Is there any way to make my puppy listen better?

Question

I know she's just a pup at 4 months (17 weeks) she KNOWS her name very well but she always ignores me!

if she's busy sniffing around the house and I call her to bring her outside or to get her inside the house or something she doesn't come!

I don't want to use treats for this method, that just makes her wants treats all the time.

thanks

Answer 1

you need to make your self more interesting to your dog then having a good sniff around when you call her crouch down and open your arms you could even show her a toy to play with as a award for coming to you if all else fails go up to her and take her inside after a while she should realize that if she does not come when she is called you will only come and get her anyway good luck x

Answer 2

Maybe she doesn't take you as the leader of the pack? Maybe you should talk to her in a sweet little voice. Also, you should eat before she does and show her that you are eating. Then give the bits to her.

Answer 3

You need to sound and act authoritative. For example, say "come here" with conviction. If that doesn't work, try walking away as you say "come here." Usually, your puppy will want to follow you.

And yes, she is "just a puppy" so she hasn't really respected you yet. Make her sit whenever she wants your attention, before she gets her food, before you put on her leash, etc.

Answer 4

She's a puppy.  That's what they do.  The more you call her without her responding, the more she's learning that she doesn't have to listen to you.  So if you're in a situation where she's *probably* not going to listen.... don't call her.

Why don't you want to use treats???   You don't have to use anything special, just her kibble will work.  The point is to start with treats, and that gets her into the HABIT of coming to you.  ALWAYS be happy and give lots of praise when she comes to you.  Sure, she comes because she wants a treat... but she's a dog!  That's normal!  The more you practice with her the more she'll get into the habit of responding.  Then you slowly phase out the treats.

Other than that, you could use a leash.... but then you'll be PULLING her towards you whenever you call her.  There's still no reward in it for her, and she'll figure out that she only has to listen when she's leashed.  With treats, she WANTS to come to you.  That's the behavior that you are trying to teach.

Be patient with her.  Recall is definitely one of the hardest things to teach.

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/view_te...

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ADD:

OK -- you start using treats the first couple times and then you stop and she stops coming.  I don't think you read my above post correctly.  You have to GRADUALLY phase out the treats.  You also have to be giving her praise EVERY time she comes.  You can't give her a treat 3 times and expect her to ALWAYS come to you no matter what.  It takes a LOT of time, which you couldn't possibly have spent because your puppy is only 4 months old.  It might be closer to a year old by the time she's got a 100% proofed recall.... But YOU have to be patient and consistent with training.

Answer 5

Practice!Practice!Practice! Consistency is also the answer. When you take her out make sure u leash her up and when u say "come" pull the leash to u and when she goes to u say good dog good dog..u have to do this several time..and practice with her eventually she'll get it..she might not understand the "come" command because every time when she refuse to go to you then you'll go to her so she might think that "come" means u going to her. the reason why I suggest practicing with the leash is because u have control of her to pull her back when you say "come" (we learn that when i took my westie to school) my westie is like that too..stubborn! but it took me 3 days about 5 min a day to practice shake with him now he knows how to do it..they are not stupid but just needs practice. now he don't even need treats and he'll shake when I say so...

consistency is very very important

Answer 6

Try clicker training- it does involve treats for alittle bit.  My dogs come to me the instinct i click on our clicker (get it from PEtsmart you can put it on your keychain) When you have your puppy's attention (preferably sitting)- click the clicker and hand your puppy a treat- everytime you click for a week.  So after a week, when you use the clicker your puppy will come thinking its getting a treat, but replace it for praise.  Worked for my 2 dogs- it may or may not work for you

good luck!

Answer 7

Keep her on a leash at all time when you have her out doors and you can also keep her on a leash inside until she learns to come. Purchase a 25ft training lead. When you want her to come you tug on the leash and call her name and when she comes to you you do need to give her a treat. Thats how dogs learn, thru motivation. If you dont motivate her with food then she has no reason to listen to you.

You need to do some more researcg on training. Your dog is in the learning phase of training. A dog must repeat a command at least 30 times before they learn it. If your pup is "obbssesed" with food you need to use this to your advantage. Dogs dont just suddenly learn things you have to teach her. She needs to learn that every time you call her name something good will happen and for her that some thing good is obviously food.