Selective Hearing
Help! Salley & Lucy Lou |
|
|
| Try saying her name and come all in one word...FIRM. Lucycome! That works for Panda...or if all else fails call her name and run in the opposite direction....they will usually think your playing and coming running toward you......
Best to start training this on a lead with treats...you dont want her off leash and to run into the street.. They are stubborn and DO seem to have selective hearing but they are usually really good food motivated too! |
salley wrote: He will say Lucy and she doesn't acknowledge him. She usually comes to me except when taking a potty break the other day, I called and she simply walked the other direction.
There are 2 things here. Does she know here name and does she understand what "come" means? Dogs don't really comprehend the whole name thing. They don't talk so it is not used in their type of communiation. Their name will mean whatever they have learned to relate it to. You should always use their name in a postive manner. That way when they hear it there will be good connotations around it. You need to decide what you want Lucy to do when you say her name. I suspect you want her to look at you. From there you can proceed to whateve, but her name can mean "look at me". To do this I would play the "Name Game". This is where you sit with Lucy and you hold a tiny treat in each hand. You hole one hand up close to your neck, and the other hand held out to one side. Let her sniff you hand that is held out, but have the treat totally enclosed in your first so she cannot get it. Call her name in a normal fashion. She will probably ignore you for a bit, but keep it up. Just saying her name...She will eventually glance your way or look up at you. As quick as you can you give her the treat that is in your hand up by your neck. Don't say anything, just give it to her fast as lightening...even with a small glance. Then get another treat and start over. What you will eventually get is her to look up at your hand that is by your face, when you call her name. BINGO. Do this often and she will love to play. She wins all the time. Teaching her to "come" in another thing, and until she has a fool-proof recall she should not be allowed to run free. It is very dangerous. Good luck! |
| How old is Lucy? Is she a pup? I'm sure you are aware of this, but deafness can be an issue with sheepdogs. My dog, Oscar, is bilaterally deaf, meaning he can't hear at all, but sheepies can also be unilaterally deaf, meaning they have limited hearing (deaf in one ear, limited hearing in both, etc.). Unilateral deafness is very difficult to diagnose without a BAER test, as the dog will respond to sounds most of the time, depending upon whether or not they are facing the sound with their "good ear".
Having said that, your Lucy most likely has selective hearing!  We taught the "come" command on a 6 foot leash, with tasty treats. We would say the word "come" firmly (and sign it for Oscar), and if he didn't respond, we would gently guide him to us and have him sit directly in front of us, and give him praise and a treat. After much repetition, Oscar associated that command with a treat, so now he responds beautifully to it. It is important to do it on leash in the beginning, as it is the quickest way for the dog to understand what you are asking. Positive reinforcement really worked for us.
And Darcy's suggestion works too!  I was helping a neighbor retrieve her retriever  , and when Murphy stopped to look at me, I stopped and ran the other way. He gave chase and I was able to catch him rather easily. Sometimes you gotta think like a dog...........
Laurie and Oscar |
| And building off of what Oscar's Mom said, my Lucy is almost 13 and I've come to realize, she can no longer hear low tones. She'll respond to a high pitched call but not a regular speaking voice. |
Yes, Lucy is a pup. I like the treat w/ the win-win situation. I take her on 2 walks (2miles each) a day in the country. I say Lucycome on the walk and she follows. She is really good about sticking by my side. It is nice to be able to free walk with her. No traffic etc. She does well with the come command on the walks. I will use the advice on training so potty breaks won't be scary (her getting loose, etc.). This is my 1st oes and I love, love her! I would have an oes farm if I could! You guys are super helpful!
 Thanks!
Lucy's mom |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|