Terrier recall and tasty treats

[oldie48]

Hi, Stanley is now 12 weeks and has had his second vacc so will soon be going out in the world. He comes with me into the paddocks to help "do jobs" and we have a very big garden which we play in. So far he's been brilliant with his recall but having had BTs before I know how selective their hearing can become when there's something that is of interest to them. Any tips that you have on improving recall would be gratefully received and also ideas for very tasty treats. He's not as motivated by food as some dogs but he is very trainable and eager to please.

 

[Thistle]

A terrier often loves a good game of tug, keep a special toy with you and reward the recall with a game. This toy always remains your property and only gets used as a reward.

 

[JillA]

I find cat kibble works well as a reward - strong smell and taste but very small so they don't get full. People at our agility group use slices of sausage (which would be greasy in your pocket yuk) and top trainers used to use baked liver bits. Kibble is easy to carry around though - but I do find using it sparingly increases it's value

 

[Widgeon]

I find cat kibble works well as a reward - strong smell and taste but very small so they don't get full. People at our agility group use slices of sausage (which would be greasy in your pocket yuk) and top trainers used to use baked liver bits. Kibble is easy to carry around though - but I do find using it sparingly increases it's value

I use rabbit nuggets (i.e. actual rabbit food, not food made of rabbits) - I found our terrier puppy trying to mug the rabbit food bag in preference to the bag of his own food. It's now hidden and used as dog treats!

 

[Fiona]

Cheese cubes or diced cooked cocktail sausages work for my lakeland. ..

Keep in a tiny tupperware box in your pocket

Fiona

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Dried liver stinks so is quite good. A squeaky toy really helps, too. I used a lungeline and a harness to reinforce recall then taught the three short blasts which is ace in the woods.

A trainer once told me to make myself more interesting than the surroundings, silly high pitched excited voice etc.

 

[oldie48]

Dried liver stinks so is quite good. A squeaky toy really helps, too. I used a lungeline and a harness to reinforce recall then taught the three short blasts which is ace in the woods.

A trainer once told me to make myself more interesting than the surroundings, silly high pitched excited voice etc.

Thanks, called on a neighbour who makes her own treats from boiled liver and filler, my old BT used to pounce on her. I came home with a bag full and Stan seems to really like them. Also ordered some new toys and will keep a couple of the best as my own recall toys. Haven't got a whistle but intend to get one. when you say a lunge line, so you mean a horse one?

 

[Clodagh]

I love using a whistle, also they cannot sense anxiety or anger with a whistle blast - unless you really go for it! Ours have 'pip pip pip' for recall and a long blast for 'stop right where you are'. Whether a busy border would want to know the stop whistle I don't know!
Pup (6 months) is recalled two or three times on a normal walk just for praise and a 'hi there'. I imagine treats would be good there with Stan. If you do call them back always make them come right to you and sit, then have a fuss/treat/ wait a beat and then say your release command. If you let them just pop their head out the hedge and check in visually then carry on that soon becomes 'ignoring'.

 

[MyBoyChe]

CT, thats exactly what Ive been told, you need to be more interesting that whatever they are doing, sadly, Ive never managed to make myself more interesting than fox poo, which says much about me I guess. In all other respects, all 3 of mine have fab recall and return to either a whistle or an arms outstretched, come and have a cuddle type pose! I dont use treats as a default but occasionally if I have some left over bits of chicken or cheese that needs using I will take it with me. Of course, they dont know if I have food or not so come back in the hope it may be a "leftovers" sort of day

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Thanks, called on a neighbour who makes her own treats from boiled liver and filler, my old BT used to pounce on her. I came home with a bag full and Stan seems to really like them. Also ordered some new toys and will keep a couple of the best as my own recall toys. Haven't got a whistle but intend to get one. when you say a lunge line, so you mean a horse one?

Yes, horse lungeline, but they may be too heavy for a little border. It's handy cos you cn step on it as the little darling runs away! Obviously used with a harness.

You could also try buying some scent to put on a favourite toy, associate that with a reward. Try Sporting Saint for scents.

CT, thats exactly what Ive been told, you need to be more interesting that whatever they are doing, sadly, Ive never managed to make myself more interesting than fox poo, which says much about me I guess.

PMSL! I just make myself look like a complete idiot, mostly it worked!

In all other respects, all 3 of mine have fab recall and return to either a whistle or an arms outstretched, come and have a cuddle type pose!

Yup, arms outstretched works fab on deaf dog, people in the park must think I'm loopy as I point to where I want him too.

 

[Clodagh]

Thistle on here made me a fabulous longline out of paracord, if her hands haven't given up the ghost it may be worth asking.
Her profits all go to the air Ambulance too, so worth supporting.

 

[Pinkvboots]

my jrt is generally good but she will often ignore if something is to interesting I used chopped up ham and I call it biscuits and I taught the dog that biscuits means treat, so if I shout biscuits she usually comes running.

 

[Kaylum]

Everything already said and it helps create a bond. We have a rescue terrier and put her on the lunge line the first few times we took her out never bothered after that and have a good bond with her. Whilst your out call your dog hold tbe collar and say collar and then let go again, so they dont think when you call its just so you catch.