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Puppy Recall Problems- doesn't want treats!!

31 replies

Chinwag · 08/05/2015 19:57

I have a 7 month old miniature poodle pup. She is lovely and bright, and otherwise training well. She has been to socialisation, we are attending training sessions, and I have private trainers in for specifics. But the recall is proving extremely difficult, because she is really not interested in treats (even top treats) or toys when she is outside. She might take a treat if she is in the mood, but it means I often struggle to get her on the lead. She stays in my viscinity, and she knows the command, because she does it in the house and sometimes outside but often chooses to ignore me on a walk. I call her a few times on a walk and reward etc, and don't always put her on the lead each time I call her, as I know she will associate it with a negative.

But A few days ago, she got chased by a playful (but large) young Alsation, and she ran and ran, yelping and yelping, and ran off home. (Fortunately not on the main road- and fairly near).

Yesterday she escaped from the house and bounced all round the street, thinking it was highly hilarious, with 3 of us trying to coax her with treats, which didn't work one bit.

So I am concerned, partly because I can't get her attention when she is out, partly because when I have it, she looks at me and hops away, so I can't reach her. And partly because she obviously is prone to getting scared (only with some dogs) and seems prone to bolting, despite lots of socialisation.

I would appreciate some help :-) It's getting a bit frustrating. I have asked a few people who are more experienced than I, but they are a bit perplexed too.

OP posts:
amazonianwoman · 14/05/2015 14:44

Another vote for a whistle. I've just started using one with my mini schnauzer and it's amazing! Just started in the house with 3 short blasts, then our (huge) garden. He used to just look at me and then ignore me, now it's working 90% of the time. And he's a stubborn almost 6 year old!

Chinwag · 15/05/2015 16:18

Thank you. i dont think it helps that she is nervous. she bolted again the other day, in the middle of nowhere because of other dogs. i dont see à way forward If she is scared.

OP posts:
LeoandBoosmum · 15/05/2015 16:21

Maybe little pieces of roast chicken would work. Give lots and lots of fuss when s/he returns.

haggisaggis · 15/05/2015 16:27

What our trainer advised is to stop feeding from the bowl altogether and give everything by hand. So in the morning you measure out her daily food and that goes in the treat bag (daily food could include "special" treat food - chicken, liver etc). And you feed it to her by hand through the day when she comes to you.
I have to admit we found this too time consuming so ddog's recall is still a bit flaky but if you have the time and motivation I could see it working.
Long line is a good idea if she's easily startled - but make sure you use it with a harness and not a collar.

MarcoPoloCX · 15/05/2015 17:09

Long line training. And how about getting them to chase you. Add on lead jogging with your dog to make it fun. Then slowly add off lead jogging. Praise the dog. Then randomly jog On and off lead with lots of praise. Clicking and unclicking the lead so it doesn't associate it with a negative. Hopefully you will be able to add chase me to the come command.

nellieellie · 15/05/2015 17:10

There's a recall book by Pippa Mattinson, 'totall recall' which uses a whistle and is pretty good. Relies on treats which I had a problem with until I switched my dog to raw. He went from being completely uninterested in food to going crazy about it. I used bits of raw meat wrapped in foil as high value treats. Still a work in progress as he's had 2 ops recently so not been allowed off lead since Feb!

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