Punishing Bad Recall

[Little Turk]

Title probably sounds a bit harsher than I'd like but its the best way to describe it I think.

I've been reading a bit about recall training and have been practicing with my 12 week old boxer lately. Inside he does very well, comes and then sits (though he comes at a cat walk speed and runs when he wants, ).

However, when he's off leash and outside and I give the command sometimes he'll come but most times he'll sit there and stare and then take off running. I've read that you don't wanna keep giving the come command and have him not come because it'll teach him that he doesn't need to come when called.

What's the best way to show him that him not coming is unacceptable? Thus far when he doesn't come when called I'll say nothing, turn around, and walk away to the front door and have him follow me inside, sort of like a "If you're not gonna behave then play time is over". After I'm inside I'll ignore for a few minutes and then go back to trying to recall w/ treats a few times inside and praising.

Is this wrong? Any other suggestions?

House training isn't going the best either but we'll save that for another thread shortly

 

[ELubas]

He's a baby so he has no idea what you are "talking" about I used to get a squeaky toy, make it squeak, show it to them, and they will come (because you are so fun and exciting ) and when they do use his name and say come and go NUTS when he gets to you. Use your best happy, baby voice. You could try a long lead to insure sucess as then if he gets distracted you can gently reel him in. Do short distances so he is not too far from you. He is itty bitty so keep it short. And never say come if you do not intend to make sure he does as every time he does not makes it optional. You do not want to so much, at his age, make it unacceptable TO NOT come , but wonderful and fun when he DOES. Good luck

 

[mguiette]

Eileen is right. We had trouble with Maximus, and we used the lead to reel him in, and that helped a LOT. now he comes every time, but also at a cat walk speed like yours. he likes to take his time sometimes, but the squeaky toy works great! you do have to entice them when they're that young, and LOTS and LOTS of praise, lovin's and treats. don't ALWAYS do treats with training (i've found) b/c if you are in a place where you have no treats, you want them to still obey! good luck!

 

[gmacleod]

Do not punish a failed recall Not physically or with harsh words, anyway. Doing so will just make the problem 10 times worse. It gives the dog a darned good reason NOT to come to you - and once you've poisoned the command, you may not ever be able to retrieve it.

I think you're looking at it the wrong way round. Instead of looking for ways to teach a baby that not obeying a command he doesn't properly understand yet is "unacceptable" - you should be trying to think of ways to make him want to come racing to you when you call. THAT is the basis of good recall. You need to be the most interesting and rewarding thing around. And when you can be that, your pup will come joyously. He needs reasons to do what you want, not threats if he doesn't.

The only sorts of "punishment" that you should be looking to employ is removal of rewards. When he doesn't come - deprive him of your attention. When he does come, shower him with attention and praise. He needs to know that you think he's fantastic when he comes to you, and that he'll get lots of fun also (more fun than chasing a leaf, or exploring the world - which is pretty exciting when you're a baby boxer).

And if you really want to prevent him not complying, then put him on a long leash outdoors. He's FAR too young to have a reliable recall just yet - he'll come because it's good and it's fun and you show him that, but other things can compete for a baby's attention. If you don't want to compete, then remove the option. But even if you have to reel him in sometimes, DON'T forget to shower him with praise when he gets to you. It really is the only reason you can give him for coming If it's not a pleasant and rewarding experience, then he'll (understandably) start to avoid it.