I'm new to this board. I have had quite a few dogs before and a couple of very good ones. The last two dogs I had were from one specific line and we did not get along at all. I thought I was a good trainer before this, but these dogs have made me rethink everything. They have gone to someone who could do more than I and I have a new pup. This dog is a nephew to the best dog I ever had and I have high hopes. He was born in April and I just got him a month ago. When he arrived he was scared and I worked very hard at bonding him. He and I get along good now and he is a quick learner. The only thing I am worried about is that he does not have a good "come". When I first got him he was timid and almost afraid of people. Now that he is used to us he likes being petted, but if I try to call him to do anything including pet him he will make a bee line the other way. I put a short line on him in my basemant where he couldn't go very far and practiced letting him explore then stepping on the line so he couldn't get away and calling him in. When he wouldn't come I would give a jerk and then release pressure immediately. Then call again until he came tward me or I had to jerk the line again, when he reached me I would give lots of praise and "goodboys". I don't know if this was the best way but it seemed to work. ??? Then I put him on a long line and tied it to me when I did chores. Now he likes to come with to do chores. However, he knows if I drop the line or if it is out of my reach and he will still follow along and have fun, but if I try to call he will turn and go tward the house, which is very aggravating. I follow him all the way to the house and pick up the end of the line and call him and tug once and he will come and I reward him with lots of petting and "goodboys". I don't know how I am going to bridge the gap from long lead to off leash when he is excited and after stock. I thought about a down or sit but what are your reccomendations on what I have done and what I should do?