Recall help needed

[CazD]

I've just taken in a terrier from the dogs home (6 weeks ago). The vet says she's about 1 year old although a guy I got chatting to on a walk, who says he is never wrong (!) reckons she's more like 6-8 months old (something to do with her back teeth (?)) She's come fully housetrained and will sit and lie down on command - i can hardly believe someone isn't looking for her, although she had no identification when found and no microchip either. She was only in the dog warden's kennels a week and then two days in the rescue centre before I had her.

My big problem with her is recall - the minute her attention is diverted then she's gone and wont come back. She's good off lead and will come back - its just the minute something catches her eye like a bird - then she just runs off and even when i get close to her, its like she cannot see or hear me as she doesnt even acknowledge me. I've tried treats, a huuuge fuss when she does come back and diversion tactics like throwing a stick etc, none of which seem to work when she fixed on following something.

Has anyone got any tips? I've just spent 3/4 hour walking round our local woods looking for her after she's run off again but dont want her to spend the rest of her life always walking on the lead.

 

[Hedwards]

I'm no expert on this at all, and i am having a similar problem with my current pound hound (although she's approximately 18 months/2 years old lurcher!) - for your little one could you try long lines for a while? if nothing else it'll mean you know where she is all the time while not completely restricting her? I'm sure the more knowledgable people on here will soon provide some better answers!

 

[lexiedhb]

To be honest it is a TERRIER.... 9/10 will bug*ger off if they see a squirrel etc- get her on a long line esp when in the woods.

 

[Dobiegirl]

My two are pretty good about recall until we meet my nemisis deer. Ive been reading up about emergency recall which could save your dogs life. You need to die for treats and when you call your dog and its coming you insert a special word and give your dog the biggest treat its ever had . Once the dog has learnt the trigger word recall you are meant to practise once or twice a week and giving it a handful of theses special treats.

I intend doing this myself when I get time as you really need to walk one dog at a time and thinking about what trigger word I can use, the current favourite is pickle.

 

[bex1984]

RE: Dobiegirl's post - I have done this with sausages and a whistle, so whistle equals sausage and that seemed to work really well.

OP....I once saw something (Victoria Stillwell I think) about how terriers may respond better to a high pitched squeaky noise than the calling of their name...so perhaps doing an impression of a demented mouse might work?! Seriously - they are naturally going to be more interested in that sort of noise than their name being called. I say 'Whatisitwhatisitwhatisit' very quickly and very high pitched. I look totally mental but it gets my terrierist's attention.

Mine is obsessed with balls which is very handy, but if not ball-obsessed, have you tried a squeaky toy? or a game of tug if yours is that way inclined? basically you've got to find the one, best thing in the whole wide world - be that a specific toy or a treat - and then use it to your advantage.

And get her brain busy so she has less time to think about going after things...play games, do stay/wait stuff out on walks etc. We've just started agility training which is fab - loads to practice out and about.

 

[amy_b]

bex1984's idea sounded good to me about the squeaky toys, I have a terrier who is hunting obsessive....unless he has a tennis ball in his mouth, these are his one true love that no rabbit nor bird can take him away from now if you have something that SQUEAKS...he's all ears!!!!