Problems getting dogs attention

[Vikki89]

We got our Jack Russell when he was just under 1 year old, he knows commands like wait, sit, here etc. but the problem it getting his attention for him to these things.
Before we got him he was used for rabbiting, we currently don't let him off the lead because if something gets his attention, a smell etc. you can't get his attention, once you do he will listen and come back.
Same for when he is out in the garden, he barks everytime he goes out which is bad enough but it is also doesn't listen til he has stopped barking.
I have just thought of trying a whistle to see if it gets his attention but thought i would see if anyone had any suggestions for getting his attention or the barking?

 

[CAYLA]

I would work with some pre training to in these situations, i.e introduce the whistle and use it in non distracting situations to get the association/ground work in, use some liver/chicken cheese, call him in the house and give the treat then let him wonder off again, then repeat, once he begins to respond with voice recognition then use the whistle then name, and the same when he comes use the treat, dont use them at any other time just for the recall, when you go out to the fields u walk use a long line and use the same method, voice, whistle, treat, eventually you should just beable to whistle for him.
This is the most basic way to re programme.

 

[NicoleS_007]

My Irish terrier has a typical short attention span (its in the breed description )!! I find a good poke in the side gets her attention haha but ov you cant do that off lead so i like CAYLA's idea

 

[echodomino]

I just let Jimmy (JRT) go and come back when he's ready, usually probably about 10mins tops but seems longer. He always knows where I am and always finds me and we're well away from roads so he's safe.

Am I bad? lol

Echo Cayla though, a friend of mine had one of my JRT pups that I had back at nearly a year old, he'd had no training, not even in the house!! He's never messed in their house and they managed to train him to come back. He didn't even know his name (was Timmy, now Ollie) and he's a smashing little chap, so it is possible

 

[Red30563]

We had exactly the same problem with our border terrier/lhasa apso cross. A trainer suggested a whistle for recall and it's been miraculous! I can highly recommend it. We trained him the same way Cayla has suggested, and he now recalls to the whistle from hundreds of yards away, regardless of what he is sniffing/nosing it! We always 'pay him' well when he does a long recall or one from a distraction - ie several yummy treats (liver loaf etc) not just one. Make it worth his while coming back!

We use an Acme 211.5 whistle. Apparently this is a tone that terriers (and lots of other dogs) respond to really well. You can get them for a few pounds from eBay etc.

 

[Vikki89]

Thanks for the replys, I will order one of those whistles and train him how CAYLA suggested.
We have taken him on a dog training course and he passed so i know he knows all the commands and can do it, there just obviously wasn't so many interesting distractions while we were there.