I know nothing about dogs and training!

Hoof_Prints

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Bit of a strange post, but I have started exercising a friend's Lhasa Apso, she is 1 year old and very sweet, but not at all trained, not even house trained. I can't let her come up the fields with me as she just runs off and she will never come to call. I have never had a dog, but she loves her walks and her owner doesn't have time for her so she sits in the house bored otherwise. Any tips for someone a bit clueless? I don't really have time for doggy training classes or anything like that, just a simple come to call would be nice. At the moment I just take her for a run around the land on the lead, but it would be nice to let her on the yard while I do the jobs.
Thanks!
 

catembi

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My first dog was a 3 year old rescue Rottie, & I too was completely new to training! Mine was house trained but didn't understand sit, stay, come, etc.

I set him up to succeed by 'training' in an enclosed area, so I'd call him from the next room & then make a big fuss of him when he came. Repeated it 2 or 3 times; stopped before he got bored. Then gradually called him from further away, but increased the distance v gradually so that he was more likely to succeed. Lavish praise when he came. Then started doing the same outside. Did similar with 'stay', i.e. just a second or two to start with.

I've found that it's all about repetition, lots of praise & not asking for too much too soon. I used to call him two or three times on walks when I didn't want him just so he would get plenty of practise, and we'd spend a few minutes working on sit-stay on walks.
 

Cinnamontoast

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Harness and longline. Small dogs are prone to tracheal collapse so collars aren't good if she runs then comes to a sudden stop. Teach her a solid recall using the longline (50ft lunge line) and some treats.
 

Moobli

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Firstly, well done to you for taking pity on this dog and giving her the exercise and attention that sound to be lacking in her life. Do you think her owner might consider rehoming her?

Regarding recall training you have already had some good advice. I would begin by training her to recall in the house or in a non-stimulating environment (if outside, then have her on a harness and long line so she can't run away or ignore you). Arm yourself with plenty of small, tasty treats (tiny bits of chicken, hotdog etc are ideal), move a few paces backwards from her and call her in, reward as soon as she comes. Repeat repeat repeat until she is coming first time every time then gradually increase the distance. Once she is reliable in one environment (such as the house), try the same thing in the garden and repeat. When she is reliable in the garden then try it in the fields etc. As has been said, always aim for success so when you first go to a new environment have her on a light line, so you can control her movements and give gentle reminders if she decides to ignore you. Always make sure you have tasty treats initially but you can start phasing them out as her recall becomes more solid.

Good luck. Would you consider taking this wee dog on yourself if the owner decides to rehome?
 

Kaylum

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Yes horse people have the advantage of lunge lines although if she is socialised how I teach recall in pups is with a dog that has reliable recall as the other one will follow so you could do both keep on the lunge line and has a dog that's reliable and eventually take the line away you need to build up a good bond with the dog as well. When she does come to you praise and treat her and hold her collar and say collar good before you let go of her again or put her on the lead and yes get a harness.
 

Laika

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I'd always begin training at home. This is where she will feel most comfortable (added bonus is that she can't do one). I'd do simple retrieving exercises with a toy that she is enthusiastic about, giving her plenty of reward when she comes back to you (both verbal and a meaty little something maybe?). I'd then move her outdoors to a garden and then moving forward to parks etc once you can see that she understands the command.

With dogs, it's always best to put in the ground work with them at home. You have less control of them outdoors and there are a lot more distractions. If this little dog doesn't get walked often, she is probably too excited to sit still and listen.

Maybe getting her out and about on a long lead may be a good idea to create a bond at first?

Tip though, if she runs away, try your best not to run up to her. She might think you're playing a game and run off.
 
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