Recall

[Stoney666]

Failed miserably today two dogs came to say hello mine shot off before I had a chance to grab him ran off at speed and into (fortunately almost empty) car park. We ere on local downs. I put all my training into action waved turkey at him but he was not having it. Feel slightly annoyed with myself what am I doing wrong, not his fault I know. Wondering about whistle training for recall??

First of all, get a long line for you pup. A 11 wk old pup in the classes before mine sadly was hit by a car and killed last week. Sorry to sound a bossy cow! It will also keep him out of trouble with older dogs that don't want to play, as he probably won't have learnt manners yet.

Find out what makes your dog 'tick'. For mine, its his special tuggy toy. I keep it hidden away at home so the only time my boy gets to play is when we are out and about. You need to remember that a proper solid recall is when a dog comes straight away, even if he'd much rather be doing something else!

Practice loads. So, call pup when he's in the garden. Praise like mad when he comes, offer a treat or toy and game. Up the distractions slowly. So, then try and call pup away from his food bowl, or from another family member fussing him. If he doesn't come, go and get him. Don't let him learn to ignore your command.

At the moment, playing with other dogs/sniffing arses/chewing grass is waaayyy more interesting than you, sorry.

Make yourself an exciting person to be around. I'm sure (Minimuu?) one of the excellent posters on here once mentioned a 'magic circle', meaning that whenever her dog is near her, he gets a treat/game/cuddle or whatever floats his boat. Dog then learns that around you is a brilliant place to be!

My boy is nearly one, and has a really good recall. Not perfect, mind!
If we are somewhere new or not a safe area, I take my long line with me.

I do lots with him on walks though, calling him over frequently, playing tug or chase with him, throwing his ball or chucking him bits of sausages!

Watching this as we have dodgy recall with our beagle. It's frustrating as 95% of the time she comes to a whistle immediately and at full speed (and is rewarded with cheese) but the other 5% she actually looks at you then goes off in the opposite direction.

Thanks. He was running away from the other dogs, bit of a sensitive soul lol

I would encourage you to do just what you are doing BUT with building up a recall with distractions.

You teach a recall in the garden, nothing else is going on, the dog is only looking at you then you will have a great recall.

Try the recall with the DC's playing in the garden
Try the recall with someone holding onto the dogs toy
Up the anti and try a recall when another dog is around etc
try to recall your dog past a sausage lying on the floor etc
Obviously build up to these slowly and some labs never get past the sausage but learn to grab is whilst running back to you!

Remember that recall to the dog should mean the beginning of something really exciting happening rather than the end of what they are doing. So if they are having a really great time then the recall means the beginning of something even more fantastic eg a long game of tuggy (not just being put on a lead and restricted from playing with dogs).

Thanks will give all the suggestions a go :)

I use Minimuu's magic circle too, as well as the recall practice. It takes a long time to build a solid recall against all distractions. My most embarrassing moment was when the dog took off into someone else's garden, down the side of the house and into their back garden to say hello to a dog that was very angry about the invasion of its space. But Dog2 wouldn't do that now. I have had to train him to recall to me despite a crazy man leaping about with a stick and some sausage (don't ask!). I also sometimes practice recall by calling the dog to me and then running away from him when I have a tasty treat for him - he thinks it's a great game.

Also you'll learn to spot the moments when the dog is about to run off. If you can catch him in time, it's much easier to stop it at that point instead of when he has already set off in pursuit.