Getting Howie To Come

H

Howie

Forums Novice
Good morning

My sheltie - Howie - 2 years old - had him for a month.
We have a cottage and we just spent an hour trying to get Howie to come - he was outside and would not come back in - we tried treats everything - I think he thought we were going to leave him alone in the cottage

Any suggestions - I know he knows his name and the come command
He's very smart

Thanks for your help

Terri
 
I suggest using a leash while outside until you get a firm come. I would practice come with treats while inside. One good way to do this would be have one person call him, treat then another call him, treat etc. So he learns, when called = good rewards! Once he nails this, then let him outside and call him every minute or so then spread it out. Still giving treats. Then build up.
 
just wanted to add, when he is outside call him to you occasionally and release him to play. Don't always make come= fun times over (go inside)
 
Two great suggestions already posted...

However, please, please please, NEVER trust him off leash!
My boy Logan was with me 6 months (although he was 6 years old) and I thought his 'come' was very good...

Then he got spooked and ran away by slipping his lead. I ran towards him calling him along with another gal. I was frantic as he kept running away... he almost darted into a 3 lane highway. :gaah

We eventually got him to directed down a side street when a man in a truck saw what was happening and drove further down the street, pulled into his driveway, ran into his home, grabbed his small white dog... then ran to the sidewalk ahead of Logan an knelt down placing his pup in front of him. Logan finally stopped after a 5 block chase! We grabbed him and I thought I was going to have a heart attack I was so scared.

I was petrified thinking he could have been hit by a car or worse. Until you have a rock solid relationship with your pup PLEASE be careful. If he runs and you cannot catch him it will be an awful situation for you both! :hide
 
I would use 25 or 50 ft parachute cord attached to his collar, when you call him from across the yard, you can pick up the line and help him come to you.
 
Howie

Thank you so much for all your replies.

I would like to try the parachute cord idea.
I believe Howie thinks we are going to leave him alone when we say come.
He cannot be enticed with a treat - I think the command come has a negative feel for him. I have to show him that come doesn't always mean we are leaving him behind.

Terri
 
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