Would anyone like to share their stories of their dogs recall disappearing to make me feel better please?

[Scion286]

Pup is 10 months old. He had fantastic recall up until about a month ago. He’d turn on a penny at the sound of his whistle. He’s gradually been getting further and further away from us, never disappearing completely, always with an eye on us still but not responding as quickly as he used to.

The last 4 or 5 walks there’s been an ‘incident’ of some kind. We’re very careful about where we walk him (no livestock or roads etc) but things like disappearing into the undergrowth for 5 minutes, squeezing under a fence into the neighbouring field and then not being able to get back. Sunday was the final straw, we were walking through a forest and the little bugger would not come out! It took us 20 minutes, he’d run back to us, get almost close enough for us to grab him then he’d run off again.

So that’s it, he’s back on his lead (see other thread about trying to get him not to pull on countryside walks 🤦🏼‍♀️)

Little shit. Good job he’s cute!

Has anyone got any reassuring tales of their dog getting their recall back? Any tips, training advice? I just think that now he’s had a taste of real freedom why would he ever behave himself again?!

I’ve been trying to follow the sexier than a squirrel training but unless I grow a bushy tail I’m just not ever going to be!

[pigsDOfly]

I also found that knowing your dog's highest value treats helped with recall. In my dog's case it was dried chicken liver treats; she would have walked through fire for them.

[Theoscargoesto]

Total recall and a thick skin are the only solutions I fear. We have a great park near us, where there is lots of undergrowth. My dog, previously pretty good and now pretty good, at 9 months or so, just got carried away in there and totally lost recall. Other people would find her and call me to ask if I was at the park as they had my dog. So embarrassing. But look I reckon it happens to the best of us (see above for proof) and you will work at it. Mine is now 2 and those days are a funny memory but at the time I felt like The worlds worst owner and I cried A LOT.

She also disgraced herself at same park by racing up to and in a pond right by the ‘do not let your dog go in the pond’ sign, ignoring both me and the group of park wardens on a training day.

[vanillandhoney]

If he's prone to running off, please put him on a longline. You may not be near to cars - but they can go for miles if they catch a scent. I'm on a breed group on Facebook and at least twice a week there are stories of dogs who have bolted and been found 4-5 miles away from where their owners last saw them.

One beagle last week disappeared on a walk and wasn't found for over a week, after which she had been hit by a car - luckily she survived! I'm not saying that to scare you but if your dog has poor recall please, please keep them on a lead or longline for their safety. You can get 100m lines so they can still run and explore but you know they won't disappear and get hurt or lost.

[Witchgonebad]

Definitely adolescence.
Go back to basics with your training, use a long line and keep using it for longer than you think you need it.

I second the recommendation of Total Recall.
You’ll get there.

[WhenCoronaWasALager]

We got it back. I rewarded every time and still do several years later. I also make a huge fuss if he's coming in the right direction, so he doesn't change his mind. I also made sure I had high value treats.

[MsMarvellous]

Mine stopped at 8/9 months. It was ridiculous and such hard work. He's coming up 15 months now and with a lot of work his recall has really improved. I use a lot of cheese and ham and practice every walk.