My chihuahua has a hard time listening to me sometimes when i tell her to come...help!!?

Question

She is 3 years old. She listens very well when i tell her to sit, stay, wait...etc...i leave her off the leash when i take her for a walk because she stays right by my ankle and we live in a subdivision...but i have a huge front yard and backyard...she has never left the yard, but i don't have a fenced in yard either....when i take her to the bathroom, after she is done, i will tell her to come but sometimes she wont.

Answer 1

My little guy does the same thing!  I think it is just them trying to show you that they are in control.  They are very devious dogs!

Answer 2

Good heavens, sounds as if you have the best trained, most obedient chihuahua in the history of the breed - and you want more???

This is a living, thinking, feeling animal, stop trying to turn her into a wind up toy or robot and give her a little slack to do her own thing now and then.

Lighten up, chis are strictly companions, they aren't working dogs that need to obey commands all the time.

I have 5 dachsies and foster more - they obey basically, but I sure wouldn't want to depress their spirits completely by expecting absolute, unconditional obedience, give them a little independence when it isn't a critical area.

Enjoy the little guy - but I sure wouldn't leave her off leash like that, suppose another dog comes barreling over?

Suppose she sees something and runs off?   Dangerous - keep her on leash in unfenced areas.

Answer 3

Even tho the dog does well walking in the neighborhood off lead, she could run out in front of a car to chase a cat or squirrel and get hit. She could also be hurt by a dog in the neighborhood. I think walking her on a lead all of the time is best. If she won't come to you in the backyard, you can try a long, light line, so that you have control. Be sure to praise her when she does come- many folks call the dog, get angry when the dog is slow to come, and then punish the dog. It's no wonder they don't want to come. Maybe the yard is an area that the dog has claimed as her own. Who knows. I do think a light line will help. Remember to be consistent and praise her as often as possible.