training off leash

[Ashley V]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I used this method with my yorkie and it was 100% successful. Now, my yorkie is a bit timid -- I recall trained him so that I could call him back if he started eating something off the ground. His leash broke today and it took me quite a while to notice because he was sticking so close to me. It might be more difficult with a dog that loves to roam. Also, you need to keep the training up regularly, or the dog will mind you less.

Anyway, I took my guy into a park with bacon. He'd wander off a bit, and then when he came back, I would give him a piece of bacon. Pretty soon he was sprinting back to me, to the point where he'd hit himself in the face with the bacon treat. I also gave him a bigger treat if I specifically called for him, rather than him just returning on his own.

I'm definitely going to be training regularly, weather allowing of course. I'm going out everyday with him to a nearby park and going to work with him as soon as this rain lets up some. I'm hoping to have him completely trustworthy off leash by summer, so he can enjoy running free in the warm weather. :-)

I'm doing this for many reasons
a) we've had too many close calls with him running out of the door
b) he's an escape artist
c) running free makes him happy
d) I want him safe
e) I want him to be better trained and to see me as the "leader"

[kinnykins]

we took sophie out last night for her walk along the beach armed this time with tiny pieces of cheese. well i called her to come showing i had cheese and every time she started to get distracted i called and rewarded her and it worked !!! she even ignored a jogger running past (previously chasing them ) for a piece of cheese !! im very pleased , i will do it again tonight and every night till she comes to call , let u all know how progress goes.

[YorkieMother]

I use a long line all the time alway to work recall on new puppies as well as when we go out with my dog at night.

I started my dog on a long line and taught recall.
Now she free to run during the day off line out of a fenced yard as long as she at the first call redirects to me and or comes to me.

I work several ways a whislte is redirect and come into view. I can not see you.
Her name and Come is you had better come a running and now.
Her name is simple a get closer and or make contact as soon as you can after you finish the sniff or pee.
Now on a name and a come if she blows me off and it happens she gets long lined for a few trips and a retry on cleaning up the come when called rule.
It is very possible to train these guys to be off leash and safe in a safe area and still come.

JL

[Kimber44]

Secondary to potty training (95% good) coming when called is a HUGE problem. I am a psychologist and Lily is in the office with me. She will fetch forever and come back for a treat, sit, lay down, shake but COME - she often goes the other way and I have to chase her. REALLY frustrating and dangerous. She has gone out the front door with clients while I'm calling her. Any ideas for inside a building???? I will work on treating every time she comes but I need her to come on command. Outside I wouldn't dare let her off leash - she just bolts (and has a couple times getting out of the car). I tried tying her to my belt for a week but then she just whined which is not acceptable when I'm working. Any quick solutions for whining???? Coming when called inside????

[Ashley V]

Originally Posted by Kimber44

Secondary to potty training (95% good) coming when called is a HUGE problem. I am a psychologist and Lily is in the office with me. She will fetch forever and come back for a treat, sit, lay down, shake but COME - she often goes the other way and I have to chase her. REALLY frustrating and dangerous. She has gone out the front door with clients while I'm calling her. Any ideas for inside a building???? I will work on treating every time she comes but I need her to come on command. Outside I wouldn't dare let her off leash - she just bolts (and has a couple times getting out of the car). I tried tying her to my belt for a week but then she just whined which is not acceptable when I'm working. Any quick solutions for whining???? Coming when called inside????

For coming inside, I would train her to come using the same method but do the recalls inside and outside. Once she learns to come, she will know to do it whether inside or out. For whining/barking, I would tell her "quiet" or "shhh" and reward her the instant she gets quiet. Eventually she'll learn "quiet" means... be quiet.

[PennysMum]

My dog is actually better at COME when we are outside off-leash than she is in the house. We go to the dog park pretty often, and she'll listen to COME just fine there, but at home it is another story.

We used the long lead method to train her to come outside when we decided we wanted to be able to go off-lead at the dog park. We worked at it for several sessions, starting with a leash and increasing to a long length of rope. It really works well.