Can you teach an old dog new tricks.... like recall??!!

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Flick greyhound is now 8 years old, I've had her since a year old with no problems other than she is not the most intelligent dog in the world She is quite under-confident and adores Amy (whippet x greyhound), on walks she follows Amy around like a shadow - that has always been useful, as Amy has 100% recall every time, and Flick used to just follow her back to us. Left to her own devices Flick gets lost very easily!

Over the past few weeks Flick has decided that she will go exploring by herself on walks, which has resulted in her getting lost and going missing for 10-20 minutes at a time. I was more than slightly stressed today when Flick took off after a non-existent bird on the walk, and I could see her zig-zagging through the trees up the embankment which has the M50 at the top....

So I am assuming I will have to go back to basics with her and teach her recall all over again! Has anyone successfully done this with an older dog?

 

[FinnishLapphund]

It wasn't recall training, but it has happened that I've taught old dogs to do other, new to them, things. But yes, I think you will have to go back to basics with her.

Like with most training, I think it has to do with finding something that motivates them to do what you want them to do, getting the timing right (there is often not much point in calling them, when their brain is already in Lalala-land), and making sure that you begin with making it easy for them to do right.
Personally, for me and my current three dogs, long line training was brilliant for teaching them recall, that they have to listen to me, and in general not forget me out on walks.

I know that some people don't want their dogs to come to recall, only because they expect to get a treat. But one can begin with using a lot of treats, and then see it as an increased difficulty in the training, to go over to a roulette like reward system = they get treats randomly, sometimes, but not always.
On the other hand, I rather have a dog that only comes because they know that they will get a treat, than have a dog with an unreliable recall.

But there is also dogs which isn't so food motivated, and then you have to find out what can motivate them, e.g. a toy, you talking with a really chirpy high-pitched voice etc.
It wasn't something that I used in recall situations, but if I wanted her to pay attention to me more in general, then, many years ago, I had a bitch which often became very attentive to me, if I started to walk funnily (= basically trying to imitate some of Monty Python's silly walks sketch).

Maybe you have to try a few things, but hopefully you find something which works for you and Flick.

 

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Thanks FL I feel a mixture of astonishment and annoyance with her at the moment, only Flick could decide after 7 years that she can't remember how to come when she is called....

 

[FinnishLapphund]

There's no point crying over spilt milk, you've had seven years of bliss, be happy over that, and start working with her recall training.