My dogs recall fails in one specific place

[ArklePig]

So, Fodhla had a complete recall fail the other day. Spooked and bolted to the gates of the park which obviously is not ideal and is very out of character. There was no obvious cause of spook. We were having a great walk, and then she just lost interest in me and peed off. it really didn't seem like she was being wilful she seemed to have got a fright somehow.

Took her back on a longline and she was a perfect angel, until we got to the same place she spooked at previously, and again she was dead set on getting to the gate.

She is still fine other places. Just something about this particular spot in this particular park.

Would love thoughts/advice on how to get her over this, have been playing lots of recall games and her engagement is really really good but something about that part just makes her forget everything she knows and nope out of there.

 

[meleeka]

If you know she’s scared of that particular spot, I’d just avoid it. It could be just a smell or something hurt her there last time.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If, as discussed on the other thread, she was stung in that particular place she is wise to want to avoid it happening again.

 

[Clodagh]

Penny is terrified of bees and buzzy things and won’t go near anywhere she’s even heard them. So just go elsewhere this time of year. Maybe there’s a nest there and she can hear it?

 

[ArklePig]

That's a good point re a nest, I hadn't considered it. Definitely think she was bitten by something. I'm planning to avoid it for now but I don't want to avoid it forever, and it's not really practical either, so I'm hoping that either she'll eventually forget or I can somehow create an amazing association with the same place. Just unsure on when/if to try it again. Just makes me sad because it's one of her favourite walks usually and is the only practical off lead walk I can give her on my WFH morning. Unless I want to get both of us up at the crack of dawn which neither of us enjoy!

We are heading somewhere enclosed this morning, so I plan to watch her engagement and responsiveness closely to double check this isn't a bigger issue that's developed and is in fact just that one spot.

 

[Clodagh]

Can you take her elsewhere in the park? Just avoid that area specifically? Give it until the autumn then try again, maybe?

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Was there a weed user nearby? Our Labrador runs away from those; she can smell it even when we can't.

 

[Above the snowline]

Assuming there is nothing dangerous there I’d take her back on a lead, sit down with her, feed her a few treats and reassure her. Repeat daily sitting for longer each time until she will sit happily off a lead. Then walk around with her at heel, play with her and do whatever she enjoys.

 

[Above the snowline]

Was there a weed user nearby? Our Labrador runs away from those; she can smell it even when we can't.

What’s a weed user?

 

[Above the snowline]

What’s a weed user?

I’ve looked it up - cannabis!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

That's a good point re a nest, I hadn't considered it. Definitely think she was bitten by something. I'm planning to avoid it for now but I don't want to avoid it forever, and it's not really practical either, so I'm hoping that either she'll eventually forget or I can somehow create an amazing association with the same place. Just unsure on when/if to try it again. Just makes me sad because it's one of her favourite walks usually and is the only practical off lead walk I can give her on my WFH morning. Unless I want to get both of us up at the crack of dawn which neither of us enjoy!

We are heading somewhere enclosed this morning, so I plan to watch her engagement and responsiveness closely to double check this isn't a bigger issue that's developed and is in fact just that

If she was stung/bitten, I would avoid that spot until at least the end of September which is when wasps are at their most irritable. Can you walk her in another area of the park?

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks everyone!

Walking her in the other areas is a little tricky due to location of car park but I can definitely leave a wider berth to that area and leash her in the vicinity of it. I will leave it for a while and try the suggestion above about lead walking through there first and trying to build a positive association.

Dunno about a weed user, but it is Belfast so probably. I smell it everywhere.

She did really well in an enclosed park today that was empty as usual. Lots of engagement, super quick recall. I don't get why it's always empty it's a lovely spacious dog park but suits me! She also found a football so she thinks it's magic and had the time of her life.

 

[druid]

Can you do the walk she has issues with backwards? So carpark location doesn't matter but it might help a "reset"

 

[ArklePig]

Can you do the walk she has issues with backwards? So carpark location doesn't matter but it might help a "reset"

That's a really good idea to try. I usually take the routes I do as she likes to run through the grass and get initial zoomies out before I take her on to the path areas with less grass, but I can definitely give this a try. On the lead first though just in case!