STUBBORN LABARADOODLE

[Jackie Kandarjian]

We love our labradoodle, Quincy, but he can be so stubborn. After being outside for a very long period of time he will not listen to our commands at all. We have an invisible fence around our front yard (a very large area) and it is virtually impossible to get him inside again. We spend hours trying to lure him back inside. He is only 2 and very playful and has tons of energy. We understand that and do play with him, but, what do we do to get him inside again. When we try to grab him he runs the other way so quickly and makes it impossible to catch him. We adopted him about 6 months ago. A young family gave him up and when we got him he had no behavioral training and wasn't neutered. We did both after adopting him. Got him from doodle rescue collective. He did well in school; picked up on his lessons quickly; very smart. Anyone else having this issue and if so would love and appreciate and advice you can offer. Thanks!

[Jackie Kandarjian]

Because of this issue, we usually have him on a very long rope so we can grab him. We are usually watching him or my husband is out there with him. Today, the sitter let him out thinking that it was ok because he had his collar on. She usually lets him out in the yard but today my 4 year old told her we don't let him in the yard because it's very muddy out there. She never did this before so when I pulled up to the house and saw him out I cringed! I have to get him more training....poor dog came to us with nothing. Thanks Adina.

[Adina P]

Jackie, have you ever let him out on a really long leash? Buy a 15-20 foot leash for him and cut off the handle (so it doesn't hook on things in the yard). Then even if he runs...you have 20 feet of line attached to him that you can step on and stop him. Then once he's stopped you can grab the line and reel him to you and praise him and treat him lavishly when he arrives in front of you. One word of warning...be sure you buy a leash or cord or line that won't cut you if it slips out of your hands (just in case you buy something that's not a 'leash' but works otherwise). Some ropes can burn your hands so don't grab it while it's moving. Stop it by stepping on it first. Also don't leave him out unsupervised like that so he doesn't get all tangled up in it somehow.

[Jackie Kandarjian]

Well, it's another day of infruiating Quincy. I came home from work and found that the sitter had let him out in the front yard. He has been out there now for close to 2 hours and nothing works to get him in.My 7 year old son grabbed him but he got dragged through the mud by Quincy who is now 75 lbs. I know we need to get more training. He came to us with NO TRAINING at all and he was 2. He wasn't even neutered so we did that as well. We try to lure him in with chicken which he loves but he is so cleaver and knows what we are trying to do. Anyone know a good trainer in the Morristown area that is reasonable?? Thanks to all for the great advice.....I think it will all work out eventually.

[Adina P]

One more thing... I would change the command to a new word. He's had too much time to consider "COME" as a game/optional thing. Use something different for your real recall. Any word you want. I've heard some people use "Free Beer" as their emergency recall command. Funny and they ONLY say it during training or when they can enforce it for sure. With enough practice, the dog does it automatically.

[Missi]

I definitely agree with everyone else, DO NOT CHASE him, he will automatically run, thinking it is a game. With Lizzie, we had to teach her that she came in when we wanted her to, or she didn't get to come in again until we called. This works since we do have a secure fenced in back yard. Lizzie has been left out in the cold and rain (I know it sounds mean) once when she didn't come in when called. Lizzie's command is "now" and she got lots of treats and a bath (she loves them) when she finally did come in. We also practice outside when she is running off leash. She comes to me when I call, gets lots of love/affection and then gets to continue playing. That way it is not always associated with having to go inside and end the fun. Shaking the treat jar for a bribe works too, if nothing else. :-)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I would keep tasty treats he only gets after playing outside. When getting him to come in, call him. When he comes, give him a treat and put his leash on him. You could give him another treat when he's inside the house as well. I know your frustration with this... Darwin isn't perfect on the come command either! Good luck.

[Linda and Murphy]

One thing our instructor emphasized was DO NOT give a command unless you can enforce it.

Come is one of the hardest and most important. I use extremely high value treats (cheese or cesar dog food) for that and don't use it often. Its more of a safety issue command for us. As mentioned before, don't chase him. Its a game then. I can verify that running away from them works. Murphy would get the zoomies in agility class and 99% of the time this worked. He's 3 and still gets the zoomies but I love his enthusiasm.

Murphy may be a Saints fan but he is definitely a Cheesehead. If Quincy is food motivated at all just find that special treat.

[Kathy Spyker]

Lilly likes her treats, so I just yell "cookie" and she comes running!!=)

[Adina P]

Oh another thought. Also work hard on "sit-stay" -- sometimes if you don't think they'll come to you, if they will sit and stay you can go to them. But again...this requires practice so that he'll do it ANYTIME you ask, not just when he feels like it. There must be an incentive for him too. Either a consequence he doesn't want OR an incredible reward. In any case, keep working with a trainer so you get a method down that works for both of you.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I have special treats that my guys get only when they come when called. They do not get these treats any other time. This works 98% of the time. For the 2% my secret weapon is the door bell. We have one of those wireless door bells with the chimes plugged in upstairs, downstairs and 1 out back. My gang are super greeters and the door bell never fails.