Jenni I can't believe how alike Boomer and Charlie are - the pulling like a steam train (now sorted) and the recall
Charlie is identical. His recall is fantastic when no-one is there but he is totally deaf around other dogs.
We also have been trying to walk him where it's quiet, initially because of his recovery from his hip replacements and I was worried he'd get hurt but more lately it's because of his rubbish recall.
I think a lot of it with Charlie (and maybe Boomer) is because he has had so long not being allowed out to play with other dogs that it is just sooooooooo exciting.
So I suppose it's wrong keeping him away from other dogs as the excitement when he does see them is all the greater.
This was one reason why we thought about having another pup so that he would be used to playing with another dog, or maybe the pup will just follow Charlie and then I have a problem with 2 dogs!!!!
I found that other post; Recall training It looks like good, practical advice.
The other thing we're planning on doing (but haven't been able to yet due to Boomer's recovery period) is to take her on lots of walks with friends' dogs. Like you said, with being out of action for so long, their socialisation has suffered so they get too excited when they see other dogs.
One thing the trainer suggested yesterday when we had our 1-2-1, which started to work with Danny, but we didn't have any real distractions so it is still to be put to the ultimate test, was to shout "bye" or "see ya" (obviously pick one and stick to it) and walk the other way - that way the dog learns you're going in the other direction when you shout that and "should" in theory come with you... this obviously isn't to be used in isolation, but with other distraction techniques (balls and toys etc.) and a formal re-call command (we use "come") and/or a whistle.
We obviously haven't had much time to try this out, but it seemed like a good idea and started to work for us....Danny picked it up really easily.
I just read your post about Boomer legging it when she saw another dog on the horizon.
This used to happen alot with Sam when he was small - he'd run and follow any other dog around the park (I lost alot of weight catching up with the little imp).
Luckily, there was another woman who came to the park with a Border Collie, same age as Sam and they loved playing together (the Border Collie and Sam - that is)- so much so, that if they wanted to join in some fun at the other end of the park, they would run off together at first.
I realised after a very short while though that Tarn Border Collie and Sam were happy playing together and didn't want to ramble off half as much as when they played alone. They seemed to keep an eye on each other and when there's another owner with you, it helps if you have to leg it fast - at least you can take it in turns!
As for what to do when you shout 'Come' and she eventually decides to return, I should give her lots of praise. After all, what was the LAST thing you asked her to do? Come to you, and she did - so it doesn't make alot of sense to spoil the recall by telling her off for something she did previously. It will only make her confused.
Anyway, I hope you and Boomer can find a playmate soon and maybe she won't be as keen to give you the runaround.
She's got a fair few playmates lined up, but we've had to hold off a bit as she had a hip op in December and her pals are much bigger and rougher than she is
I really like the sound of the weight loss though, maybe I could take my time with recall (only joking!).
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