How to teach him to answer........

[storm]

I have just spent a nerve racking 10 mins trying to find Zac, I thought he had escaped the yard I was calling him frantically but with no answer or noise I thought he may have climbed the gate & taken off. I searched in the cupboards calling out very loud, but nothing, I ended up phoning Ursula, cos I was so panicky, Angel had just woken & I went & got her & changed her come out here & he was gone! Locked front screen, locked gates no Zac.
Well, the little so & so was in his brothers room, playing in his ps2 games. Now he cant open the doors yet, so I didn't even think to go in there!! (obviously he can now)
I think I have 500 new grey hairs .
How can I teach him to answer me when he is called, I know he probably knew he was being naughty & didn't want to get sprung, but how can I teach him?
Gosh if this ever happens again I think I would keel over.

[MantaRay]

Oh Storm, how terrifying for you. That is always so scary! Hugs to you sweetie.

I think the key is practice. With Jack, we started it as a game, and every few days, even if we know where he is, we will practice is - DH or I call "Jack" and he has to answer "Yes Mummy" (or Daddy!). He now knows to do it every time, but it took time. Just re-inforce it over and over and they get it eventually.

[~Jo~]

Great idea Mel..its what weve been doing with Sammy too for the same reason.

Jo, OMG I would have freaked out!! We have a gate at the front of our property that HAS to be closed or I think Sammy might wonder off. He has wanted to check the mail on his own at times arrrgh. Im so glad hes ok though!

Jo

[storm]

I've tried to do that with him Mel, sometimes he plays other times he just smiles at me.Or says gone.Maybe I will try doing it all the time & see if he will learn it like your Jack did then.
Me thiks I need to put a bell on him.......

Yep Jo horrified...... thought I was gonna pass out. Tears streaming down my face & all. Little crappy pants he is.So glad he was inside though & not off on an adventure down the street or something.

[Tracey]

OMG what a cheeky bugger!!!

Yep a BIG COW BELL!

Thank goodness he's OK & not out wandering!!!!

[{sarah}]

We play a silly game in the car where I say Zander, he says mummy, Zander, mummy, Zander etc etc and I think that helped a bit because when I used to call for him he'd say mummy!! Now he's so used to me asking if he's ok when I call out that I call his name & the response is "I ok mummy". Like the others say it's pretty much practice practice practice.