Well maybe... by Charlie

I don't have a problem coming to Her when called at all.

She just has to learn how to do it properly.

This morning She had to go out at the beginning of the day and she decided to take me along as I was getting into trouble.
She was upset because I had just killed the Hedgehog with the cap by ripping its back end out, and then I put a hole in my little bed and started to eat the stuffing.

And She said I'd been dragging the Limey Hedgehog into the boot tray and got it full of mud. 
Big Sighs. I think She was ex-has-er-parated with me.

The Dexter Cattle were mooing like crazy. She had moved them from the winter pasture to the mule winter pasture. She said something about moving them to the Forest Pasture in a day after they settled down.

So out we went. She couldn't find my cord but thought it would be just fine.

It was foggy and rainy and the yard was wet.  But She said it was very pretty and she had that camera thing out.

I wasn't impressed, I had trails to find and deer pellets to look out for.

She was looking at tree stuff.

I don't care for tree stuff because I am interested in Ground Stuff.

Like deer poop.

And She thinks it is gross. Dixie says She used to yell at The Morris Dog and holler 'Icky Icky'. Well, She still does. I'm getting the idea that She doesn't think I should nibble on deer poop.

So we are working on something where I am supposed to go to Her when She calls my name.

"Charlie! Come" 
My response is, "Let me think about it."

"Charlie! Come Here!" 
Much more serious sounding. 
My response is, "Well, maybe."

"Charlie!"
Ohhh, just my name. 
My response. "Maybe later!"

And then I hear, "Charl---lie. Come. Now."
And I also hear the rustle of the treat bag.
Finally! She is understanding motivation!

I only get a tiny bit of treat and the rest of the walk I do actually come when called. Mostly.

Well, maybe She will eventually learn.
One can hope, right?

Whistling Dixie...

How do you teach a dog to come when called?

I really did know this answer when I'd gotten Charlie. I'd just forgotten that I did this. I mean, I'd been calling dogs with a whistle from my own lips for so many years I've never even thought about it.
The year I married my husband, he had hound puppies that he wanted me to train for handling. The pups didn't have names and I couldn't help but want to play with them.
I found that a whistle got their attention.

Years later with Morris and other hounds that I raised, I'd do the same.

Dixie excels at coming to a whistle. She has never ignored it. Not ever.

I left the cord at home, but took a rope anyway [in case I have to put one of the rascals on a leash].
I let Dixie loose and Charlie followed. The idea is to let the big dog help the little dog figure out how to come when I called or whistled. Unconsciously I used the whistle anyway. When Charlie isn't paying attention, a sharp whistle brings his head up to find the source.

Charlie was learning two things. Come on the whistle and pay attention to where Dixie was and what she was doing.

Charlie could learn by example. After all, Dixie learned by following my jack russell, Morris.

Rich had a huge concern about Charlie being so small and Dixie being so huge.
Dixie has a very gentle temperament. She is also good with commands and will 'leave it be' if I ask her to.

Here Dixie is with Charlie after he tumbled. He squeaked and she came over to investigate. Finding nothing wrong with the wee one, she trotted off and Charlie followed.

I spent most of my time letting the dogs explore. When they got so far away, I'd simply whistle.

Dixie would turn around and trot to me then sit. Charlie would come on the run. Dixie's 'treat' for this simple command is lots of petting and cooing about how good she is. Charlie got his 'loving up' too. He wagged and wiggled and tried to avoid getting stepped on by Dixie.

Charlie learned a bit more about the creek. He seems to be saying to Dixie, "It is so unfair for you to have such long legs! That water would be up to my chest!"

Here is an example of calling the dogs with a whistle. Both dogs had been sniffing the interesting leaves and rocks when I whistled.

Charlie has to run while Dixie only ambles. But it is a fine sight to see. Both dogs coming without hesitation.

We will have many more short hikes where Dixie teaches Charlie to come and follow. Charlie's confidence is growing like he is.

He is adventurous and has a huge heart.

The whistle really does work. It works so much better than shouting a name at a dog all of the time.
And Dixie is a good training tool to have. She enjoys the outings too. No one loses this way.

Big Dog
Little Dog