OK, here is my problem. I have an Australian Shepherd bitch that just turned 4 months on the 11th. I thought I was doing a good job with her training. But it seems she has forgotten how to come when I call. She used to without hesitation. She will still sit, lay, stay, beg, heal, chase the livestock and all the rest. I am just having trouble with come! She will run around me in circles. Then get close enough for me to get her but when I reach over to her collar she dodges me and runs around again. After doing this about 3 or 4 times she will finally come. I do still praise her when she finally does come to me since I read that she will only associate punishment with coming and not link it to the running around before hand. I've also tried bribing her with a treat. She will sit nicely and wait for the treat, I try to pick her up before giving it to her and she runs again. She will only run once this way though, letting me pick her up the second time and then I give her the treat. What can I do to combat this problem? Am I just making it worse with my methods of dealing with it? Is this just a phase and how do I handle her till it passes? Am I training her all wrong, what did I do bad? Am I overloading her little brain with too much training too early maybe? Help me please... its all I can do not to lose my patients! (Dont worry I wont I know that would be just aweful!) :O

Thanks in advance,
QT

try giving the treat then send her off again,do this afew times then shes not sure which time she is getting picked up

HI QT

This is a common problem with youngsters and it happened with my BSD bitch who now has a good recall :)

Almost all young dogs, even if they have had a good recall, will go through this stage and it is very frustrating!!!

Steve has suggested a good method, also:

Practice at home giving her a treat after you have grabbed her collar, then send her away. She will eventuallylearn the collar grab is a prelude to good things happening.

Out on a walk, lose her/hide. She will get worried and come looking, then call her and reward.

Get her addicted to a special toy - I can recommend a Kong on a rope. Keep this for special occasions and real good rewards. Chuck it and have tuggies when she comes to you, then send her away.

Dont alwasy put the lead on when you call her, or she will feel you are alwaus curtailing her freedom when you say "come".

Call her to you when you feed her her meal

Practice lots aroudn the house, at least 10 times a day.

Dont call her when she is excited adn playiing with other dogs. Wait til she is looking a bit bored, (keep walking away) then call excitedly and reward with toy or treat.

Make yourself the most exciting thing in her life. More fun than dogs, or smells, or anything on the whole planet ;)

If you use a treat, make it a goodie, not just her kibble/normal food.

Keep on and on practicing.

If she gets really bad, or you lose confidence, put her on a long lead or flexi for a few weeks til you feel you have more control

YOu will get a relliable recall back, but remember she will go through phases until she is a mature bitch and be reassured it happens to us all :)

Hth a bit
Lindsay

"Chase the livestock"??????

He works her Sam:)

Stacey x x x

Sam,
We have dairy cattle that get milked twice a day. The dogs are in the barn during milking to chase the holstiens into there chosen places. Then after they have finished milking they chase each group out the back of the barn. We do this to prevent them from pooing on the cement floors, as that makes it really slick and they will lose footing and fall if they poo on it. This causes injury to the cattle (not to mention frustration due to the fact if a cow falls it lays there and thinks 'oh well, guess I'll just lay here for ever no use trying to get up'. She is only 4 months old I know... but with both our Aussies we took them to the barn since they were 2 months and put them in a calf pen to watch. Then at 3 and half months... poof ... something kicked in and they both knew exactly what to do. She is just starting and the older dog shows her what to do. Its so cute... if she does something wrong or unnecessary (like barking at the brooms :rolleyes: ) he runs up and takes her by the collar and pulls her aside as if to say 'dont do that... it makes you look stupid!' LOL, just never mind he did the same things... sshhhh, just dont tell anyone. ;)

Thank you all for the advice. I am so glad it is just a stage they go through. Will follow your advice and wait it out. She is great at home by the way, no problems here... just when it is time to go home after chores at the folks farm. Guess I'll just have to let her stay and play a little longer.
QT