Thanks! This is good advice. I have 2 other dogs (not Chis) that I trained to
come when called. I did this by doing what you said and rewarding them
everytime they came to me. I have to remind myself that, even though
Chihuahuas are tiny, they still think like the big dogs do, LOL! I will try
what you suggested. It is true that most of the times I pick her up is when I
am putting her in her play pen and then leaving her. Duh, no wonder she
doesn't want to come to me! I will start getting her to come to me at other
times when she is just getting love and/or treats so that she knows coming to
me means good stuff, too.
Stef
and Miss Cricket
fudwmn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
This should be a pretty easy one!
Your problem is very similar to big dog owners having a hard
time "catching" their dog or getting them to come when called.
It is all about motivation! If you only call her and pick her up
(not come to jump in the lap for love type of coming) when it is time
to crate, playpen, or go into the kitchen, she has no motivation to
come to you. It isn't fun!
So, make coming to you a game. Sometimes she goes to the playpen,
but most of the time she gets picked up to play with her favorite
toys or get a training treat of some sort. Mostly she needs to be
excited about being picked up by YOU! Because you are the most fun
thing in her life.
I take my kids to some soccer fields less than a 1/4 mile walk from
my place. I let them run off lead there. My female runs around like
a madwoman, but no matter where she is on the field, I can say her
name and drop my hand and point at the ground in front of me and she
will turn and run to sit in front of me. I don't always carry
treats, so if I don't have treats, I make a big deal of her success
and send her to go play again. That way the recall from play does
not mean a negative thing.
You can also teach her to jump up into your arms. My male won't do
this. I am teaching my female by kneeling down on one knee and
having her jump on the thigh of the other. She then gets lots of
kisses, petting, and/or treats. It makes coming to you just another
game to play.
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