Training a bullie to come to its name- help needed

Jbird

Seriously, has anyone had any luck training their bully to actually come to you when they are called. I have more luck getting mine to come to the sound of the refrigerator door opening, which is often how I put her to bed at night. Any tips?

JParanee

I have found Bull Terriers very easy to train

I am coming from Dogo Argentinos so maybe that's why

My bullies listen extremely well and by the time they were 6 months old I could run them off lead in the woods and they always recall

Start with basic obiedience and teach them the basics than move to a long line to work your recalls

Nala

In Jane killions book "when pigs fly", she suggests "charging up" a clicker by saying your dogs name, clicking then feeding a bite size treat in quick succession 20 times. She says to do this twice a day, for three days and the dog will learn his/her name and respond to it when called. This worked for me so give it a try.

Nick_462

From day one, every time my bully would turn her back to walk out of my sight I would call her name and tell her to come. My yard doesn't have a fence so this command has become priority, I did not use treats or a clicker. You have to assert your dominance with the bully breed.
Good luck

Jbird

Great, I'll give it a go. Thanks.

Jbird

@JParanee I run Terra off lead in the woods. She recalls if I call her some 10 times. If there is another dog or person I would have to pounce and catch her because I would have 0 chance of achieving a recall.

I've had kelpies and dobermans and have never had a problem with a dog who didn't come to the 'first' call of their name. Both of these are working breeds though.

I've done a fair bit of basic obedience, in professional schools. She knows the basics (but not a recall). Had said that, I still have to say 'sit' 4 times every time I feed her before she does. She wants the treats but on her terms and is reluctant to 'work' for it.

She's very much the teenager. When she is in trouble she huffs, puffs and rolls her eyes.

I don't believe asserting 'dominance' is the issue. She knows her place and her body language displays this. I'm also not remotely scared of her. She never jumps up on me (because she knows it's a big no with me), but she does with the other two men who live in my house. I think she views my brother as a litter mate. She's a hell of a lot calmer with me than anyone else, but it's because I don't let her get away with certain things that could ultimately hurt her or someone else.

I've got a great temperament dog, not an ounce of aggression (even in the face of aggression). But this reluctance to do what she's told due to what seems like laziness or rebellion really get to me.

JParanee

I understand

If I may suggest repeating commands let's them know they can hear it numerous times before they are ready to listen

Try to only give a command once

Since she knows the command work the long line

Go from the long line to an e collar

Used correctly stim collars are a wonderful tool

My dogs go from treats as pups to long lines till I'm sure they understand the recall than to electric than nothing

If you would like detailed steps on using e collars ask and I'll be glad to help

I only use them to train recalls and their use has given my dogs ultimate freedom

When I pick up a collar they run and sit at my feet to get it on

They don't relate to it as anything but fun and freedom

These days after 1 recall if they don't respond a simple tone alert brings them fly9mg back to a big smile and praise

I never need to stim them anymore and that was by 7 or 8 months of age

BulliesofNC

Jbird

Funny stuff Steve! Hahahahahah. Cracks me up.

I'm going to give all these ideas a go. I'll research long lines before I check that I'm doing it right.

corey90260

I have taught all my dogs the command touch and they will come to this word faster than their names . 95% of the time I have a treat in my hand when I say this word especially with 9month old Mackenzie with the other 2 (9 and 10 years old ) no treat is necessary. We started this because we camp/hike a lot and when it is safe we will let the 2 older dogs off leash ,Mackenzie has a while to go before she is off leash but it does work when she is in the yard and I want her to come in the house .

kstorck

@JParanee I am so glad you mentioned an e collar! I have trained my girl (in process I should say) with an e collar and professional trainers. I know there is fierce opinions on e collars and i had my concerns as well but it has been an amazing training tool. And now after about 4 months with it it is really only necessary in very distracting situations. She comes running when the collar come out, wagging her tail and stands patiently while I fasten it on her. Even with the collar she can be stubborn when she wants but she knows what she is being asked to do and that is one thing the collar has been so helpful with.

JParanee

There is no question

E collars when used correctly are wonderful tools

Anyone that has ever worked bird dogs and or any other hunting dog you need to control knows the benefits of e collars

People that don't like them don't understand how to use them

When my Dogo Argentinos started disappearing on our hikes and while hunting I reached out to the one community that can take high drive animals out into strange country and let them do their thing and that's the hunting crowd

They taught me to properly use an e collar and the freedom it really gives your dog

After a dog learns you rarely if ever need to stim them

I mean I can go months and years and than it's not a hard shock it's just enough to break their preey drive or hard focus and get them to recall

I use it for nothing other than recalls

As you mentioned the love their collars and whine to put them on

I have colors that also have a beep function

I n using these dogs as woods companions and to track if need be

When they get to far out a quick ease up command and my be a beep and that's lol they need to get their attention

When used correctly there is no better way to Expierence the outdoors in a safe way by being able to control them

If I lived in the city and didn't use my dogs to free run I don't think I'd need to meaning I wouldn't use one to teach basic obiedience but for hiking into the mountains etc they are wonderful

Looking to get some gps tracking e collars in future