need help training my stubborn yorkshire terrorist!

[Keely_momma]

Yep, yep, yep! Is she EVER stubborn. I know shes just a puppy, but OMG. I have taught her to sit, give paw and lie down(She'll only do that when theres a treat dangling over her head) Im A first time dog owner, and this is my first time training a dog. I Dont knopw how to train her to Stay, or to come. I really need to teach her these things because i really want to do agility with her (she would be peerfect for agility, Shes REAALLLYY smart, and catches on quick [I taught her to lie down in litterally 5 minutes, give paw took a day and sit took about 2 days] But shes too darn stubborn). I think ive made a huge mistake by letting her off leash when outside, She doesnt go very far away from me, but when i tell her to come, She doesnt even look at me, she just continues licking the grass, and i clap my hands, whistle, just about everything, but i cant get her attention! I loose my patience with her and i Yell, then i go pick her up and bring her inside. I know I shouldnt yell, but sometimes its just unbearable. I Need help, And please dont request i inroll her in obediance classes. Because its not possible, I would have to make a 4 hour drive just to get to one, then id have to drive 4 hours to get home, so that is out of the question. What do i do?!


Jessica and keely

[Keely_momma]

Bumping this up, Cause' I am Desperate for help!

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

First of all, she's a terrier, so yes, she's stubborn. Abby, my 7 month old, doesn't want to come when called either, so what I do, even in the fenced in yard is put her harness and lead on her. It's a long lead so I can get a hold of it, even if she runs.
I say here and give the lead a pull. Hopefully she'll catch on eventually.

BTW, you'll get better results with praise than yelling. And NEVER, EVER, EVER let her outside without her leash on....EVER! She will run after a bird, rabbit, person, another dog...anything and might run into traffic or run away. RULE #1, never let a Yorkie off leash outside unless they are in a secure fenced in area!!! The older she gets, the faster she'll run and you won't be able to catch her.

Good Luck

[stellarstarx]

I keep a harness and leash on my Lola at all times when outside. The leash has a long line so she gets a bit of freedom, but when I say "come" and she doesn't I can always give a little tug. She usually gets the picture that she's supposed to come back to me. She's good about listening when we're inside the house, but outside there are so many distractions. Just be patient. That's the best advice I can give really. Patience goes a long way. When she comes to you give her lots of praise. Let her know that she's done exactly what you wanted and you're very proud of her. Go overboard! You want her to think that the best place in the world to be is right next to you.

[Shirlthepearl]

I always have mine on a retractable leash in the park for their safety. A short leash in traffic.

Hugs Shirl x x

[jrincon17]

yes please use a leash, so many stories on here how they just left and got lost or the wrost possible scenario

[Keely_momma]

I dont know why you guys just assumed she wasnt in a fenced in area :S I Dont see how she can runn off when we have double fencing?!

[Angelstarr]

I don't know what most of you think of this but I was told by a trainer to keep a short leash on him even in the house. #1 so that I can catch him when he is being naughty. and #2 when I go to let the other dogs out so that he doesn't dart out the door. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and cannot run to catch him if he runs away. and My hubby is handicapped and cannot run either. I have to say that it has saved Cooper a few times because he will try to get out the door when it is opened. I just step on it and it keeps him from going far. also I have had to dive after him on the porch a couple of times. Had the leash not been there I am sure he would have escaped for sure.

It is rather a pain in the house and I wish it wasn't necessary but eventualy when he is not a puppy anymore I can take it off.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by Keely_momma

I dont know why you guys just assumed she wasnt in a fenced in area :S I Dont see how she can runn off when we have double fencing?!

Sorry didn't mean to offend you, but there have been so many little ones lost or killed by not being on a leash, we are just trying to help prevent that. It happened to me personally.

[YorkieMother]

First you little doll is not stubborn at all. She a normal health little yorkie girl that you have not found the way to turn her on to want to work with you. Welcome to yorkie mother hood... what makes them want to work for you depends on them for some it food. or toys or cuddles or being allowed to do that which they want after doing what you want.

There no reason to go to a class if your willing to work and be consistent at all. It can all be done in the comfort of your home for the length of one TV show and working in the commercial breaks and yes it can be done and for free and fun.

Ready.... go get her best treat and make that what she earns for doing that which you want.. See those little creatures are not out to take over the world or your house or run the car.. . no really they are not out to dominate at all... They just want an easy life and to run things to what good for them which for all living beings is what makes us the most comfortable.

So now what then you have th treats and you go right next. She already works for treat , yup and most dogs do but the hang up is that the treats have gone from a working tool (and treats at tools a means to and end) not a bribe.

So now we switch them from a bride on treat for one action to a tool and get her off them plus we add in toys and
other good things instead of the food.

So first one sit equals one treat.. now we want her to do a two to one... you have a dog hooked on treats so be very loving and help her through withdrawl.... you can hold the treat and get her to sit. then get her back up and ask again but try to have the treat a little more away from nose.... Plus only give it to her if the sit is fast and what you want if not to bad put the treat away. What you want to do is get her working for it not for her to think it mine what ever I do.
OK now you have her sitting on a two to one ration great it still a bribe but this is where is switches for good... now I want you to try three sits for a treat, then go back to one sit one treat, now three sits one treat, now I want you to push it to five sits one treat and then back to one.. Then what you are doing is random reinforcement and she will never guess which sit is the one she will get a treat on.... ok still looking like a bribe that ok cause now we have her on a five to one we go on up the scale slowly till we get her up to ten sits to one treat and cause she hooked on treats this is when we can try to stop treats for every sit and now only give them as an occasional well done wee girl.

Come get a long line not and extend a lead a long line around 10 feet long and you can make them. She on the leash allowed to roam but safe and you can help her come to you if needed, no pulling just and very gentle gathering up of the long line.
Now for come I want you to work letting her go sniff and then asking her to come with a nice treat and lots of happy excited noise once she with you I want you to pat her ,, no treat though at all not yet.. and then let her go sniff.... Her little brain is going to flip out... that Mom just called me and let me go back to what I wanted whats up.. You then become not the person taking her off that which she loves but letting her have it... now come is ok and now you switch it up after a few sections of ok go play after each call. For now you want to go get her if you need to bring her in come should be just fun and freedom... then you add the treats once come is relaxed along with the go sniff and sometimes you go inside and sometimes you go sniff.

Come is always good if she does not come right away do not repeat come call her name and move away see if she will step your way if she does reward that with food and love her up. Even if you have to wait her out comes always good. You need come to work and if she comes after and long time and you tell her bad she not going to come...

Hope this all makes sense and if not there some really good do it yourself dog training books on line by Pat Miller.

JL

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by Keely_momma

I dont know why you guys just assumed she wasnt in a fenced in area :S I Dont see how she can runn off when we have double fencing?!

Just so you are aware I suggest a long line for all dogs working come to start even in a fenced area so that I/we can help them get it right.

JL