It Can't Be That Simple!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I hope I don't jinx myself with this post, but one command that we have struggled with here when the Doodles are outside is "COME"! Sure they will come ... when they want to!  AnnaBelle will pretty much always come if it is only her.  However, she looks to see what Lucy decides to do if they are both outside.  So, this week I read (on FB of all places) someone say "I use HERE instead of COME because they seem to hear HERE better than COME.  So, I thought what the heck, let me try it.  100% success over the last two days.  About 30 mins ago I let them both out and they took off to the fence because the boy next door was tossing a football with some little kid.  I was like oh great, now they are going to bark and I'm not going to be able to get them back inside.  So, I tried the "No Bark" a few times and it would last until someone said something and it would start all over again.  They were ok with just the ball being tossed but I guess when one said something to the other they felt like they were talking to them or something.  So, I'm not one to let my dogs just stand outside and bark so I decided they were coming in.  Figuring I was in for a challenge since they were so interested in the football game,  I decided rather than just open the door and call them I would walk out towards where they were at the fence knowing once I was getting close they would take off.  So, about half way out I said "Lucy, AnnaBelle, HERE!"  Holy crap, they both turned around and ran straight to the house.  It can't be that simple!  Of course they have gotten some great treats for their efforts, but I just don't get it.  What is the difference between the two words.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

uh, anyone thinking maybe she did?  Not me of course.  

[Breanna]

I was having a lot of trouble with Crush running away from me when I tried to call her in. I ordered a lead on Amazon to practice with her and keep it on her until she got it down. Before the lead came in the mail, my boyfriend spent a long time practicing with her in the backyard and she responds pretty well now. We say "come here." Today I practiced with her on the lead in the front yard because I am terrified of her getting out and ignoring me when I call her.