Quote:
Originally Posted by TeacupLove  I have had my Yorkie (parker) for three months now. I love him to death he is my baby!! He is 5 months old and the biggest lovebug ever!! I am planning on taking him to obedience class starting next month, but until then I need some help. He doesn't listen one bit. My biggest problem is I cant get him to come when I need him to! Today was the last straw for me.
My parents usually babysit Parker when I go to work, but on Sundays I take him to work with me while they go to church and then they come get him. I decided to stop at Dunkin's on my way to work. When I pulled up to the drive through and started rolling down my window he waited until it was half way down, and then jumped out of the car!! he ran all over the parking lot of the GoGo Gas station in front of all the cars. I was frantic of course, but he thought it was just a game and kept running away!! I had no clue what to do so I just got back into my car and he came running because he thought I was going to leave him. We live out in the middle of nowhere so I let him run around our driveway when I leave for work and he always runs to me when I get in the car. Well, I placed my order and drove up and when the girl at the window asked me if I was ok I just broke down crying. It's frustrating enough that my baby doesn't ever listen (even though he gets punished) but it's the fact that he has put himself in harms way (more than once) that is so stressful. I just don't know what to do with him.
Obviously, in the car I'm either getting him a doggy seatbelt or putting him in his carrier but for other instances just at the house I need him to start obeying.
Anyone have any advice for me it would be awesome.
Oh and please ignore my username I know there is no such thing as a "teacup" puppy, I just think little dogs are cute. I know how people are very litteral around this forum lol. |
I noticed one thing in your original post. Recall training is perhaps the single most important behavior that requires positive reinforcement. Whatever you do and no matter how frustrated you are don't punish him or even scold him when you do finally get him. Use a very happy voice when you call him. As others have said, use a long tether for safety and wait for him to come to you. Whenever he does make it very positive. Have a little party with treats. If it isn't rewarding to come to you (even if he's been running around like a little monster) he's not going to do it. Also, a trick that I use that works (most of the time) is call his name in a very happy voice and then run
away from him. He will likely come running to see where you are going. When he does, give him a treat and happy, happy praise.
Also, I never have mine in the car unrestrained - usually in their crate buckled in with a seat belt. It lets me focus on driving.
