Expert: Jannie Balliett - 2/7/2010

Question
We have a small 14 week-old boxer puppy. She will come when called for a treat. But if she knows you have no treat, she will not come unless she wants, especially outside. She is very smart and has learned many things and is already house-trained. She is too small I think for extensive leash training right now (?), but is there another technique to get her to come on command?

Answer
Since she is just 3 months old- what she is learning is being instilled forever.

You have apparently given her treats when you've called her, used treats to "bribe" her and coax" her, and now she is smart enough to figure out that she will and won't do something unless a treat is involved.

You should save the treats for training purpose only, and reward for special occasions.

You can begin leash training in your fenced in back yard now. The sooner the better.

Use a thin, thin, leash. Like a cat leash since she is so young.

I recommend using a leather collar as well. Boxers are prone to nylon allergies, as well as corn and glutens in foods. They can be allergic to plastics, so use stainless steel water and food bowls.

Practice the leash training in the back yard with a relaxed leash, and tighten when aggressive, like Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisper teaches.

Treat her when she stays and heels and obeys your leash commands. But do not treat her when she doesn't.

Since she is so young, I wouldn't spend more than 15 minutes on leash training at one time. You can train twice a day, or once a day- but no more than 15 minutes. She is a baby and has no attention span but can learn and become accustomed to it now at this early age.

As far as her coming without a treat- continue calling her without using a treat. If she does not come, then pick her up and take her to the exact spot where you called her, and set her down on the floor and repeat "come." Let her associate the word with the action without reward.