Running Away

[Celeste McCutcheon]

Our doodle is very stubborn and when try to get her to come to us she just runs like she is trouble or has been beaten and then we have a hard time getting her. She has never even gotten a spanking from us so I'm not sure where this behavior is coming from. Is this common with doodles? I really hate the idea of having to put her on a leash everytime we go outside as we live on nearly 20 acres so she is not going anywhere but at the same token it is very frustrating. She loves to be outdoors but I hate the fact she will not obey and I don't know what else to do.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is all puppy stuff.  Join the Puppy Madness and  training groups.  I would get a longe line (can be 20 - 30 feet) and use it for now when you are outside with her.  She will learn to come when called as you train her.  For now when you call her and mean it use a different word from casually calling her and don't mean it so much - i.e. getting her attention.  When you use the 'real' word, make sure you have her attention gently pull her toward you.

[BettyAnn, Holmes & Lucy]

I HATE it too! I'm sure others w/ better trained dogs will have great tips for you. I'm working on it w/ my puppy as well-- sometimes he comes and sometimes he doesn't. Very frustrating. Giving him treats every time he comes and randomly calling him throughout the day, wether we're inside or out, is what I've been told to do. I've even got the kids doing it and sometimes we all take turns calling him and giving him treats. I'm hoping if I'm consistant enough he'll eventually just obey! Good Luck! 

[Wendy and Myla]

Treats, treats, treats!!!!  My Myla still sniffs my pocket when we go for a walk!   I was looking at your page and she seems to be about 16 weeks?  I'm not sure of all of your dynamics, but the first thing we taught Myla when we brought her home was "come" and we would go quite aways from her and then sit and say "come" and she would run towards us and when she reached us we would hug her, cuddle her and of course give her a treat!  She was 8 weeks old so quite a bit younger - maybe give us a bit more info and we can figure it out!

[Ginny Nightingale]

One of my doodles loves to be outside and loves to bark and bark--all I have to do though is crinkle the bag of special treats that i save for coming in the house and she comes running--set up a habit of giving her something very special for just when she comes in--I have sliced lamb lungs---sounds gross but they love them! She hears the bag and runs for the door--can't resist! Also never run after her as this quickly becomes the "chase game" and they all love that one--but you CAN run INTO the house all excited like there is something great going on--woohoo!! She might just run after you to see what it is--close the door and give her a treat and you are all set!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, I agree with Nancy and Wendy. Combine a long line with treats and praise. You need to make returning to you fun and more exciting then all the distractions outside. This is a tough command for dogs  to learn and it takes a LOT of practice to get consistent recall. Not something that happens in a few weeks I'm afraid. But it is important that you set things up (hence the long line) so that she does NOT have an opportunity to disobey. She needs to learn that "come" is not optional.Once you're working with the rope don't repeat the command once it is given. She needs to learn to come the first time she hears it not the fifth or sixth time. One "come" than reel her in and give lots of praise and treats.  Good luck! With patience and time you will have her coming to you whenever she is called.

 Oh, and it sounds from your description of her cowering that she is sensitive and could just be reacting to the tone of your voices. When working with her try to use a calm normal voice and relaxed postures. Try to make training fun for her. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yes, that is a good point Ricki--the whole idea that a puppy is "stubborn" and "won't obey" is a negativity that doesn't work well with training--make it fun and make it POSITIVE! Lots and lots of praise--she wants to please but does not know what you want yet--that takes lots of repetition.

And also there is no one personality for doodles--some are much more playful and willful than others--she is testing you and that is the sign of a smart doodle!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Since she has being having a less than desirable response to the word come you need to use a different word. Quincy thinks come is optional when outside so we use "here" and it works so much better. 

[DJ & Chance]

My pup knows when I have treats in my pocket.  I pat the pocket and he comes running.