Dog behavior solutions: Not coming when called

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When dogs fail to come when called their behavior falls into one of two categories: active or passive disobedience. With passive disobedience, the dog doesn't come and it isn't doing much else besides. Instead it simply stands, sits or lies down and watches its owner call. Either the dog is apprehensive of approaching (a major temperament emergency), or it fails to see the relevance of the owner's request and simply can not be bothered (a minor training emergency). With active disobedience, however, not only does the dog not come, but also, it has a darn good time not coming. This is a major training emergency.

Why dogs don't come: Apprehensiveness

If your dog is apprehensive of coming when called, there is only one reason... You! Take yet another look in the mirror. Your dog is afraid of you or of what you have done to it in the past - probably intentionally punishing the dog for coming when called. Whatever the reason, just solve the problem right away. Even though apprehensiveness is a dire temperament emergency, take your time. Get sweet and get small. Keep backing up and calling the dog, tossing food treats if necessary. Once the dog approaches to take food from your hand, practice the 'grab tests'. Build your dog's confidence, and its so-called obedience problem will disappear.

Why dogs don't come: Irrelevance

Your dog understands what you want it to do but it just does not see the point. Also, your dog may be tired, bored, or lethargic. For large dogs especially, it is a big deal to get up and lumber towards the owner. When they get there, it better be worthwhile. Well, it wasn't! And now the dog is on strike. The dog came when called many times before, but nothing ever happened. Perhaps the owner even practiced recalls to the point of utter boredom. This problem is so common; this is what training is all about. I would say that 95% of a successful training program should comprise not just teaching dogs what we want them to do but teaching them why they should do it! The solution is to revamp the relevancy training program (see sections on Play Recalls and Life Rewards).

If your dog does not come, give it a reason to come. Tell it to "Hustle," back up quickly and cause some kind of disturbance - rattle the furniture, bang on the door, kick the dog's food bowl or drop to the ground, kick you feet in the air and let out an eerie maniacal wail. The idea is to get your dog's attention, and so do something attention-getting. [Continued]

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“Help my new puppy loves to run around but will not come unless you get very upset. Hope having her fixed will help this.” — teddy bear, Jun 17 2008

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