So bloody stubborn - recall part 3

[billybagpuss]

At what age do they really stop all this rebellion crap?
(please excuse my language I am a little exasperated right now)

We have done so much intensive training, it really has worked on so many levels. Loose lead now almost perfect, reaction to ducks definitely getting better, reaction to cyclists hmmmmm, reaction to rowers no chance they are evil. Recall is still hit and miss.

My neighbour who has a beautiful Collie said the other day that her dog was never as wilful as Billypup at the same age.

Mostly at the moment I take her on a longline on walks as I just can not trust her recall, we've had some lovely walks with them, plenty of on line recall practise 95% success (the other 5% is rower related) Today in our local field we were playing off lead games, perfect focus having a whale of a time, coming back every time. I get the lead to put it on (yes I do do the putting it on and taking it off at different times when we not going home thing) and she legs it, across a brook and starts foraging in some bushes completely ignoring me. Fortunately it was near our house so DD came and caught her unawares and I threw the lead across.

Honestly its not a training thing, we've done so much I was terribly exciting, I promise, so much so I had 5 other dogs around me - just not mine

She is now 14 months, Border/retriever. Please tell me this phase will pass soon, please

Oh god just lost another ball and almost the dog as she was off lead in one of our hitherto ‘safe’ areas and she legged it after a skylark. I think I need a couple of lead days with light training. She’s panting like a steam train now so hopefully will sleep later 😳😂

My dog’s recall is good but not perfect. Yesterday, after ages chasing balls on the field, we had walked up a long steep footpath when a boy on a skateboard came whizzing down the hill. My dog had never seen one before and raced joyfully along beside it. Right back down the hill, ignoring my shouts.
I set off crossly after him but he abandoned the skateboard and came panting back. Perfect recall would be nice but I don’t expect it under irresistible temptation.