hey all,

after reading through 24 pages of the section i still cant find my answer..... ive gota 10 week old staffy and i want to get him to come when i call his name.... not going for world record recall at the moment, jsut want him to come when i call him in the yard....

whats the best way to go about it?

thanks in advanced

At that age the best thing to do is to associate feeding time with his name. Whenever you put his bowl down and he comes running, say his name (but only when he's actually in the act of running towards you!). Once this becomes habit, you can then start calling his name before he's running to the bowl, then give him his dinner.

You can also try clicker training him if he's treat-orientated, so wait till you've got his attention, say his name and click-treat. Progress from there to saying his name, he gives you attention, click-treat.

Don't desensitise his name by saying it constantly to him if he doesn't pay it any attention - you're devaluing the word and it will become background noise to him.

The most important thing is NOT to call him when you know he's going to ignore you. You have to set it up so that he succeeds every time.

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I would also like to add when your pup looks at you say the name and if possible reward.

Helps if the dogs name has a unique sound.

As well as the name association with coming for food, I repeated the dogs names while brushing them.

RESTRAINED RECALLS - friend holds dog, you tempt him, run away, call the dog, friend lets go, reward dog with click (or good boy) and food/toys.

builds speed in recall.

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Cambridge Dog Training School | G3 Dogs
www.g3dogs.com

This game is called stuff a dog.

Take treats, place treat in dogs mouth, when he starts chew say his name. Repeat it. During this exercise change you voice modulation, whisperer, say it louder, shout, say it with happy voice and sad. Just vary it. Stick with it up to 6-8 weeks, 3-5 times per day.

Advantage: because you was vary your voice intonation even shouting dogs name is something nice for him

You want to associate his name with good things. As others have said - food, praise and toys.

Me - I spent all my time just saying his name whenever he looked at me after he knew that much, when he was with the other two - I would call his name first - then the other two and mix it up a little - the other two would come so he would follow - but he'd always look up when his name was called.

he is still a baby give him time he will learn