Steven asks…

My dog won’t come when called, suggestions, PLEASE!?

When my dog escapes or is running around at my dad’s he will not come to me. He thinks it’s a game, like catch me if you can. He won’t come for treats and will chase people and cars. Obviously this is unacceptable and dangerous behavior. When I practice at home in the house he always obeys it’s when we are outside that he just wants to run and run and explore. Any suggestions on how to deal with this?

When he was a pup I took him to training classes at Petsmart and he was great. The trainer said never to punish them when they come back to you….so how do I get him to stop thinking this is a game?

Anna Walker answers:

I don’t know if they taught you this at the obedience class or not, but the one I went to (was also at PetSmart, different store) had us do this:

You will need a large room, or more preferably do it outside in the yard.

First, get a long leash. About 15 to 20 feet in length. Clip it to the dog’s collar or harness. Drop the leash on the ground. Take a toy, preferably a squeaky toy, and squeaky it a couple of times. When you’ve got the dog’s attention, throw the toy across the yard. As the dog runs across the yard, grab the end of the leash off the ground (I’ve always looped it around my wrist), and as the dog runs, pull on it and yell the dog’s name. Say “(Dog’s name), COME!” all the while pulling the leash back towards you, and wrapping it around your arms like you’re coiling up wire or rope on a spool. Once you get the dog back to you, praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this ten to fifteen times a day, within a one-hour period.

Don’t wait for him to get to the toy before pulling him back. The toy is dangerous. The toy is a squirrel or a cat on the other side of the busy highway. Set up a “safety zone”, about halfway between you and the toy. As he gets about halfway to the toy (the safety zone), begin pulling him back. As you pull him, keep repeating the dog’s name and the “come” command. Do this frequently enough and he should get the idea that you want him to come when he is called, no matter what other interesting things are out there.

Make sure the dog knows his name. Take a handful of dog food kibble, and give him a piece. Combine (and later alternate, then phase into) patting his head or scratching his ear. When he takes the piece, say the dog’s name. Do this several times a day. Eventually he will learn his name, expecting a treat or a pet each time.

Sharon asks…

is there any link out there to help me potty train a 9 yr old female, black, doxie?

ok, so my parents built an addon to our house for my grandparent, and shes got a 9 yr old black female doxie. how the heck do you train this dog to go to the bathroom outside. my grandparent is accustomed to catering to this dog by setting up a table cloth for her to do her business on, feeding the dog food from the table, and food from her breakfast. i don’t know the first thing about training a dog, i just see that dog whisperer guy and i wish i had him around. anyway, are there any good links to some informative site on training this older dog, like potty training, coming when called, etc. thanks

Anna Walker answers:

You have a rough road ahead of you. Unless everyone in the household, including your grandparent, follows the same rules, it will be very difficult, if not impossible. Most potty training instructions are geared for puppies. Here are a couple of links:

http://www.training-dogs.com/potty-training-dogs.html

http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Potty%20Training%20Basics.htm

Something that might work, if the dog always goes potty on the table cloth provided, is set the table cloth by a glass door (the dog will need to be able to see the table cloth when it is moved outside). Get it accustomed to going to the bathroom near the door. Then move the table cloth outside the door. Keep a close eye on the dog and make sure it gets outside to potty on the table cloth. When the dog gets use to going outside, move the table cloth away from the door, and keep doing this until you get to the area that the you want the dog to use. When the dog is accustom to the area, fold the table cloth smaller and smaller, until you can remove it.

As far as the rest of the training, I would suggest taking the dog to a class where you can learn with the dog.

Michael asks…

how to train your dog into coming to you for protection?

my dog always listens to me. when i call her name.. BAM!! she’s there. no matter when and where. so i dont even use a leash when we go for walks. she’s always by my side and if she ever wonders off too far i just call her name and she runs over to me, but when ever there is another neighborhood dog or a car approaching or sometimes even other people walking around she’s afraid of them. i understand. but the problem is.. she runs off in a completely different direction of what she’s afraid of. somewhere off all by herself and never comes to me. like she sees me as a friend but not her protecter. even when i call her name she doesn’t come and i have to go to her and she even runs from me. so weird. please help.
umm, for the first person who answered.. what on earth are you talking about? i think you misunderstood the question. my dog is a chihuahua first of all. and when my dog is afraid.. i want her to come to me like a child looks for mommy when they think there is a monster. why in the world would i want my chihuahua to protect me from my next door neighbor???

Anna Walker answers:

I believe I understand your question which is- how to you convey to your dog that when it is scared that it runs to you for safety (protection) as opposed to running away in fear.

The best way to do this is to not let your untrained dog off leash ever.

A trained dog will respond to a recall no matter what. The command is “proofed” under a variety of conditions, which would include things that cause them fear.

Do not have your dog off leash.

That will solve the problem.

Ken asks…

How do you train a dog to fetch?

Ok, serious question. I have taught my dog to sit, stay, lay down, stand and a variety of other things but she will not fetch. I play with her and offer treats when she preforms the way I want and offer lots of love (i.e petting & attention). I normally throw the toy and she will run to get it, pick it up and run off. I call her to come back to me and she drops the toy and comes. I end up going get the toy and showing her thats what I want her to do. However it seems she will not grasp the concept. Is there anything I could do or do some dogs just not fetch??

Anna Walker answers:

Some dogs just don’t fetch.

They don’t see any reason to bring you their “prize”. LOL!

What to do?

Anytime she accidentally comes near you with a toy in her mouth, praise her lavishly (DON’T grab for the toy). She’ll look at you like your insane at first, but she may “get it” that bring over a toy gets her praise.

When she starts doing it on her own, praise her for letting you take the toy.

Gradually, over time, toss the toy a little way away and praise her for chasing it.

ALWAYS praise her for approaching you with a toy.

Laura asks…

How do I Teach My Dogs There Names!!! Both come running when i say one name…?

I have Kira(girl) a chi-weenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund Hybrid) who is almost 2 years old….
And Zeik(boy) a siberian husky who is almost 8months old…

I have been trying to train the dogs.. sit… to focus on me(looks at me for a short time)… lay-down…stay.. and going out side to go to the bathroom insted of on our floor(we got this kind of down pat by using the kennel training method there are some accadents…)

kira is a very hyper dog.. and finds it hard to relax… zeik just fallows what She dose b/c hes still learning but not as hyper as our little dog..

when we train them My hubby and I end up having to go to separate rooms b/c if we call one of the dogs they both come running..and then start playing with eachother insted of wanting to train…

they both have a problem with hopping up on us when we leave when they see us or others… we have tried the no and push them down but when we have guests they just pet them and let them jump on them …. kira is small so the guest say they don’t mind but zeik is a full size dog that isn’t done growing yet… so i’m worried he might hurt them or even me…

well let me know if you have any thing that i should do or start doing thanks… please don’t say stupid stuff..
To OH so “SMART” Skipper

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid

In mythology and iconography:
Hybrid (mythology), a creature combining body parts of two or more species

In biology:
Hybrid (biology), the offspring resulting from cross-breeding of different plants or animals

My dogs where both adopted and spayed and neutered!!!

Kira Is a Family Name.
Zeik was the name of the dog when we adopted him We liked it so much we keep it. ^^

My dogs are not mongrels… they are loveing rescued pets and i’m PROUD to have them as mine and beable to work and live with them

So you need to learn a little more missy before you go harping on someone else pets.
Adopted form New Hope Alliance.

Anna Walker answers:

It may be easier to train them separately for awhile. It may keep the smaller dog from getting more excited. You also need to remain very calm when working with the smaller dog. Keep your voice low…a higher pitch will make her more excited. The main thing to keep in mind is to never give them a treat unless they obey the command. When you are training them to stay down and not jump up on you you can use the leash. That way you can keep your foot on it so they can’t jump up. Say the word down every time they try to jump up. When they obey the down command give them a treat. Same thing with guest….keep them on a leash and tell your guest they are in training and to please not encourage them to jump up. If your guest do not comply with your wishes put the dogs outside in a fenced yard(if you have one), in a crate or another room.

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