Come here!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Thorsmomma · 01-27-2006, 06:57 PM

Can everyone please explain their experience on training their dogs to come. Thor is having major issues with this. I just don't know what to do. He is so good at other tricks/comands but not coming. It's so frustrating!! Any words of wisdom for me please!
Thanks

Jaspermom · 01-27-2006, 07:05 PM

I worked with Wosie with the clicker, and began with sit, then down, then come. I start her from a down position, walk away a few feet, tell her to come, then click and treat when she does. I slowly expanded the distance, and now I go around corners and into other rooms before calling her. Also I have now got her to sit when she gets to me before I click and treat. She's doing well at that, so now I call her to me throughout the day. When she comes to me, I pet and praise her, and sometimes I treat, not always. But it's always one of the happiest things in the world for her to come to me. Never low key, always happy happy happy, and when you tie treats into it, major fun!

Patience and persistence. And treats! Good luck!!

FirstYorkie · 01-28-2006, 03:11 AM

Here's an excellent article on recall training:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti...002/recall.htm
This is how I trained Joey.

alaskayorkie · 01-28-2006, 03:51 AM

I bow to FirstYorkie and others who use a clicker when it comes to training tips (see Joey vids for reason why!), but for the sake of giving you options, here's what I did:

We had a game. I'd go to the park, tell him to "sit," "stay," and have a friend or kid hold him. I'd then walk several paces away, shout "COME, EDDIE, COME," and have the person let go of him. When he reached me, I'd shower him with praise and immediately give him his favorite treat.

Slowly, over a few weeks, I'd go farther and farther away, and eventually even go to where he couldn't see me when I'd shout "come." The goal was to make coming to me his favorite thing in life. I really think it worked. Even today, when I shout come, he literally burns out to get to me (usually!).

In obedience class, they had us have him sit, then we'd walk a pace or two away (sometimes even standing on his leash) and tell him to stay. Then we'd do the animated "COME" with reward. We increased length of time before the 'COME' before we increased distance.

I actually give him a "wait" when I'm going to call him and "stay" when I'm going to return to him, but I've had instructors who think the dogs don't get the distinction.

Don't give up. I think "come" is the most important command you can teach a dog.

alisonJ · 01-28-2006, 04:44 AM

I have been a terrible trainer for Edie, but I thought I would share this. There have been occasions when she got away from me (I have smartened up, and this has not happened for a long time). This is frightening because we live in a high traffic area. At first, when this happened, I would chase her. BIG MISTAKE. She thinks it's a game. Eventually, I learned if I ran away from her, she would follow me. It helps as if you act like you are having a wonderful time and you are going somewhere really FUN.

It always works. My neighbors think I am a moron, but my dog is safe.

FirstYorkie · 01-28-2006, 07:51 AM

Excellent advice, Allison! I've heard trainers recommend the same thing.

One thing I hear repeatedly. NEVER punish a dog for coming to you. Even if it's just come to you after a 4 mile chase in the neighborhood. The dog doesn't know he's being punished for running off. All he knows is that, in the end, he came to you and it was unpleasant. Next time, he'll be harder to catch.

Thorsmomma · 01-28-2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alisonJ

Eventually, I learned if I ran away from her, she would follow me. It helps as if you act like you are having a wonderful time and you are going somewhere really FUN.

It always works. My neighbors think I am a moron, but my dog is safe.

Hilarious!!

Thor is very good as sitting, and staying until I tell him to come. The problems is when he is in the backyard and he gets on a barkikng tanjent or if he were to get out of the frontdoor he is gone, and will come when he feels like it. We live on a huge park and I really like the idea of having someone hold him and then me calling him. Thanks for the advise. I am going to read up on clicker training, so thanks also for those stories. I do agree that 'coming' is the most important, for safety reasons. Also it is important to remeber to always reward them when they come, becuase sometimes when Thor finally comes in from the backyard after barking his head off I just want to screaaaaaaam!! Hopefully I can teach my dog to come. SOmetimes I think he is such a bullhead but then I remember...it's more likely me!

Oh and please share more stories...I am very interested! Thanks

FirstYorkie · 01-28-2006, 08:30 AM

I don't have any good stories, but I have heard someone say that, in an emergency, she laid down on the ground and started wimpering. Pup immediately "came" to investigate.

I know what you mean about the being torn about rewarding them for coming to you when they've been barking. Joey has gotten ALOT better following a "quiet" command, but there are still times... Now, I do one of 2 things in this situation. Instead of calling him to come (which gets a reward), I go pick him up and bring him in. Or, if I do call him to come when he's barking, he still gets a treat, but it's a lower value treat (a piece of kibble as opposed to a tiny bit of cheese).

The link I posted actually doesn't use a clicker to teach come. Instead, it urges you to first say "come" when they are already coming to you (and reward for it). Then, gradually work up to calling from across the room, from another room, etc. Have a look. It worked well for us.
http://www.clickersolutions.com/art...2002/recall.htm

Sherry Lynn · 01-28-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alisonJ

At first, when this happened, I would chase her. BIG MISTAKE. She thinks it's a game. Eventually, I learned if I ran away from her, she would follow me. It helps as if you act like you are having a wonderful time and you are going somewhere really FUN.

It always works. My neighbors think I am a moron, but my dog is safe.

LOL I've been guilty of doing that with my Eskie when she was younger. It took her FOREVER to catch on to the come command! Sometimes we would resort to sending our Sheltie after her. He would catch up to her and sit on her until we could get to her!

She eventually learned and has turned into a really good girl!

BTW, we always use hand signals, too, so that even if you don't say the word come, they see the signal and know what to do.

Muffie's Mom · 01-31-2006, 09:39 AM

The trainer told us to never tell the dog to "come" if you didn't think he'll comply with it. If nothing else, tell the dog to "sit" and you go get him!

We're working on "come" this week on a long leash - a 30'. We start at 12' and tell her come, when she's mastered that one then go to 15', then to 20, then to 25 and finally to 30' when they've mastered the others. They should come to a sit position facing you (in front of you).

Pattie · 01-31-2006, 08:08 PM

When I shopped for things for Chloe before bringing her home, I came across this book called "Training your pint sized companion". I was glad I got it because it saved her life. She also learned most tricks easily but I had problems with the words come & fetch. Once I replaced fetch with "go get it", it went well, but no word replacement worked for come, until we worked on "Watch me". I read the book in parts, but one part explained that the first thing you should teach a pint sized dog is to "watch me" . (quoted from the book)The book explained that "IF a dog is looking at you, it can not fight with another dog, chase a car, bark at a cat, become agressive with a big dog, or any other type of trouble he/she could cause for herself. It is physically impossible, it takes eye contact to any of those things to take place. The book explains how "the "Watch me " command also makes other obedience infinitely easier to teach." It states a dog that is looking at you is more likely to learn what you are teaching or expecting, just as kids are more likely to learn when they watch their teachers." I had a hard time teaching her to come UNTIL after I did the "Watch me" training. It was easy to teach by holding the treat between my eyes, then rewarding her for her looking there. The chapter explained it in more detail but that the basic. After she almost got hit by a bus while visiting in New York, I was forever grateful I learned the "Watch me" with her. AND the Yorkie owner who spoke of NOT RUNNING AFTER OUR BABIES is perfectly right, been there!

Happy Training

Thorsmomma · 01-31-2006, 08:15 PM

Wow that is a good story! Scary incedent though!

I have been working really really hard on come with Thor for just a couple days now. I bought some liver treats that he LOVES! He only gets them when he comes. I think i can tell a differnce in his eagerness to come, but he is just looking for treats...which is a good start I think. I am just having to work really hard with him. I haven't gotten brave enough to take him to the park and let him run to me their, there are too many distractions!

I like the watch me command. I have never heard of it before but I think it is something to really take in consideration!
Thanks to everyone.

Muffie's Mom · 02-01-2006, 03:08 AM

Patti: That was interesting. I'm going to check the book store to see if they have that book.

Also goint to check out Karen Pryor's book called Clicking With Your Dog.

Pattie · 02-01-2006, 05:56 PM

TO THORSMOMMA & MUFFIE'S TOO!

Replying to yours: The book I spoke of is correctly titled "Little Dogs: Training your pint sized companion" by Deborah Wood.. I don't know how much it was cause I never look at $ when it comes to Chloe's stuff but I don't think it was more then $6. or so... The book is pink (snicker - Chloe is a girly girl) BUT I am sure it works on boy dogs too!!! OK I picked it up in Target - it was my first trip ever to the store... Someone left it by the leashes so I don't know if it is normally in the book section OR doggie section. I also bought her this little stuffed purse (also pink) and the purse was bigger then her when I bought it (she wasn't home yet. Both items are the best thing I ever bought. You should see her (still) drag this purse around & has been doing so since she was 810 grams! The purse must be 6 inches long - (like a stuffed animal but it's a purse instead) which of course was longer & fatter then her 6 months ago. And speaking of special treats for the "hard to train times". I buy her these "TRAINER TREATS" by Pedigree in the regular food shopping store. My daughters dogs beg for them but I don't make Chloe share. Her dogs would eat the WHOLE bag for one treat. THESE are "Yorkie

" sized treats and are great for training. I can get Chloe to do anything at all with these treats and they are inexpensive next to other brands, you get a tons of them in the bag and no special trip to the pet store. She will even show her teeth so I can brush them, as long as I tell her she'll get one of these. She likes ALL treats and crumbs BUT will only brush her teeth for these! They are shaped like little tiny, itty bitty 2 tone doggie bones - aside from working great, they are adorable... And by the way, someone here was asking about toothbrushes and I can't remember who, but Chloe uses an infant's toothbrush (my dentist gave her) cause the doggie ones were too big. Too bad he didn't have pink but... Oh well...

Pattie · 02-01-2006, 06:02 PM

Muffie's Mom, I checked out your photos and I couldn't believe how much Missy looks like Chloe. The closest look a like yet! Except now Chloe's hair started growing rapidly this month so her hair is longer. Even tho others says Yorkies all look alike, I don't think so, now that I have one

but in this case..... I don't know, if they played together B4 Chloe's hair grew in, I think we could get them mixed up ha ha

01-27-2006, 06:57 PM	#1
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,177 Blog Entries: 1	Come here!! Can everyone please explain their experience on training their dogs to come. Thor is having major issues with this. I just don't know what to do. He is so good at other tricks/comands but not coming. It's so frustrating!! Any words of wisdom for me please! Thanks __________________ Hannah & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

01-27-2006, 07:05 PM	#2
Jaspermom Yorkies Rock My World! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,720	Call at random I worked with Wosie with the clicker, and began with sit, then down, then come. I start her from a down position, walk away a few feet, tell her to come, then click and treat when she does. I slowly expanded the distance, and now I go around corners and into other rooms before calling her. Also I have now got her to sit when she gets to me before I click and treat. She's doing well at that, so now I call her to me throughout the day. When she comes to me, I pet and praise her, and sometimes I treat, not always. But it's always one of the happiest things in the world for her to come to me. Never low key, always happy happy happy, and when you tie treats into it, major fun! Patience and persistence. And treats! Good luck!! __________________ Glad SSLS Ladybugs RULE! Love my girlies! Wosie Dreama

01-28-2006, 03:11 AM	#3
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Here's an excellent article on recall training: http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti...002/recall.htm This is how I trained Joey. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-28-2006, 03:51 AM	#4
alaskayorkie Banning Thread King Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 15,165 Blog Entries: 34	I bow to FirstYorkie and others who use a clicker when it comes to training tips (see Joey vids for reason why!), but for the sake of giving you options, here's what I did: We had a game. I'd go to the park, tell him to "sit," "stay," and have a friend or kid hold him. I'd then walk several paces away, shout "COME, EDDIE, COME," and have the person let go of him. When he reached me, I'd shower him with praise and immediately give him his favorite treat. Slowly, over a few weeks, I'd go farther and farther away, and eventually even go to where he couldn't see me when I'd shout "come." The goal was to make coming to me his favorite thing in life. I really think it worked. Even today, when I shout come, he literally burns out to get to me (usually!). In obedience class, they had us have him sit, then we'd walk a pace or two away (sometimes even standing on his leash) and tell him to stay. Then we'd do the animated "COME" with reward. We increased length of time before the 'COME' before we increased distance. I actually give him a "wait" when I'm going to call him and "stay" when I'm going to return to him, but I've had instructors who think the dogs don't get the distinction. Don't give up. I think "come" is the most important command you can teach a dog. __________________ Meet Eddie, Jillie and Jack (R.I.P.): www.dogster.com/?159686 YouTube vids: http://www.youtube.com/alaskayorkie

01-28-2006, 07:51 AM	#6
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Excellent advice, Allison! I've heard trainers recommend the same thing. One thing I hear repeatedly. NEVER punish a dog for coming to you. Even if it's just come to you after a 4 mile chase in the neighborhood. The dog doesn't know he's being punished for running off. All he knows is that, in the end, he came to you and it was unpleasant. Next time, he'll be harder to catch. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-28-2006, 04:44 AM	#5
alisonJ YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,559	I have been a terrible trainer for Edie, but I thought I would share this. There have been occasions when she got away from me (I have smartened up, and this has not happened for a long time). This is frightening because we live in a high traffic area. At first, when this happened, I would chase her. BIG MISTAKE. She thinks it's a game. Eventually, I learned if I ran away from her, she would follow me. It helps as if you act like you are having a wonderful time and you are going somewhere really FUN. It always works. My neighbors think I am a moron, but my dog is safe.

01-28-2006, 08:30 AM	#8
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	I don't have any good stories, but I have heard someone say that, in an emergency, she laid down on the ground and started wimpering. Pup immediately "came" to investigate. I know what you mean about the being torn about rewarding them for coming to you when they've been barking. Joey has gotten ALOT better following a "quiet" command, but there are still times... Now, I do one of 2 things in this situation. Instead of calling him to come (which gets a reward), I go pick him up and bring him in. Or, if I do call him to come when he's barking, he still gets a treat, but it's a lower value treat (a piece of kibble as opposed to a tiny bit of cheese). The link I posted actually doesn't use a clicker to teach come. Instead, it urges you to first say "come" when they are already coming to you (and reward for it). Then, gradually work up to calling from across the room, from another room, etc. Have a look. It worked well for us. http://www.clickersolutions.com/art...2002/recall.htm __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-31-2006, 09:39 AM	#10
Muffie's Mom And now Missy's Mom, too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: FL Posts: 1,496	The trainer told us to never tell the dog to "come" if you didn't think he'll comply with it. If nothing else, tell the dog to "sit" and you go get him! We're working on "come" this week on a long leash - a 30'. We start at 12' and tell her come, when she's mastered that one then go to 15', then to 20, then to 25 and finally to 30' when they've mastered the others. They should come to a sit position facing you (in front of you). __________________ Pat...Mom to Muffie & Missy! Our Photos are HERE Missy on Dogster Muffie on Dogster

01-31-2006, 08:08 PM	#11
Pattie Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 701	training When I shopped for things for Chloe before bringing her home, I came across this book called "Training your pint sized companion". I was glad I got it because it saved her life. She also learned most tricks easily but I had problems with the words come & fetch. Once I replaced fetch with "go get it", it went well, but no word replacement worked for come, until we worked on "Watch me". I read the book in parts, but one part explained that the first thing you should teach a pint sized dog is to "watch me" . (quoted from the book)The book explained that "IF a dog is looking at you, it can not fight with another dog, chase a car, bark at a cat, become agressive with a big dog, or any other type of trouble he/she could cause for herself. It is physically impossible, it takes eye contact to any of those things to take place. The book explains how "the "Watch me " command also makes other obedience infinitely easier to teach." It states a dog that is looking at you is more likely to learn what you are teaching or expecting, just as kids are more likely to learn when they watch their teachers." I had a hard time teaching her to come UNTIL after I did the "Watch me" training. It was easy to teach by holding the treat between my eyes, then rewarding her for her looking there. The chapter explained it in more detail but that the basic. After she almost got hit by a bus while visiting in New York, I was forever grateful I learned the "Watch me" with her. AND the Yorkie owner who spoke of NOT RUNNING AFTER OUR BABIES is perfectly right, been there! Happy Training

01-31-2006, 08:15 PM	#12
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,177 Blog Entries: 1	Wow that is a good story! Scary incedent though! I have been working really really hard on come with Thor for just a couple days now. I bought some liver treats that he LOVES! He only gets them when he comes. I think i can tell a differnce in his eagerness to come, but he is just looking for treats...which is a good start I think. I am just having to work really hard with him. I haven't gotten brave enough to take him to the park and let him run to me their, there are too many distractions! I like the watch me command. I have never heard of it before but I think it is something to really take in consideration! Thanks to everyone. __________________ Hannah & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

02-01-2006, 03:08 AM	#13
Muffie's Mom And now Missy's Mom, too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: FL Posts: 1,496	Patti: That was interesting. I'm going to check the book store to see if they have that book. Also goint to check out Karen Pryor's book called Clicking With Your Dog. __________________ Pat...Mom to Muffie & Missy! Our Photos are HERE Missy on Dogster Muffie on Dogster

02-01-2006, 05:56 PM	#14
Pattie Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 701	TO THORSMOMMA & MUFFIE'S TOO! Replying to yours: The book I spoke of is correctly titled "Little Dogs: Training your pint sized companion" by Deborah Wood.. I don't know how much it was cause I never look at $ when it comes to Chloe's stuff but I don't think it was more then $6. or so... The book is pink (snicker - Chloe is a girly girl) BUT I am sure it works on boy dogs too!!! OK I picked it up in Target - it was my first trip ever to the store... Someone left it by the leashes so I don't know if it is normally in the book section OR doggie section. I also bought her this little stuffed purse (also pink) and the purse was bigger then her when I bought it (she wasn't home yet. Both items are the best thing I ever bought. You should see her (still) drag this purse around & has been doing so since she was 810 grams! The purse must be 6 inches long - (like a stuffed animal but it's a purse instead) which of course was longer & fatter then her 6 months ago. And speaking of special treats for the "hard to train times". I buy her these "TRAINER TREATS" by Pedigree in the regular food shopping store. My daughters dogs beg for them but I don't make Chloe share. Her dogs would eat the WHOLE bag for one treat. THESE are "Yorkie " sized treats and are great for training. I can get Chloe to do anything at all with these treats and they are inexpensive next to other brands, you get a tons of them in the bag and no special trip to the pet store. She will even show her teeth so I can brush them, as long as I tell her she'll get one of these. She likes ALL treats and crumbs BUT will only brush her teeth for these! They are shaped like little tiny, itty bitty 2 tone doggie bones - aside from working great, they are adorable... And by the way, someone here was asking about toothbrushes and I can't remember who, but Chloe uses an infant's toothbrush (my dentist gave her) cause the doggie ones were too big. Too bad he didn't have pink but... Oh well...

02-01-2006, 06:02 PM	#15
Pattie Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 701	Totally Off The Subject Muffie's Mom, I checked out your photos and I couldn't believe how much Missy looks like Chloe. The closest look a like yet! Except now Chloe's hair started growing rapidly this month so her hair is longer. Even tho others says Yorkies all look alike, I don't think so, now that I have one but in this case..... I don't know, if they played together B4 Chloe's hair grew in, I think we could get them mixed up ha ha