Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:03 pm Post subject: Recall - again :S
Hi all,
I did post this on the bottom of someone else's similar thread but it seemed rude.
Jet won't come back if there's something better to do, or he wants to finish his sniff! It started about 6 weeks ago at the tender age of 5 1/2 months and since then he's more or less been permanently on a long line. Can anyone tell me how I get him to come back immediately, even in the midst of distractions?
We also had a problem last week in that he set off to see a pair of dogs in the distance despite my giving him the recall, which he ignored. (It's the chase instinct that seems to override my recall most). Unfortunately the two great big guard dogs were on leads because they become aggressive with other dogs. The owner was yelling at Jet to get away and fortunately managed to keep control over them until I could get to him, but I was so embarrassed not to be able to control him. The bloke kept telling me I shouldn't have him off the lead (even though the land belongs to the school I work for and loads of other people have off-lead dogs). Now I'm really nervous of letting him off in case he sees another dog and won't come back again. I almost wish they'd frightened a bit of sense into him, but no such luck.
So, and apologies again for the long post, but I have two problems:
1. Not coming back when distracted, and
2. Not coming back immediately.
I was expecting this but not expecting to have him on a long line for the rest of time! How long does it normally take? Can you please remind me what I should be doing, just so that I can check I'm doing it right?
Many thanks
A.
____________ Before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes... That way, when you criticise them, you´re a mile away, and you have their shoes!
This is one I will watch I am lucky up to now Max will not run off but does not always come when called or on the whistle it really drives me but he is good he never runs off to other dogs when called.
He did it last week at the beech never came straight away when called so I went and got him put him straight on the lead and off the beech.
I would not keep him on the lead try practicing his recall in a quiet area away from distraction then move on to when walking with a friend and another dog and increase it slowly.
I am sure people with a lot more knowledge and experience will be along soon to help
Cheryl
____________
Max my shadow
Luther 1994-2008 I will see you at the bridge sweetie
One life Live it
I'm no expert but i trained my 3 year old in the house ( when he was a pup ) with a dog whistle. Every time i blew the whistle then called his name softly i would hold my arms out and when he came he would get a treat. Then i moved to doing this out in the field behind our house where there are no distractions. Sometimes he would get a treat sometimes no treat. After about 4 times in the field we didn't need the whistle anymore all i do now is hold my arms out and he comes running. I don't take treats anymore either.
the other thing i do is always take a walkies toy with me. The special toy that only comes on walks. Ours is a black and white squeaky ball. He loves this and plays fetch. He is more interested in playing with this than anything, and i mean anything.
It's finding a way to focus the dog on you, getting them almost obsessed with knowing where you are all the time, just in case that treat is coming or the toy is going to be thrown.
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:04 pm Post subject: recall
Having the same problem with my 10 month old lab alphie, I am constantly on the look out for other dogs as if i miss one hes a dot in the distance. I try to not get angry but its embarrasing as my other dog is a perfect example of what a well trained lab is supposed to look like, people just look at me as if to say well do something and i im trying i have tried everything i know so we are going back to basics and starting puppy training from the start again, boring but hes worth it. He has selective hearing haha when i feel my self getting angry all i do is count to 10 and smile. THATS DOG TRAINING FOR YOU . They all go through stages they are like kids but cute but hang in there you are not alone.
I would keep him on a long line while you practice, first with no distractions e.g. at home, then in a park with no one around then with a dog/people far away then when playing and so on. It might help to have two people and call him to each of you and also to get him shuttle running from one to another, take extra special treats so he knows that you are the most exciting brilliant fantastic thing in the world. At first I would keep him on the long line and if he doesn't come then you either make him come by reeling him in or you go and get him, don't allow him to learn that he has a choice - come is an order not an option! If he ignores come already you could condition him to a new word and/or a whistle. Practice practice practice, sadly I think its the only answer.
Hmm... thank you for the thoughts. Had more success with puffed beef jerky this morning. Will keep on it. Nice to know I'm not alone!
x
____________ Before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes... That way, when you criticise them, you´re a mile away, and you have their shoes!
Hi, Millie was exactly the same at that age. We bought a whistle which worked sometimes when we were out with her. She too used to be a absolute nightmare we dreaded taking her out sometimes. Now at 3 years old she is a changed dog. We got her interested in a frisbee toy about a year ago and she thinks more about that then any other dog that she meets. It does get better over time.
Hi, we have this problems too, big time. Max is very food orientated and not bothered by toys, but even tasty new treats don't cut it with outside distractions. We went out with about six people and seven dogs the other day, and that level of attraction was enough to keep him with us. Anything less, and it seems he is open to adopting all and sundry - human or dog. Last week I asked a couple with a dog if they would mind if I walked off calling Max, and if they were ok that he would stay with them for a while but would hopefully come when I called his bluff and kept going. Off I went, squeaking, calling "what's this" which means something really good is on offer, and I walked and walked, and in the end I just had to go back as I could have gone home and he'd be none the wiser. Also, there's a limit that kind strangers are willing to put up with my pup joining them for a walk! Even when I was back in eyesite he stuck two fingers up at me and ignored me. I have never been so restrained as I was when I finally got him back - I know telling him off would be pointless.
We are going back to basics, so practicing at home more, long line for very open parks where he can leg it for a dot on the horizon, off lead when we are on paths/woods where we can keep going out of sight, with us playing hide and seek, running away from him to keep him on his toes, but especially if he ignores a first recal, jumping around like loons squeaking toys and generally trying to make ourselves look FAB so we can get him to come away from new friends. We had a couple of good greetings and returns to us this weekend, so will keep plodding on.
I love him meeting other dogs and he is getting much better at reading signals and plays nicely. It's so important to have that chance off lead. It's just the coming away with us and not running off if we don't want him to that is hard. A long slog, two steps forward and one, sometimes two back - with little windows of "oh, that was better!"
Hope you find some ideas that work for you
Mandy x
Hi
Just to let you know you are not alone with recall issues.
Milo is now 5 1/2 months is great when we are alone outside with him but if another person or dog comes within sight no matter how far away he is off like a shot and no amount of tasty treats or me calling or whistling will get him back. We too had the embarassment of him going off with a woman and her labrador who were obviously much more interesting than us, I had to go after them to retrieve my pup I think he would of just gone home with them without any worries.
He has also now been put back on a longline for now until we try and get more control of him returning to us when we want not when and if he decides but I have no idea when he will learn.
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it really drives me but he is good he never runs off to other dogs when called.
