needing help with the command come

[Shawn L. Timm]

Hi,Trish, it's nice to talk to you. I have a two year old springer spainel that we are trying to teach the command "come" she was doing really well at it until fall started and all those neat smells came out. Now we when we tell her to come she totatlly ignores us or doesn't come until we end up screaming. Not something I like. Any advice. We used positive reinforement to train her and used training treats. It's jus not working. Thanks for the help.

Shawn

[Trish McMillan]

Hi Shawn

Ah yes, spaniels. Great noses on those dogs! It sounds like she's learning that "come" doesn't mean anything if smells are around, so I'd start by teaching her a new word, maybe "here". Do it the same way, with super-scrumptious treats (something she gets at no other time, maybe cheese or liverwurst), starting indoors with no distractions.

Next, start adding in distractions. Have someone hold a treat in a closed hand and call her away from that. Then have someone hold a toy, call her off that (don't let her get the distractions!)

I'd also keep her on a long line, and if she doesn't listen, just reel her in like a fish, so she'll learn that the new word is not negotiable. If she is not on a leash and you've said "here" you must go get her. This is a command that can save your dog's life, so you'll want it to be extremely reliable before you think about not rewarding every single one. (Yes, I even reward them if I have to reel the dog in, especially during the learning stages!)

And just remember, winter's on its way and there will be less distractions once everything's frozen (hm, I'm assuming you'r'e from the North, like me!)

[Shawn L. Timm]

That sounds like a good plan. Have to convince the rest of the family to do it- they can be stubborn but I will give it a try! I'm from Nebraska so you never know what the weather will be!