Hello!

I have a springer spaniel and lets just say he is a very free spirit. He is quite ignorant and often will only come when he is good and ready, choosing to purposely ignore me. This can be quite frustrating when we are having off lead times, or he is playing mind games with me in the backyard. We have tried treats with only marginal success. Has anyone else had any similar issues?


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  • Sorry to hear the struggles you are having. The best thing we found when having any issues was to go right back to the beginning. Start at home indoors with no distractions and call his name, every time he responds he gets a treat. Do this over days so he learns his name is a positive thing and he wants to come when he hears it. Use a lead or rope to help keep him in the area if needed. You build up slowly slowly from this but I’m talking one week for each step. Training takes time but you will get there. Good luck


  • Haha I love a dog that does their own thing, but not always useful for you. Training or a behavioural coach would help give you some tips and tricks


  • Sounds like a free spirit indeed! Sometimes things can just overwhelm them especially if they havent had a lot of exposure or are used to all the sounds and moving things around them all the time. Perhaps you could look at some training to see what steps you can do to change their habits?


  • Our dog will always come when we call her in the yard but if we ever let her off outdoors or she got out, she would not come when called. She will just ignore us as she is to excited. I can’t but think a dog trainer is the way to go.


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