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My border collie has stopped coming to me. When I ask her to come or front she is not listening. She is 10 months and has just started this behaviour. Is this a phase? I have to re-tran her on the front and come here command. She always came before. I am scared to let her loose now. What should I do? This is such a disappointment, and I am not sure how I am going to correct it. I exercise her alot but when it is time to go she will not come, she doesn't know when to stop playing.

It's a combination of adolescence plus the dog being put into situations where she could choose not to come--so she found out that it's optional. Oops.

One thing to try is do not call her to you for 6 weeks unless you have a line on her. Practice recalls with the line, but only a few a day. Six weeks isn't so long, when you think about the length of a dog's life, and how much this behavior can mean.

Keep the line loose, so that she isn't getting directions from it. After all, you don't want her to expect to "feel" the restraint forever. If you do have to tweak her in to you because she tests the theory of not coming when you call, use the line, but get it back loose quickly.

Praise, praise, praise and reward recalls, even though you are guaranteeing them! And do that forever. Always make a dog glad to come to you. All punishments are eliminated at obedience to the come command!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Do you mean not to let her loose for 6 weeks? Are you saying to keep her on leash for the whole 6 weeks until she starts coming again? Poor girl, she is going to miss playing fetch and hiking!!!

>>Do you mean not to let her loose for 6 weeks? Are you saying to keep her on leash for the whole 6 weeks until she starts coming again? Poor girl, she is going to miss playing fetch and hiking!!!

>>>>>>>>>

Do not put her in a situation where you would need to call her for 6 weeks, unless she is wearing a leash or long line (with you holding the other end). She can still fetch and hike, but you will have to handle the line so that it doesn't snap her up.

It is very important that your dog develop the habit of coming when called so strongly that she doesn't even think of not coming. You really do have to train a dog again during adolescence. Puppy training is the puppy brain. Now you are training the adult brain.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I am glad to report that the 6 weeks (on leash) is finally over and the front command is working well. When I say front she runs to me and sits.
I was using the last one command before I would get her on leash again but I found that it could be risky because she knows playtime is over and she gets stubborn so I only use this command inside the house.

Thanks for the update! Nice to know it's working!
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

>>I am glad to report that the 6 weeks (on leash) is finally over and the front command is working well. When I say front she runs to me and sits.
>>I was using the last one command before I would get her on leash again but I found that it could be risky because she knows playtime is over and she gets stubborn so I only use this command inside the house.

>>>>>>>>

Think about some good times to give her after she obeys the command, before ending the fun. Maybe treats for tricks or something of that nature. Good for you, doing this with your dog!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47