How to teach "Come!" ????? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

us6inks · 03-22-2008, 06:39 AM

Addie comes if she sees there is a treat/cheese near us, however, we have to put her on the leash before we open the door or pick her up. She has bolted out and ran down the sidewalk. During the last snow, my husband fell 3 times chasing her and she loved every minute of it. We have not done classes yet, but can anyone give me encouragement on how long it takes? I know she is smart, she knows how to work all 6 of us!!

Thanks

dagibbie · 03-22-2008, 06:57 AM

We have basically the same problem. I took our 5 month old for a two mile hour walk and when we got home he bolted out the front door. I am not fast enough to catch him at all. I got him to go into a field of tall grass behind the house and picked up a stick. The loves to run and fetch sticks. He came to me to get the stick and I picked him up. I am hoping that next week I can get him into training classes at the local pet store. When he knows I have a treat he just stays at my feet jumping.

How does your's do on the harness? It is not a fight with him, but he won't help and will not come to me, I have to pick him up to get the harness on.

Suzy · 03-22-2008, 06:58 AM

It takes a little while to teach this-you've got the right idea, to give her treats each time. Start from just a short distance away, with a treat in your hand. Tell her, "COME", and when she does, give her the treat. If she gets easily distracted, or isn't enthused with her treats, up the anti-try cheese, baby carrots, the treats that smell like bacon, etc. And in the beginning, treat EVERY time. That way she'll associate "COME" with TREATS! Once she gets it, move farther away, or randomly call her from another room-carry around a pocket full of treats so you can do this. Sooner or later, she'll catch on. It's difficult to train them sometimes when they're really young-they get distracted easily

Best of luck!

us6inks · 03-22-2008, 07:01 AM

Addie does not help me get the harness on either. I have to hold her and then we lay her on our lap like a baby facing us to fasten it under her belly. Needless to say we leave it on at all times. She does not even really know it's there now. When we first put it on her, she scratched the side of every wall in the house trying to get it off. Once she realized it was on there good, she gave up and now it's just part of her. The bummer was I just painted the walls and the metal put fine grey lines on the walls

, oh well, one day I will touch up the paint.

dagibbie · 03-22-2008, 07:05 AM

Thanks, I will try that. Is being chased and running a lot normal for these little ones? I have never had a dog this active. I would let her out more in the field if she would come when I called her. I am considering getting a 30 foot chain that I can attach so she can run a lot while I am out there with out me trying to keep up. Once the winter is over and the farmer mows the area, the grass won't be so high as to slow him down when he runs and I am afraid that I won't be able to trick him into coming back.

dagibbie · 03-22-2008, 07:08 AM

His harness snapps on the back just were the leash goes on. If I leave it on he can chew it. When I do leave it on, he hides under the curtains or will lay on his pillow and pout. That I don't mind, but I think he could chew it off or get himself hurt while I am at work. Next week I will be looking at different style harnesses for him.

us6inks · 03-22-2008, 07:13 AM

I am with you on the coming back part. Addie is so happy running down the street and she knows we are chasing her and she seems to think it is a game. It is so frustrating and unsafe. I will continue working on Come, but she literally looks to see if I have anything to give her. She decides then if she wants to come!! AAGGHH!

Suzy · 03-22-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by us6inks

I am with you on the coming back part. Addie is so happy running down the street and she knows we are chasing her and she seems to think it is a game. It is so frustrating and unsafe. I will continue working on Come, but she literally looks to see if I have anything to give her. She decides then if she wants to come!! AAGGHH!

Right....but you've got to make it a priority to have something on you that she wants

At least until she gets it-and then she should come back for nothing. Then you reward some of the time with treats and of course you tell her how good she is and pet her etc. each time. If you are consistent, and practice for 3-4 sessions per day (not more than 5-10 minutes each-it's too much for puppies), she will catch on.

mistyinca · 03-22-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by us6inks

I am with you on the coming back part. Addie is so happy running down the street and she knows we are chasing her and she seems to think it is a game. It is so frustrating and unsafe. I will continue working on Come, but she literally looks to see if I have anything to give her. She decides then if she wants to come!! AAGGHH!

When we were in training classes with Chloe, that is one thing we were told was to NOT chase because they do think its a game, and they like playing it.

Dogs "learn" by conditioning. Basically it is teaching them to make a response that is almost instinctual. With anything you're teaching, if the treat or reward is something positive, they kind of "write" it on their brains, and after repeatedly doing it, they will almost not be able to stop themselves from responding correctly.

One thing we were told is that with "come" is that when you say it, they must never be punished otherwise, they will never come.

us6inks · 03-22-2008, 02:30 PM

I have practiced since this morning and she is doing great. We will keep on working. Thanks everyone!!

catser2002 · 03-22-2008, 02:52 PM

When we were working on come our trainer would stress that you should make coming back to you most wonderful thing in the world for your dog. It can take more time and effort if you have a dog who is a runner but it can be done with lots of reinforcement. We have had runners before so I know how difficult it can be. Fortunately Archie and Willie aren't runners.

Our trainer had us start by giving them lots of treats --- not really more per se rather their usual treats in tiny bits (so they think they're getting more) and over the top affection and praise. Lots and lots of love and treats. Gradually reduce the treats to the point where they will come just for the praise (some dogs may never get to that point).

She had them progress with longer and longer leads to come while in direct sight of you then work to calling them when they can't see you -- like from another room. That took my two a lot of practice.

Practice a lot. She also stressed not chasing them unless absolutely necessary. Good luck.

4doggiemama · 03-23-2008, 05:15 AM

Out of my 4, I have one that is a bolter. Chasing only makes it worse. The only reason I have been able to catch him is that I have gotten down on the ground and acted like I was going to play with him. One time it was even in the mud.

I do the treat thing with "come" but when he is loose he is so happy---bounds with tail straight up and ears back--- that a treat doesn't even register.

These little Yorkies can have such stubborn streaks.

Not too long ago I bought 4 ex-pens to connect together and put them out our patio door which is where he escapes from. (DH hasn't had time to put up a fence which will cost around $6,000.) Still don't trust him. Know it is just a matter of time before he figures out how to climb the fence. I'm out there every second with him. Well, hawks are another reason.

Mom to Hot Rod · 03-23-2008, 06:28 AM

Mine used to be good about coming. In puppy class he was too busy looking around at everything. I've been just having him come to me for treats without having to do something to him-i.e., bath, bed, etc.. I'd read that they associate that and they don't want to come.

sallen15 · 03-24-2008, 07:28 AM

I took lucy to a clicker-training puppy class and we practiced calling the dogs name (no more than twice) and when they came to your side you clicked and gave a treat. Eventually they will learn. All we have to do is call Lucy now and she comes right to our side.

Rae Rae · 03-24-2008, 07:31 AM

Rocky and Bella learned this command in their class, before that it was one of the commands I had no luck with!

The teacher would hold Rocky and Bella at one end of an isle by their leash, then I would walk down the end of the isle, say "Come Rocky!" and she would let him go, then he would run to me. They picked up really good on it, and now if I'm upstairs and their downstairs and I say "Come Rocky/Bella" they usually will with no problems. Just takes a lot of repeating, and she said whenever you call them to come make sure you have a treat so they will be better at this command.

03-22-2008, 06:39 AM	#1
us6inks Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 34	How to teach "Come!" ????? Addie comes if she sees there is a treat/cheese near us, however, we have to put her on the leash before we open the door or pick her up. She has bolted out and ran down the sidewalk. During the last snow, my husband fell 3 times chasing her and she loved every minute of it. We have not done classes yet, but can anyone give me encouragement on how long it takes? I know she is smart, she knows how to work all 6 of us!! Thanks __________________ Mommy to Addie Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

03-22-2008, 06:58 AM	#3
Suzy 2 Pups=Double Trouble! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,581	It takes a little while to teach this-you've got the right idea, to give her treats each time. Start from just a short distance away, with a treat in your hand. Tell her, "COME", and when she does, give her the treat. If she gets easily distracted, or isn't enthused with her treats, up the anti-try cheese, baby carrots, the treats that smell like bacon, etc. And in the beginning, treat EVERY time. That way she'll associate "COME" with TREATS! Once she gets it, move farther away, or randomly call her from another room-carry around a pocket full of treats so you can do this. Sooner or later, she'll catch on. It's difficult to train them sometimes when they're really young-they get distracted easily Best of luck! __________________ Suzy Emma & Milli What's better than loving a yorkie? Loving two yorkies! Milli 's Remi!

03-22-2008, 07:01 AM	#4
us6inks Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 34	Addie does not help me get the harness on either. I have to hold her and then we lay her on our lap like a baby facing us to fasten it under her belly. Needless to say we leave it on at all times. She does not even really know it's there now. When we first put it on her, she scratched the side of every wall in the house trying to get it off. Once she realized it was on there good, she gave up and now it's just part of her. The bummer was I just painted the walls and the metal put fine grey lines on the walls , oh well, one day I will touch up the paint. __________________ Mommy to Addie Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

03-22-2008, 07:13 AM	#7
us6inks Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 34	I am with you on the coming back part. Addie is so happy running down the street and she knows we are chasing her and she seems to think it is a game. It is so frustrating and unsafe. I will continue working on Come, but she literally looks to see if I have anything to give her. She decides then if she wants to come!! AAGGHH! __________________ Mommy to Addie Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

03-22-2008, 02:30 PM	#10
us6inks Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 34	I have practiced since this morning and she is doing great. We will keep on working. Thanks everyone!! __________________ Mommy to Addie Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

03-22-2008, 06:57 AM	#2
dagibbie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 170	We have basically the same problem. I took our 5 month old for a two mile hour walk and when we got home he bolted out the front door. I am not fast enough to catch him at all. I got him to go into a field of tall grass behind the house and picked up a stick. The loves to run and fetch sticks. He came to me to get the stick and I picked him up. I am hoping that next week I can get him into training classes at the local pet store. When he knows I have a treat he just stays at my feet jumping. How does your's do on the harness? It is not a fight with him, but he won't help and will not come to me, I have to pick him up to get the harness on.

03-22-2008, 07:05 AM	#5
dagibbie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 170	Thanks, I will try that. Is being chased and running a lot normal for these little ones? I have never had a dog this active. I would let her out more in the field if she would come when I called her. I am considering getting a 30 foot chain that I can attach so she can run a lot while I am out there with out me trying to keep up. Once the winter is over and the farmer mows the area, the grass won't be so high as to slow him down when he runs and I am afraid that I won't be able to trick him into coming back.

03-22-2008, 07:08 AM	#6
dagibbie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 170	His harness snapps on the back just were the leash goes on. If I leave it on he can chew it. When I do leave it on, he hides under the curtains or will lay on his pillow and pout. That I don't mind, but I think he could chew it off or get himself hurt while I am at work. Next week I will be looking at different style harnesses for him.

03-22-2008, 02:52 PM	#11
catser2002 Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 186	When we were working on come our trainer would stress that you should make coming back to you most wonderful thing in the world for your dog. It can take more time and effort if you have a dog who is a runner but it can be done with lots of reinforcement. We have had runners before so I know how difficult it can be. Fortunately Archie and Willie aren't runners. Our trainer had us start by giving them lots of treats --- not really more per se rather their usual treats in tiny bits (so they think they're getting more) and over the top affection and praise. Lots and lots of love and treats. Gradually reduce the treats to the point where they will come just for the praise (some dogs may never get to that point). She had them progress with longer and longer leads to come while in direct sight of you then work to calling them when they can't see you -- like from another room. That took my two a lot of practice. Practice a lot. She also stressed not chasing them unless absolutely necessary. Good luck.

03-23-2008, 05:15 AM	#12
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,289	Out of my 4, I have one that is a bolter. Chasing only makes it worse. The only reason I have been able to catch him is that I have gotten down on the ground and acted like I was going to play with him. One time it was even in the mud. I do the treat thing with "come" but when he is loose he is so happy---bounds with tail straight up and ears back--- that a treat doesn't even register. These little Yorkies can have such stubborn streaks. Not too long ago I bought 4 ex-pens to connect together and put them out our patio door which is where he escapes from. (DH hasn't had time to put up a fence which will cost around $6,000.) Still don't trust him. Know it is just a matter of time before he figures out how to climb the fence. I'm out there every second with him. Well, hawks are another reason. __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):

03-23-2008, 06:28 AM	#13
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	Mine used to be good about coming. In puppy class he was too busy looking around at everything. I've been just having him come to me for treats without having to do something to him-i.e., bath, bed, etc.. I'd read that they associate that and they don't want to come. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

03-24-2008, 07:28 AM	#14
sallen15 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Posts: 410	I took lucy to a clicker-training puppy class and we practiced calling the dogs name (no more than twice) and when they came to your side you clicked and gave a treat. Eventually they will learn. All we have to do is call Lucy now and she comes right to our side. __________________ I MY LITTLE LUCY GOOSE! Dogster Profile: dogster.com/dogs/599542

03-24-2008, 07:31 AM	#15
Rae Rae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,823	Rocky and Bella learned this command in their class, before that it was one of the commands I had no luck with! The teacher would hold Rocky and Bella at one end of an isle by their leash, then I would walk down the end of the isle, say "Come Rocky!" and she would let him go, then he would run to me. They picked up really good on it, and now if I'm upstairs and their downstairs and I say "Come Rocky/Bella" they usually will with no problems. Just takes a lot of repeating, and she said whenever you call them to come make sure you have a treat so they will be better at this command. __________________ Owned by Rocky and Bella