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

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.:doh:

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.

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

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.

OMG what a cheeky bugger!!!

Yep a BIG COW BELL!

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

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.