DOG WILL NOT COME - Thinks it's a game!

[mss]

Hi all, Frida is just about 4-months old and is generally doing well with basic commands, except we cannot get her to come! If she is on a leash I can give a tug, offer a treat and it works. If she's not on a leash and I tell her "Come!" it's like a signal to get wild and start darting around every which way (except toward me). EVEN IF I HAVE A TREAT, she, more often than not, will not come. She crouches down like she's going to pounce, barks, gets super playful -- like she's daring us to catch her. If it weren't so maddening it would be cute, but it actually can be infuriating. She runs under furniture and darts around so quickly and we end up having to corner her...it SUCKS. More than that, it worries me about being out and about it with her. I mean, what if she gets off her leash somehow?!? I honesltly don't think she would ever come back. We have tried the treats, we have tried running the other way (this works, actually, until you stop and then she darts back the other way again) and we can't figure it out. HELP!!!

[pugaddiction]

She thinks its a game at this point and she is really young. When she doesn't come, if possible, ignore her but keep the treat in your hand. Go about your business and when she finally comes up to you, treat her right away and then let her go. I suggest that when she has had all her shots that you maybe enroll yourself and her in an obedience class. For the mean time keep her on a leash when you are out. Good luck and have fun.

[MrsGreene]

Good suggestions above. You can also get a very long training leash, even attach a string to the handle to make it longer. When you say "Come!" do it in a high-pitched excited voice, then if she does not come, reel her in life a fish, praise her very excitedly and treat her. Good Frieda! Good come! Keep the sessions short, though, so she does not get bored. But with the really long lead, you can let her run around, then stomp on the end and reel her in, even if she is, say ten feet away.

[Russ]

Tilly has the problem of getting 'locked on' to a target and her entire focus is on it. I have to be very careful outside because she will see something and lock on. Once darting across a somewhat busy street when she locked on to a guy on a bike. Inside she understands but often chooses to ignore commands. I'll Sit when I feel like Sitting. But, regarding her dish, I will have it sitting on the floor fixing it (layers of food, mineral suppliment, ham) and she won't go to it until I give her the hand signal that it's done. I don't have any idea how I taught her that, I think by repetition and she really wants the toppings which are last and the best part :)

When I have her out on the leash she will just plop down and not budge...until I squat down and call her. I can stand and call her until I am blue in the face, but if I squat down and call she comes over almost always on the first call.

Hope you have some success.