Recall.

[HayleyUK]

I have a dog coming up to being 2 years old, hes an X breed from a rescue centre and we got him at 6 months old.

Hes a really confident bouncy little dog, and we've taken stuff slowly with training. He can be slightly wary of people he doesnt know, but is a very sociable little dog. He will sit and wait politely at the road side to cross, come to call in the house/garden etc, walks reasonably nicely on his lead, sits when asked etc. People comment on how well behaved he is at sitting at the road side etc.. However, we took him to puppy training towards the end of last year and he freaked, he was very odd throughout the session and seemed like he was stressing/withdrawn. Shying away from people and the trainer and things.. not like him at all.

We decided it wasnt doing him any good, and left it, thinking he needed a bit more time to sort himself out... and we did home training with him in the meantime. We seem to have hit a blank though..

Once he's off his lead he goes manic, and just shoots off at full speed. He's getting to the stage where he'll turn and be looking for you or he'll wait till he can see you and then run off again..which is a massive improvement, but he will not recall at all. Its almost as if he knows you can stop him running off on his lead, but knows if he ignores you off it, you can't do anything.

He's brilliant at coming to you in the house, or on the end of a lead but off it.. no chance. Not even for a dog treat or one of his toys.

We've been recomended hiding from him, going in the opposite direction etc and nothing seems to work. He follows but stays 3-6 feet away from you and once you get near he shoots off as if its a game.
You can occasionally catch him by distratcing him with a stick and grabbing him when hes not watching..

It was suggested we try clicker training him.. so I got a click and treat dispenser today and was thinking about trying that?

He will recall when he walks with my mothers dog, but on his own hes an absolute nightmare.

Obviously, its a concern because not only is it a danger if he gets on the road etc but currently hes not walked off his lead which is a shame.

Can anyone help?

 

[Oneofthepack]

[ QUOTE ]
You can occasionally catch him by distratcing him with a stick and grabbing him when hes not watching..


[/ QUOTE ]

This could be a clue...........he knows that you trick him when he comes near so he's staying just out of reach. Find somewhere enclosed to practice so you're not nervous about him not coming back. Let him know you have his favourite treats in your pocket by giving him one when you let him off the lead. Do the recall so he starts coming back, then sit down side on to him and avoid eye contact. Hold out a treat in your hand and let him take it but don't attempt to catch him. Do this over and over without putting his lead on, then put it on, give him a treat and let him go again. Keep repeating so he knows when he comes back he gets a nice treat but he's not necessarily going back on the lead.

I tried this with my lurcher when I was at my wits end and terrified he would run off and get knocked down. He ran off to raid the bins in a park once then ran into the town centre, dodging traffic and dancing round me for over 45 minutes until I was in tears. In the end I just gave up and sat down with my back to him and within seconds he was creeping across the car park on his belly, to a round of applause from the crowd that had gathered! I continued this method and now I only have to call once and he comes back like a lamb.

I hope you find this useful and good luck!

 

[HayleyUK]

THats EXACTLY what hes like.

Generally, he throws himself about going mental then when I get fed up and hes tired, if i sit down or he lies down I can usually catch him.

Hes just a pig lol.

I'll take him to the tennis courts on the park tomorrow and camp out with some treats for a bit I think. Thanks for the tip

 

[Oneofthepack]

I'd be interested to know if it works as well for you as it did for me.

Forgot to say, give him lots of praise every time he comes back so he knows your really happy with him, and he may want to stay with you while you're sitting on the ground so take a ball or a toy to throw to make him go away so you can call him back!

 

[sloulou]

Not sure if you tried this - but do you practice recall in the house? and the garden? If you do that first - using treats like cheese and a clicker - then make the treat better when you outside in a park (eg. dried liver, checken, cooked meat etc.)?

Also - with my puppy (as OOTP said as well) - I make him come back from time to time and don't put the lead on, just give the treat - so he always ok to come back.

We also have a whistle - which is good for when they go far away - you have to train the while at home first (using a clicker is easiest for this).

The other this is to use a long line in the park - like a lunge line. I haven't tried this, but have heard can be useful?

Hope you get it sorted!

 

[spaniel]

I used, and still do sometimes, a lunge line on the cocker.....spaniel deafness kicks in on occasions!!

 

[HayleyUK]

I've used a lunge line. He'll come back if he knows hes on it.
Once you let him off... oh no.. all holy hell breaks loose and he's instantly deaf.

He'll come to call anywhere in the house, my parents garden, our courtyard.. anywhere he knows he can't run too far.

Once he's in an open space.. hes off.