Jack does not come to me when I call him.

[undeterred]

He knows his name. He knows what I want. I took him to the dog park and he got to take a long walk and play with other dogs for over an hour. But in the end when it was time to leave, he took off with another group of dogs when I started heading for the gate. He saw me and made his choice, which was to stay and play. I called him and he ignored me deliberately. I went to the gate and sat. He went to a place where I could not see him. Finally when I could see him again I called him and a few other people started urging him in my direction. He started coming toward me but cut a wide path around me, and went for a drink of water. I went to him, put the leash on him, and took him to the car.

He couldn't care less if I have treats. He wants to play to exhaustion. He does what he wants, when he wants. Inside he seems like a sweet dog who wants to please me, but off leash I am at his mercy.

Suggestions?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Don't take him off his leash until he is trained to come when he's called.

[undeterred]

2. Then he pulls me - he's terrible on the leash.

But you're right, its the only way.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. It's really for his own safety.

If he doesn't come when he's called he might run out in traffic. Can you take him to an obedience class?

[undeterred]

4. He's only off leash only in the huge fenced-in dog parks

so he's not in any danger. I wouldn't trust him off leash in the neighborhood at all because he bolts after squirrels and rabbits and I live on a very busy street. When I am with him in the dog park he's ok most of the time but when there is a critical mass of dogs and he gets distracted he starts to ignore me- well, a lot of the dogs start to ignore their owners. He gets farther and farther away playing and does whatever he wants.

I need to find some outdoor training- all the classes I know about are held in pet stores and my problems with him are outside.

[livetohike]

5. My dogs (both 5.5 years old) still need reinforced

I trained them to come like I trained all of my previous dogs. I get down on one knee with my arms outstretched wide and say, "Murphy come". I still have to do this from time to time if they are preoccupied with sniffing, or squirrel chasing. I learned this technique from "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" by the Monks of New Skete.

It's only been a couple of weeks since you gave him his name right? He'll come around :-).

[lukasahero]

6. Hi undeterred - first time with a Lab?

;) They can be truly willful - and they will play to exhaustion - all the time - for years. :7 Although they're usually described as angels, I think that's only because we owners forget what they were like as adolescents (it's a coping mechanism. ;) )

So, I know you don't know his history but I think you should assume he's had no training and start from scratch. Have you been working with him on the "come" command? You do have to realize you have an older dog and training will require more effort, more time and more consistency than with a very young puppy (see my thread about re-crate training... I'm right there with you!)

Get yourself a 30' lead and work with him somewhere quiet outside (skip the distractions for now). Start small - him 10 feet away until he comes, sits and awaits your instruction each and every time. Then give him 15', then 20' etc.

Then you can start introducing distractions (have a friend or neighbor help you out). Repeat - 10', 15', 20'. Come, sit, wait - every time.

Only then should you take him off-lead and to the doggie park. (You might even consider working with him at the doggie-park before taking him off-lead.)

Not sure what motivates him (with Labs it's usually food but his history will impact that - could be 'the pack', the desire to please, whatever) but that's what you'll want to use to train him.

I would also recommend you never "yell" at him when you're calling him to you, you want to make "being next to you" the most awesome thing ever - the bestest-ever place to be. (I've always found that one hard because, if he's not coming, all you really want to do is just scream "get over here!" - try to resist that urge - it's pretty self-defeating. :) )

Good luck. Have patience. Labs are wonderful, special animals and they are worth the effort but, because they have such angelic reputations, it's easy to think they don't need training. Don't be fooled. This guy's going to get too big to be untrained - for his own safety.

[cate94]

7. that is essentially what I did

I had a fenced yard with a dog who learned how to climb the fence. She was more interested in going for a run than listening to me. I bought myself a 25 foot long rope and put a clip on one end. I didn't hold her, I just let her loose. After playing for a bit, she forgot that she had the lead on.

She went to climb the fence. I called her. She didn't come. I grabbed the lead again, loosely, and called again. She still didn't come. I pulled her gently to me until she was front and center and I praised her for coming to me. A few times of doing this, she came every time I called.

Always remember, no matter how aggravated you are, if you ask them to come to you and they do, praise the dog.

Also, you might want to consider working with the lead a little more. Kind of sounds like your dog thinks it is the alpha. Make sure the dog never walks ahead of you. It can walk beside you or behind. Once you are sure that it accepts you as the boss, I've found that you can relax that "rule".

[undeterred]

11. Yes its my first lab

He is half angel, half devil. I am doing some work with him, but some play time too. I've also talked to some other people at the dog park who've run into the same issue: its so big you're giving them too much freedom. And when its a young, large dog who isn't well trained yet, they take advantage.

So I have to follow him closer. Tonight a bunch of us were around the tables in the middle where there were about 20 dogs playing. Eventually Jack was with one of the female dogs and her owner started walking off on one of the paths with Jack following. I called, he ignored. So I ran after him calling him. Everyone stopped. Jack looked kind of surprised but I leashed him and brought him back to the center. I kept him on the leash for a few minutes. After I let him off I really watched what he was doing. I want him to have fun, I just don't want him to take off. He didn't leave again, and when it was time to go he walked with me off leash.

He's a rescue at least 2 years old, maybe 3, and I've had him for 2 weeks.

[MiniMe]

8. Have you been through an obedience class with him?

Having a formal class helps you as much as it does him, and they can help you with the trouble spots. Even the ones at Pet-Smart are worth going to. I think I read that he is a lab? Yes, labs can be stubborn. Labs, like most other dogs, get selective hearing.

[meow2u3]

9. Are you sure he's a dog?

Or is he really a cat in a dog suit?

[undeterred]

10. ...

I'm sure he's a dog because he hears his name inside and he's in love with the sound of his name.

:rofl:

I am not a cat person but I know they pretty much ignore human speech.

[malta blue]

12. get a long lead and work with him until he comes when called

My dog Luna NEVER came when called off leash, so therefore she was never off leash. She did go to dog parks but it was always a hassle to track her down - and she was the model student in puppy class.

I would get a 25 foot lead and reel Jack in every single time you say his name, reinforce with treats, etc. I never did this with Luna - I was young and really did not understand dog behavior as well as I do now (and I don't claim to be the dog whisperer) but my two dogs now come when I call them (sort of)

[mopinko]

13. he doesn't see you as the pack leader.

have you watched the dog whisperer? he is pretty good. i think he is dead on.
the most important thing is how you feed him- only after you eat, only after he has waited patiently for you to eat, and only after he has followed a command from you to sit or down, and stay.

but a recall tip- after you call, walk in the other direction. backwards if you can, but otherwise, pay as little notice as possible and just go the other way. tell him good dog when he starts in your direction, but keep moving. food rewards are always good.

don't let him walk in front of you, especially on the way to the park. "accidently" trip over him, and head the other way when he starts to get in front of you. if there are gates or doorways that you can use, cut him off so that he has to wait for you to go through first.

maybe get some walking in so he is already tired when you get to the park.

good luck.

[roody]

14. At the Pit Crew training class I attend,

we use one stick of cheese for training. We practice many commands: Look, Leave it, Sit, Stay, Down, and every time the dog complies it gets a tiny piece of the cheese. I usually have some leftover after the class.

[undeterred]

15. This dog is wearing me out.

I know, its up to me to work with him.

Today I took him to the woods. I forgot the leash and I locked myself out of my car. :banghead:

Fortunately some friends with labs were there and he was hanging out with them, learning to swim and playing while I was dealing with the car situation.

But at the end, a person and dog I didn't know came, and he took off with them. Would not come to me. I waited for him to come back around for 10 minutes. Finally he was in view, so I called him. He ran towards me and then right past me. He went to the car and then had to be coaxed into it. I felt like I was dealing with a wild animal.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. Don't let him off the leash until he's trained to come!!

[lukasahero]

17. I have to agree with Ocelot

Work with him on the come command but don't let him off the leash until he comes when he's called - Every. Single. Time.

It's the safest thing for him and the sanest for you.

[undeterred]

18. I miss Harry dog.

[lukasahero]

19. Oh sweetheart, I know, really, I do

If you've been reading my posts, you know I know.

Harry dog was a special boy and you had him for a long, long time.

I had my boy Beau for a long time - he was the most special dog I ever had and every day I realize my sweet little Bella isn't Beau. (Don't hate me for this yet!) She doesn't follow me around the yard waiting for me to finish weeding or planting like Beau would, or lie by my feet while I sat reading. But she is herself a very special little gal.

You had Harry for a very long time and that relationship built over years. It's not fair to expect Jack to be all that Harry was but in time, he will be his own loyal, wonderful little companion. I know from my experience with Labs that he truly has it in him to be one the most special dogs you will every have. He's never going to be Harry dog. He'll be Jack and in time, he will be a wonderful, special dog in his own right.

:hug: I do understand. Give it time. Be gentle with yourself and patient with Jack. You have years ahead of yourselves and a wonderful adventure to share. :hug:

[undeterred]

22. Thank you for saying that.

Right now I am so frustrated I wonder if I got him too soon. Today I did not take him out much and I did not let him off leash, and he pulled me as hard as he could. I worked with him a little bit inside on sitting and staying. He's not dumb, that's for sure. He just seems like he doesn't have much self-control.

My first dog was a 6 week old puppy (border collie/lab) who grew to be 45 lbs. She was very smart and a brat at first, but training a puppy is different.

Harry dog was 5-6 months when I got him (and grew to 70 lbs) so the housebreaking was easy. He formed a strong attachment to me quickly and even though he went through a destructive phase, he was always eager to please. By the time he was fully grown there were no discipline problems. And even though he had health crises the last half of his life it was pure joy to have him as my companion.

So, I've never experienced having a full grown 70 lb dog drag me down the street. He runs MUCH faster than I do, and he can almost pull me down. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body, and he knows I am his only access to the good things like the park and the woods and the walks...

SO, I've got to change this relationship quickly. I am alpha dog.

[Longhorn]

23. You might want to consider getting a Halti or Gentle Leader.

I have Haltis for each of my five dogs and the difference in walking them is amazing! One of the dogs weighs 110 pounds and we could not stop him from pulling but he doesn't pull with the Halti. Petsmart sells them and you can find videos on youtube that give you an idea on how they work. But basically, because the lead attaches under the chin, if they pull against the lead, they end up sitting down!

Good luck!

[roody]

24. The Halti is the thing.

When they pull, they go sideways and you walk the dog around you. You get dizzy if they keep it up, but they get tired of it and tired. I learned this in my Pit Crew class. The dog got worn out. We also stopped a lot, and sat down a few times. All done for cheese and love. How about an obedience class with Jack?

[Muttocracy]

20. one bit of advice I've heard - make sure "come" doesn't mean "come get on leash"

It's good to have them just check in and then go play again, and not only call them at the end of the fun.

Of course, one of my dogs can NEVER be off-leash and the other needs lots of practice ;)

[goddess40]

21. You might need a new word too

Jack might be immune to come, try here or even make something up. Our dogs go nuts for walkies - even when there already on a walk.

We don't have a dog park where I live so could someone tell me if there are dogs that obey other people when they are calling their dogs? That's why police dogs are often trained using Dutch or German so they don't get confused when they're working.