[yorkietalkjilly]

I've gotten to the point that I just go pick Tibbe up for things he's not going to like so that the "come" command is associated only with fun things or need-to's and he always get praise and a treat.

For a couple of weeks, I'd just sit with Boncuk in my lap and say his name and "come" in an upbeat voice and stick a treat in his mouth, then praise him when he takes it. Repeat 9 - 10 times. Train like this 2 -3 x a day. After two weeks of this, Boncuk should associate saying his name and the come command with happiness and chicken treats and like the word a lot. It means lovely treats and praise are his right! You've begun imprinting his brain to respond by liking the word "come" again.

Now, after a whole two weeks of the above training and only then, move him about two feet in front of you. Take a piece of chicken from the treat pouch and say his name then "Come" and smile, mark the behavior with a gentle "yes" or "good boy"(don't excite him - he'll bolt away and jump around) and treat him ONLY when he gets as close to you as you'd like and stays there for a full count of 2 seconds. If he veers away or steps back, say "uh oh" in a matter-of-fact voice, look unhappy and turn away from him, no treats. Repeat 9 - 10 times more 2 - 3 x daily, preceding each session with "Let's Play Come!".

At first, he won't stay put but for an instant, if that. This is how training goes, gradually showing a dog what you want and don't want. No rewards or smiles, just unhappy faces, turning away and "uh oh's" every times he moves away or steps back. If he stays put for as long as two seconds, smile, mark it with a "yes" word and treat. Say "stay" and reach down and gently hold him in place at first near you if you must, rewarding him for staying put under your hands, with a big smile and a "yes". Gradually increase the amount of time he stands near you before you treat/reward him, up to as much as 10 - 20 seconds without your hand restraint so that he slowly learns to control himself and stay put for his reward. He'll begin to enjoy the process - working for the payoff.

After each fun session, allow him to relieve himself and play his favorite game.

That's it. If you repeat this process enough times to imprint it on your dog's brain that remaining in place near you after coming to you gets him a big smile, a yes marking word and a treat vs. a scowly face, no treats and you turning away from him, he'll come to prefer the positive, fun outcome, prefer you happy and his food reward. Dogs are smartypants and given the patience and time, they chose to please you and get rewarded if you don't give up on them before they've learned what you want to teach them.