[brandyb]

A few weeks ago we started Caesar in an adult dog obedience class. He did puppy kindergarten but a lot of those commands were too hard for a puppy, like stay. He's a puppy he doesn't want to stay! So we're back at it now that he's all grown up. He's getting better at stay now but come is still a work in progress. Last class everyone split up and took another persons dog to the opposite sides of the room and everyone practiced calling their dog. Caesar was the only dog who wouldn't at least make an effort to come. Hubby and I were calling him and he knew something exciting involving him was happening but he didn't know what. His tail was wagging so fast that his whole body was moving and everyone in class started to laugh at how cute it was. Well, everyone except for the trainer. But every day he gets a little better. It's hard for him at class because he is such a social butterfly that he just wants to play with everyone. But at the first class he was the star because he was the only dog who knew sit, lay down, and shake a paw. Well tonight is our 3rd class and I wonder what new activity they'll have us doing. Wish us luck!

 

[Brien]

You're not alone. Bodie doesn't come all the time either. He'll just tilt his head and look at you with a puzzled look on his face. It's something we're aware of and we need to go back and do a refresher with him using the clicker-reward. When we did that during his puppy class he did very good. I just think he's gotten lazy and/or bored.

I do know that our trainer told us to not call the dog to come if you think they're not paying attention or won't come. I think it has to do with not reenforcing the not coming behavior.

 

[Mollys Mom]

I think that the trainer needs to step up and help you with the training issues. Its not like you have an unruly dog, just a beagle!! Molly comes to me very well but not to my husband and definately not to any other human.

I took Andy for his therapy dog certification and he did not know down/stay. The trainer taught him to do it and then worked me thru the process so that I could do it.

 

[theregalbeagle]

Must be a Beagle thing - Regal's recall is horrendous as well. Wonder if Regal and Bodie are related since Regal gives that exact same puzzled look/stare!

During obedience, the first recall lesson was on leash - if they didn't come when called, you took the leash and guided them towards you. The next week it progressed to off leash. Regal was fantastic in class but outside of the ring he can't be trusted.

Similar to what Brien said, when Caesar is walking towards you - reinforce it with the command.

We start Session 2 next week and I plan to REALLY focus on this one. We have a fenced back yard and hopefully the snow will go away and we can get back on practice...

 

[randyc]

Charlie will come full force if I say

Nobody wants a Charlie in the Box

 

[Joe Johnston]

We took Vince to a class and the instuctor gave a look and said Beagle huh?...You know this may not work We left. He's fine...most of the time.

 

[beagletails]

Originally Posted By: randycCharlie will come full force if I say

Nobody wants a Charlie in the Box

That's hilarious. I remember that line very well.

 

[Tucker]

I work on Tucker's come when we are on walks. I put him on a sit then drop the leash and walk away about 30 feet. Then I call him. He does it pretty good if there are no distractions. A while ago I did this at the high school field and when he came he ran past me and started to go home. Luckily there was a dog on the way that he had to stop and sniff so I could catch up. Normally he is good, but sometimes.....

At his obedience class the trainer put some beggin stips in the middle of the floor and had us call him. He was supposed to pass by the treats and come directly to us. The trainer had Tucker go first because she thought if a beagle could do it, all the other dogs could too. The first try was a failure. On the second try she shook a can full of rocks when he went for the treats. On the third time he took a very long detour around the treats because he didn't like that can. The funny thing is everydog after that took a long detour around the treats too. They were watching and knew about that can too.

I didn't like all of the trainers methods, but she had the belief that every breed, even beagles, could learn obedience. She had several shelties that were obedience champions so she did know what she was talking about.

 

[Smeagle]

Daisy's recall at obedience club is 100% - but that is because when we are training, she knows that we are working and that she will get rewards for obeying my commands.

It sounds like you just need to find the right motivation for your dog, and work on getting his focus on you.

What sort of rewards do you give him? Are you using treats, a toy etc? If I train with food I only use high value treats the dog doesn't get at any other time like cooked chicken, sausage, luncheon roll etc.

Using a command to signify when you commence training helps too - I tell Daisy ready to work? in an excited voice before doing any training.

You might also find that it would be helpful if you start teaching the recall command when the dog is still on leash. Walking with your dog in heel, turn around and run backwards whilst calling him to come!. If the dog doesn't follow, you can 'reel' the leash in to get him to follow you.

 

[cheezyridr]

Originally Posted By: randycCharlie will come full force if I say

Nobody wants a Charlie in the Box

hahahaa that's too funny! in my travels when people would ask where i was from i would tell them the land of misfit toys

 

[CarrieD]

Originally Posted By: cheezyridr

Originally Posted By: randycCharlie will come full force if I say

Nobody wants a Charlie in the Box

hahahaa that's too funny! in my travels when people would ask where i was from i would tell them the land of misfit toys

That's a coincidence!

My and my best friend from middle school used to sing 'We're a Couple of MisFits' all the time!

 

[Zookeeper]

Duke did really well in puppy school, except for come. I started doing some oline research last summer and got some really good tips when it comes to the come command.

First of all, they say never to call your dog to come if you are going to discipline him. Come should always be for something positive, otherwise they will hesitate. They said if you're going to discipline the dog, you go to the dog, not the other way around.

Get down to their level when you call them to come. Kneel or squat or sit on the ground and then call them to come. Works much better.

Always give a reward when they come to you. Do not always give a treat. Mix up rewards, some treats, some toys, some good boy positive reinforcement, anything that is some kind of a reward.

We really worked with the beagles with this recall training and it works! I'm not saying it's perfect, Duke and Vi both have a mind of their own and I know when all else fails, the Meaty Bone song will get them running to me. LOL