Why has my dog suddenly lost all sense of recall?

[changenameagain555]

So I'll preface this by saying he is of course no longer allowed off lead.
Our 22 month intact male cavapoo has gradually been getting more crazy since the autumn started. Where before he would just have a small run around us (when let off lead in the park) he started going further in the woods but still coming back to us. There was a lot of barking at squirrels and trying to climb trees after them etc.
However, this week on two separate occasions in two different parks, with both me and DH, he went completely crazy running around and not listening at all.
In the park yesterday he just started running round the entire park, paid zero attention to me and nearly ran out of the park into the road. Only stopped to say hello to someone who kindly grabbed him for me.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to why he has suddenly started doing this? Obviously his recall is going to need a lot of work and I need to stop letting him off lead as its reinforcing his behavior (thrill of the chase etc) but is it just the squirrels, his age, his hormones, maybe a dog in season (but its in multiple locations)? I'm a bit stumped as to why he is regressing rather than improving.

@changenameagain555 I totally feel your pain. I’ve just had this start in the last couple of weeks. Mine is 15 months and I wonder if it is teenage hormones. He used to go off but circle round and come back but lately has started to bomb off when he has a sniff of something amazing. It’s like he has lost his mind, he can run literally right past me. It’s really worrying, I’m thinking long line as he is just impossible to keep on a lead for any length of time. I do loads of enrichment activity with him, lots of hiding things and him finding them, but if he gets a certain scent he is off. I hate it, feel totally out of control and fear I have turned in to of those useless owners who can’t control their dog. He’s not neutered either, I wasn’t planning to make a call on it until he is 2

@cashmerecardigans they’re a nightmare aren’t they! I saw another spaniel in the woods running round like a mad thing today and could hear her owners calling her for ages trying to get her back. I’ll update once he’s neutered to let you know if it made any difference

Where in the UK are you? Have you looked to see if there is a doggy woodland nearby? We have one near us https://www.scoutingfordogs.com/book-online and they are becoming more of a thing it seems!

Omg. This has happened to my dog. He's a cavalier and just turning two. I used to let him off lead and he would run around a bit but always cane when called. Until he suddenly started getting way too confident and running away further and further until he completely disappeared. Every time I let him off lead from then, he's like a wind up toy that's been released. He's off like a shot and runs as far and as fast as he can. He just loves running and chasing as many birds or squirrels as possible whilst barking his head off. I've had to stop letting him off lead and used a Flexi lead instead which drives me nuts cos it just constantly gets stuck around bushes and trees or around his legs etc.

I had no idea Cavaliers were like this! I know they're spaniels but everyone told me they're lazy couch potatoes🤣

Yes he is exactly as you describe! I still need to try a flexi lead (long lines just get tangled round everything) and I have found a private dog place about 30 minutes drive away which seems to have some trees and bushes to try.
here’s hoping they regain their senses soon. I feel like now he’s had a taste of running around like a mad thing he’s not going to give it up easily.