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Ok, Lily is begining to know her name, some times she will listen to you and sometimes she won't.  Just like a little child.  What habbit I am afraid is forming is evertime I call her and she does not come to me I begin walking over to her saying "Lily Come".  Boom, she takes off running and it becomes like a game to her.  I chase her all around the house trying to catch her.  She plays this game with our other dog Chandler but I do not want it to become a habit with me.  What do I do to make her stop this type of behaivor with me?  Help

Delina


Volkerding
Answer -
Hi Delina!

YOU are getting trained by your pup and didn't even realize it.  Let's turn that around!

Get some small treats (like Cheerios or whatever cereal you have in the pantry) and sit in the family room.  Call Chandler to you and give him a treat.  Lily will come with him.  Say her name and give her a treat.  You need to do this a few times a week to teach her the name with a positive association and coming to you.  Please try to resist the urge to chase her because that's a puppy game she wants you to play with her.

I would start leash training with her now.  Get a collar and leash, if needed, make it a spike collar.  The first lesson is to get her used to the collar and the lead.  The second lesson is for her to look at you when you say her name.  You will work up to sit and all the other lessons.  

Your local pet supply store may have free classes on Saturdays that can help you with leash training.  The books I recomended previously also are good for helping with the lead training.

Hope that helps!

'sneezes
Dave

Ok, I will try the cherrios thing.  I have gotten her a small collar that she has already gotten used to.  First I put the leash on her and just let her bounce around and get really mad cause she couln't go anywhere.  Finally she relized she can't go anywere and I slowly began to walk with her around my house (several times a week).  Litle by little she seemed to ease up and walk with me.  The other day was our first day to take a walk "outside" on the side walk.  She did pretty well.  I kept her close to me on my left side and tried to walk a nice steady space.  I made sure I did the walking of the dog and not the dog walking of the person.  Of course there were some feet weaving but that should taper off in time.  She was very startled by alot of the sound around her but I did not baby her.  I just let her stand and see that those things would not hurt her.  I want her to be a very confident dog.  How is all this for a start?  

Also, is it ok to put Chandler up sometimes so I can get some one on one time with Lily.  She doesn't even notice me when he is around.  They are constanty playing.

Thanks for the help
Delina

Answer
Hi Delina!

Ok, it sounds as if you are doing everything as you should.  It is just fine to put Chandler up for training time with Lily.  It is also ok to baby her some, talk to her and tell her when she is being good as you walk with her.   Make sure to reinforce positively and get her to associate commands with her actions: tell her "Good Girl!  Heel.  Good Girl" when she is walking with you.

I am very glad to hear that Chandler has taken to her so well.  Let me know if you have any other quesitons.

'sneezes
Dave