How did you learn your dog to come??

alex2012 · by **alex2012** » Sun Feb 26, 2022 9:34 pm

I have a 7mnth old german shepherd. Went to traing with him but the trainer only taught us how to call him with a whistle?.. That i still havent bought it has to be the one for hunting dogs she said. He can now sit stay etc. Anyways went to beach with him today and there was a stray lab so of cours our one went off after him.. tried calling him back but he wont listen or pay any attention to us!!! So h2b and I ended up chasing him around.... How did u taught your dog to come it seems everyone else's dogs listen and ours won't....

black pearl · by **black pearl** » Thu Mar 08, 2022 8:51 pm

hi alex2012
we did it first with excitement, that doesnt sound right, but take him out to the green or field, and then let him wander and call him back, if he looks but has no interest jump around wave make him want to come back if you get me, if he sees you getting calling him and making a commotion he will want to return as it looks excititng to be back by you, -that prob doesnt sound right when writing it but if i could show u u'd know what i mean. then when he comes back i always gave him a treat, then let him wander again and reward if he comes when u call him, practis first without distractions of other dogs etc, then when he does it cut the reward to every 2nd time, mix it with good boys and cuddles for when he returns, then take him to where there would be distractions and if he comes when u call him give him the treat, over time he will come back when u call him. My key word is here, so i call him by name and hen say here he comes every single time. be definate and loud when u use your key word of come/here whatever u use.

alex2012 · by **alex2012** » Fri Mar 09, 2022 2:23 pm

Thanks Black Pearl

Ive tried that today and the cheeky mutt is not interested in me jumping around unless I've got treats :o0

Im going to try that for a couple of days and throw a command and we'll see

I think I just need to be patient

SorrentoWife · by **SorrentoWife** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 6:05 pm

We did a recall class with our dog last year and it really helped. Basically start with the dog on a long lead and literally throw food away from them and then call them back to you, throw more food, call them back etc. They called this elastic recall as its like the dog is on an elastic band. They also used a clicker. So throw a treat to the right say, once dog has gotten it say 'Dogs name, come here' in a high pitched tone, as soon as dog passes you, click and throw food to the left, call dog, click and throw to the right and so on. Then build up the distance you get them to go and come back.
Also when you're at home play Hide and Seek with him. You or OH hide and then call your dog. ITs great for getting the dog to respond when they hear you calling them and they love the mental stimulation of trying to find you.

Another thing is when you're out and theres loads of distractions you need to make yourself exciting to your dog. So what we do when we're out in Punchestown and our dog is busy chasing birds is to call him and run away. He automatically chases us instead of the birds.

A big thing to note is if every time you cal your dog back you put the lead on, pretty soon they'll cop that being called back means lead on and back home. So get into the habit of calling him and touching/ rubbing his collar so he gets used to being touched there but then gets to run off again. Then when you do want to get lead on it'll be easier and less of a struggle.

Hope some of that helps!

HippyChic · by **HippyChic** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 6:29 pm

We have a German Shepherd too and you'll find they're clever little beggers! :o0

The first thing to make sure of is that your dog knows his name! It sounds really obvious but try it at home, wait until he's not paying attention to you and then say his name and see if he looks up. Our lad now comes over if we even say "the dog" as he knows that means him. Work on his off-lead recall in your own garden, away from distractions and then when he has that down pat you can start working on it in outside the home and garden. Give treats and pets every time he comes back at first, then every second time, until all you're doing is giving him a pat and saying "good boy".

The one thing I will caution you is that German Shepherds are on the restricted breeds list, so technically you're not meant to have him unmuzzled and off lead in ANY public place. Now obviously not everyone abides to these rules, we rarely muzzle our lad as he's a big eejit and is NEVER off the lead in public so we're in control of him all the time. However, if we bring him into the city or a very busy area we will muzzle him, for his safety more than anything else.

I don't want to come across as being mean but until your dog is 100% trustworthy about coming back when called then please, please don't be walking him off the lead. Accidents and fights can happen SO easily and German Shepherds already have a bad enough reputation with the general public. I dread it when I see people with loose dogs of any type coming towards us on walks and have actually gotten into arguments with other owners whose dogs have bolted over to us. I'm very much of the opinion that you shouldn't have a dog off lead that you can't control and by your own description that is exactly what happens with your guy at the moment.

alex2012 · by **alex2012** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 8:51 pm

Thanks girls Im going to try all that and see what works on him best

Definitely will try the elastic recall with him tomorrow when were out on a walk. Thats my first dog ever and its all new to me and h2b isnt much of help even tho he grew up with dogs. He had a gsd mix, rottweiler and boxer before and he said hes never seen a dog like this one!

He knows his name perfectly and calling him in around the house works 100% and the only problem is outside - he just chooses not to listen... We never let him off the lead in public uness were on our own (a field or beach when its empty) and I know what its like when people just let their dogs wonder about.. Im perfectly aware of people being scared of him so I always keep him on short leash in public... and still always feel terrible and keep saying to people walking by that not to worry hes not cross.....Thats another thing hes the friendliest dog ever! great around children ( the whole estate is a fan) and I trust him that he will not cause trouble as he cant even stand up for himself.. hes never growled at any person or animal ever and he often gets bullied by dogs running loose.. wish he could stand up for himself... Hippychic when did your dog mature a bit? Everyone says just wait over the 1 year but hes over 7months now and still behaving like 3.....
And I always thought that having a dog is easier that having children :o0

SorrentoWife · by **SorrentoWife** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 9:21 pm

We have a cocker and its only now that hes calming down! He's 3 in July! We'll have to have a 21st for him :o0

He calmed a little after he was 2 but is much better the past month or 2 so he's finally getting sense.
Not sure with gsd's how long they take to mature and calm down. A lot depends on training etc but some dogs stay puppyish longer than others.

alex2012 · by **alex2012** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 9:39 pm

Hes gorgeous! and looks so cuddly :lvs

You should definitely organise him a 21st and invite his mates :o0

Were starting to wonder did we get a "faulty" gsd... hes nothing like them.. the only thing that proves hes a gsd at the moment is his birth cert :o0

Just have to be patient I guess

alex2012 · by **alex2012** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 9:47 pm

Here's him right now relaxing afrer another hard day :o0

HippyChic · by **HippyChic** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 10:46 pm

OMGLOOKATTHEPUPPYHE'SSOCUTEILOVEHIM!!!!!

Ahem. :-8

Mature? Our dog?? :o0

He's 8 this year and still mad as a box of frogs! He broke his foot last year because he was prancing around like a f*cktard :duh:

Ah no, the worst of it is over by about 2, then it's all down to how much training you've done and of course his personality. Scuba would be extremely friendly too, they're very much people dogs, and yes, he's been on the receiving end of some bad attacks from other dogs in the past. Sure even our 2 cats bully him but he dotes on them and thinks of them as his babies (he used to fuss over them when they were kittens and give them baths :o0

)

I know what you mean about getting a "dud" though, we genuinely did, he has several genetic issues that show his parents should never have been bred but sure we just muddle through with it and keep him as healthy as we can. This is the big handsome head on him :lvs

SorrentoWife · by **SorrentoWife** » Sat Mar 10, 2022 11:01 pm

They're very striking looking dogs! And how adorable is your puppy!! Gorgeous!

alex2012 · by **alex2012** » Sun Mar 11, 2022 6:27 pm

He says thank u very much ladies for all the compliments

Happychic Scuba looks so smart!! Hes beautiful

We have my mums Princess the cat over for 2 weeks and lets just say that she hates him and he loves her so much that even being whacked by her doesnt put him off :o0

We did a bit of training and he is starting to listen and comes for the treats most of the time... This is going to be the biggest test for my patience ever :o0

Who is online