Fetch and going inside

[Zeeva]

Zeeva and I played fetch for a good 30 minutes in our iddy biddy backyard today. I never really taught her to play fetch per say. I don't treat her when she brings it back but she does it and seems to enjoy it. The problem is, she loses focus very quickly. Any sound in the ally or the front and she's gone...is there a way to build focus during fetch?

I'm also having trouble getting her to come back inside. She loves the snow. She eats it, digs it, jumps in it, rolls in it...it's cute but after a while I get anxious and want to take her inside. I just worry the longer she's outside the more likely something bad will happen. She stares at me as if I'm insane when I call her. Smokey hates the snow. He does his business and goes inside by himself. If Zeeva sees him going inside and getting a treat, she'll come. But otherwise it's getting worse day by day. It's gotten to the point at which I've to chase her, catch her tail, collar or scruff and bring her inside...help...

:c

[Blanketback]

Uh oh...I think once you start playing the game of "catch me if you can" then the hopes of getting a good recall go out the window. Can you keep a long line on her so that when you call her in, you can calmly enforce the "come" instead of making not coming way more fun?

I noticed with my pup that some toys are so-so, but others are the greatest thing *ever* invented. The flirt pole and the chewber frisbee are his favorites. He doesn't pay attention to anything else when we're playing with either of those 2 toys. Maybe you could experiment with different things to see what keeps her interest?

[Whiteshepherds]

If you know Zeeva will come for treats use that method. Harley's first recall word was chicken. Piper's is cheese. Chasing her is only going to make it worse, she'll think it's a game.

Is there a reason she can't stay outside longer? (can she jump the fence?) Annie loves to be outside. At first it drove me crazy and I kept calling her. I think I felt like if she was in the house I could do what I wanted to do without checking on her every 5 minutes. I spent half my day letting her in and out or saying "not now Annie, go lay down". I finally decided there was no reason she couldn't be out longer. Now she spends most of the day outside. If you can trust Zeeve to be outside alone I'd start letting her stay out there a little longer and see how she does.

Funny that Smokey doesn't like the snow, isn't he a Husky?

[Zeeva]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

If you know Zeeva will come for treats use that method. Harley's first recall word was chicken. Piper's is cheese. Chasing her is only going to make it worse, she'll think it's a game.

Is there a reason she can't stay outside longer? (can she jump the fence?) Annie loves to be outside. At first it drove me crazy and I kept calling her. I think I felt like if she was in the house I could do what I wanted to do without checking on her every 5 minutes. I spent half my day letting her in and out or saying "not now Annie, go lay down". I finally decided there was no reason she couldn't be out longer. Now she spends most of the day outside. If you can trust Zeeve to be outside alone I'd start letting her stay out there a little longer and see how she does.

Funny that Smokey doesn't like the snow, isn't he a Husky?

Zeeva can jump the fence if she gets excited or sees a squirrel. So in no way do I leave her outside unattended. The longer she's outside the more anxious I get. I'm not a fan of long leads in the yard although I do own one. I worry if I put one on her and she jumps the fence, she'll get strangled :c

Yea, Smokey is a husky. He's from Las Vegas so I guess he prefers the heat. He also doesn't like getting wet...

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by Zeeva

Zeeva can jump the fence if she gets excited or sees a squirrel. So in no way do I leave her outside unattended. The longer she's outside the more anxious I get. I'm not a fan of long leads in the yard although I do own one. I worry if I put one on her and she jumps the fence, she'll get strangled :c

If she can jump the fence I see why you won't let her out by herself.