I just bought a Toy Poodle that is 3 months old. It is afraid to come to me or my boyfriend or anyone. Once you get it, it will let you hold it and it will love it, but other than that it will run from you!
By Sarah
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Try some 'treat therapy'. Every time you call to the puppy and it doesn't come to you, go to it with a nice small treat - give it to the puppy and praise loudly whilst petting and saying the dog's name over and over coupled with the praise words 'Oh Ruff, what a good baby you are Ruff!
It shouldn't take long with a puppy that age to have it looking for treats every time it hears you say it's name - so keep giving a small treat, praise, and reinforce that with repetitions of the name.
Not long after that you'll find the dog answers to their name and comes straight to you - always have a little treat and lavish praise ready!
Over time you can gradually cut out the constant treats for just the praise - the praise should always be loud, lavish, and enthusiastic. Even when your puppy is pushing twenty:)
Of course, doing this will teach your dog that you are the font of all good things, which is good, of course. But it also might teach your dog that all people are wonderful like you and that can be a not-so-good thing.
So to take your training sessions that extra safety step - consider finding and following good training guides (library, bookstore, vet recommendations) and a training course to really put the finishing touches on helping your new companion to completely adjust.
Put him on a leash, give him the command to come. Gently tug on the leash, and pull him towards you. Give him bountiful praise, have a huge party. Treats are great too. Don't ever punish him for coming, no matter what.
Use treats! Be calm, be patient, and let her come to you. There are two reasons she might run - she thinks it's a game or she's afraid. If you chase her to pick her up that's not going to change :) Instead be calm and soothing. Come down to her level and don't push her. Give her a treat if she comes to you (you might even have to start with the treat on the floor in front of you). This teaches her that coming to you is rewarding! Slowly phase out the treat and she'll be coming when you call like a champ.
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