Help with recall please

[giddly]

Hi
I'm working through the "total recall" book at the moment and all has been going very well until the last few days when I've moved into the front garden (where she's not allowed unaccompanied so has a bit of novelty value). When I recall her she comes immediately, but dances away so I can't actually grasp her collar - she doesn't get the treat until my hand is on her collar. This it the problem I had with her recall before I started the programme. I never use her recall to make her do something she doesn't want to at the moment (i.e. bring her indoors or put her on the lead) so this is quite frustrating. The book has a few suggestions for this (e.g. putting her lead on before giving her food) and I'm doing this but it's not really helping (she's not that fussed about her meals). She's back to wearing a training line which I can grab so she doesn't get away with it. Any other ideas?

What are you using as a reward? I make my dogs sit before they get their reward so I can get them (or not), and they are much more motivated by stinky sausage/hot dog/chorizo/chicken than dry kibble. Basically you are trying to weight the benefit for them of coming against the fun of being elsewhere. Much like you may be more motivated to go to the gym for an eclair vs a raw carrot

My dog does this dance away from me if he sees the lead and the treat isn't his favourite sausage. On a walk I recall him and drop the treat at my feet so I can grab his collar while he's tucking into the treat. Works everytime.

I think if you're in training mode, making your dog sit for the treat is a good idea and perhaps do it loads of times without then grabbing collar/putting lead on so he builds up trust.

Hi. Thanks for the advice. I use a mixture of things (dog sausage, ham, cheese etc. -had to drop the chorizo as it had unfortunate effects on her bowels!) but maybe need to revert to higher value rewards every time. I was advised not to get her to sit on recall as it confuses the commands - obviously not a problem for your dogs though. Even if I drop it she doesn't come when she's going through the prancing about phase - although interestingly tried again the next day and no problem! Obviously depends on her mood and how keen she is for a treat.