age. Teach her other things, like sit and stay, or I teach wait, before they eat. And when she returns to you for anything, reinforce that with praise -- "good come!" and lots of attention, and treats if you want. She's got to value what you offer her MORE than whatever else appeals to her away from you.

 

[tjohnson]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the running game you suggested tonight and see if she responds. She does run around outside so that is probably a good place to start. She is also scheduled to see a vet this Friday. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[Cami]

At 4 months of age it is highly reasonable to assume that she has no idea what the word "come" means.
Teaching the word isn't that hard but having a GREAT recall is and I agree with you 100% that if nothing else all dogs MUST have a good recall. It can literally save their lives. Also makes life a whole lot more enjoyable for the humans.

A good portion of Boxers need for their humans to think outside the box when it comes to training.
So she won't come when you call her or offer her treats, toys, etc....
If she is sitting in one place put a trail of treats in front of her (leading away from her like a bread crumb trail).
You will be at the other end of the "trail".
Don't say anything to get her started. Once she does decide to get her treats and is making her way towards you say Good Girl COME!! (in a happy voice of course).
Rinse. Repeat! Over and over.

She WILL learn what come means.

Utilize two people in the home or in the yard. Each have (treats) and include a toy that she loves and might even be playing with at the time. Stand a fair distance away from each other and pass the toy back and forth. When she shows interest in the toy and is heading in the direction of the toy (and a human) tell her to come. In theory she will already be coming to the toy....once she arrives give her a treat but NOT the toy. Continue to pass it back and forth between the humans for a bit. Eventually do give it to her (after 5 or so passes). Continue this play (training). She will also learn the come command this way and get some good exercise while doing so running back and forth between the humans.

If she follows anyone anywhere for any reason say Good Girl Come! Use what she does naturally to help with training. When she comes to find you in another room.....same thing. Good Girl COME!
Get up to walk away from her and slap your thigh, "Come on...Let's GO". When she does follow.....Good Girl COME!

She will have it in no time. appicon

 

[tjohnson]

Althea's suggested chasing game worked like a dream. She got it right away and is now responding to the "come" command all the time outside and sometimes inside. I just wanted to thank everyone for the tips, it really made a big difference.