Well, I'll try this again. AOL kicked me off just as I was doing this.
You might consider using cat treats to coax the dog inside. The favorite at my house and with many other dogs I've worked with is Pounce Drumstix (chicken and turkey flavors in one treat). It's amazing what dogs will do for this treat. I see two options to the "won't come out of the yard" problems:
A. When you're in a hurry, put her out on a tie-out so you can get her back in more readily. Also, feed her after she's been out so you can show her her feed bowl and encourage her to come eat. This should help on the mornings you are not "dressed" for public viewing.
Option B: I would recommend getting a long lead, such as is used in training field dogs (about 20-30' long) and let her out on it while you stay at the door. Make sure she doesn't get tangled on anything. Then, after she's had time to potty and play a bit, call her in. If she responds immediately, great. Praise and treat. If not, use the long line to "reel" her in, praising vocally all the time she's coming. After a while, when she's responding well to the long line, switch to a light line (like clothesline) and start again. This way, she is less aware of the line and thinks she's free. Also, do you ever do obedience work with her in the yard? It is a way to reinforce the idea that no matter where she is, you are to be obeyed, first time, every time. The trick is to make it more fun for her to come in than anything she finds outside, including the cats or birds or blowing leaves. If necessary, you may just have to take her lead out and hook her up. Always make the trip to the house exciting and fun so she comes to believe that that's the place to be. I've been known to throw on shoes and a long coat and the public eye be darned. My dogs learn that ignoring me is not an option and coming in is great. As I said before, too, only say "come" once. You can encourage her by using "let's go" and such like, but not "come". Use a high pitched voice (baby voice -- you know the kind) and clap your hands and get really excited/exciting and she'll soon get the idea. I hope all this helps.
One last thought: when you go out after her, call her to heel like you would if you were in class or wherever you normally train. This is where working off-lead helps. If you haven't gotten that far, start in the house and call her to heel occasionally and heel her around the house. Then release her. Then, carry the work to the back yard and with a combination of work and consistent patience, she'll be the best dog around.




[This message has been edited by ktreva52 (edited November 25, 2000).]