Come

[slleipnir]

Thought I'd just post here :)

I want to train my Zeke to come no matter what. He is VERY well behaved...EXCEPT when he is excited (ie, dogs are around - lets play!!!)

He LOVES to please me, and is really smart. He always does what he is told inside or even out for walks so long as no dogs are there.

The problem is, flyball. I have him in that and he just loves it, but I don't think they'll let me join the club cause he chases other dogs. I guess some dogs are afraid of other dogs? So I really want to train him to listen to ME no matter what. I try to make it fun for him (be really happy, even if he runs off before coming to me) and have treats that he loves. He has come a long way since he started flyball. (he couldn't run in a fenced off area without listening to me at all) and now he will run down the jumps, get the ball and come back (with no fence, running with another dog) HOWEVER if that dog is infront of him, he chases it.

I was told to take him to our dog park on leash and train him to ignore dogs. I see atleast 2 problems there. One, the other dogs would be our way, even if he ignores them, they won't him. and 2, I was told my a trainer that my other dog, Josie, is very dog aggressive because of the dog park. The last thing I want is TWO dog aggressive dogs.

I think it would be important for Zeke to listen to me anyway, but I'd love for him to get into the club. He's a very good boy, and I know he can learn..I just don't know how to do it Any help is appreciated!

Man, I'm really a cruddy owner aren't I? lol

[2dog1cat]

Take him to the park on a 20 or 50 ft lead and let it drag.
Call him every few minutes and every time he comes, he gets a treat, not a normal one but really special treat. When he comes reliably, take the lead off, but still give treats. This is a LONG process (months).

Once he's coming constantly, stop giving the treats occasionly but really praise and cuddle. Now he won't know which time he'll get the treat and which time he won't.

Start using NILIF, "nothing in life is free". It basically means that your dog has to earn everything he gets, from food to going outside. Either sit, lay down, shake a paw, something has to be done, to earn everything. This reaffirms your role as alpha. Google it, this stuff WORKS.

I'm working right now with Misty at the park with ignoring dogs. Her reward is her ball. If the dogs are around her barking (she's not allowed to bark at me) she must lay down and be quiet ignoring the dogs and focusing on me. It is working, but it has taken a couple of months.

Where in Canada are you? In the west, we have a brand of food and treats made by NRG. The treats are to die for!!!!!! my dogs will do anything for one.

Good luck!

[slleipnir]

I'm not so found of our dog park, like I said :( I'd rather not take him there...

I'm in eastern Canada. Never heard of those treats? I just use cheese, timbits or other stuff like that haha

[Shelteez2]

I've heard great things about this method for teaching a recall.

Shirley Chong's Recall Redux (http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/Lesson6.html)

[2dog1cat]

problem is, you've GOT to get him around other dogs. It's impossible to teach him to ignore other distractions if their aren't any.
The treats and food are made here in BC, probably not out your way yet. I'm not a big fan of cheese only cause it tends to clog things up.
Any way you could make a play date with some dogs?

[bckrazy]

aw, Zeke sounds like he's doing really well! I've heard that most dogs do go through this, it's natural, especially for dogs who go to the dog park and play with other dogs often. Our flyball trainer made me take Gonzo to our dog park and practice in the field right next to it. It isn't fair at all to make your dog stay and ignore other dogs, and it totally could make them aggressive toward dogs. Just having that distraction there is enough. I would just practice recall with a long line for 10 minutes or so, then play ball for a while and leave. If you can, get some one else to hold on to Zeke, while you run across the field holding a tug toy, then have them release him when you yell Go. When he comes to you, tug and praise and give him treats if you want. Start at short distances, then increase the distance.

Almost everyone I've met says that running away from your dog and yelling (like a crazy person) is one of the best ways to get a good recall. Practice recall whenever you can during flyball training, and try running him in practice with this method. What I do with Gonzo, is send him over the jumps, and right after he gets the ball and he's coming back, I yell "Gonzyy!" and run the other way, holding his tug out.. he races back, grabs his tug and gets praise. It probably looks really dumb, but it works. Of course, he also still has passing issues (unless he's starting) so I'm not the best advice on this ;) just more hard training and letting him get used to Flyball will help him a lot.

[ginagt]

I agree that you need to be around other dogs to work on the distraction. I think that taking him to the dog park on lead while the other dogs are off lead is a bad idea. Like you said you can't control the other dogs therefore your dog is at a disadvantage. Like was suggested try taking your dog on a long leash to a place where there are dogs but they are not directly in your space. Can you go to a regular park where people walk their dogs and have your dog on a long leash and practice calling him to you. That way you are getting the other dog distraction but you don't have to worry about them coming up to your dog. As he gets better with the distractions go back to the dog park with a friend and in the corner where there are not as many dogs practice calling him to you back and fourth. Start fairly close to each other and as he gets better move farther apart. The key to him coming is to be more exciting than the other dogs, you have to have better treats, love, ball whatever he likes but your has to be better than his surroundings. Good luck.

[slleipnir]

I will try him at the park or out by the HS. Thanks for the suggestions. I'm also going to be taking him to obediance for the extra help around dogs.

[vinjashira]

good luck with your training! :)