Contrary to other advice on the page, this is not age or breed related. Why should an adult JRT return to you if your puppy wont? Hours and hours of basic dog training. Seek proffessional help from a dog trainer about recall training. Your dog should be learning to return to you on command despite destractions. Teach it now before he teaches his self that he only has to return when there are no distractions.

What I was told in class was to keep the pup on a long leash and call them, if they don't come bring them into you and treat, praise then let them go and play. Do this a couple of times through out the day. Even keep them on lead when they are playing with other dogs so when you do the recall you can make them come, praise/treat and let them play again. Do that a couple of times before you leave. This way they won't associate that being called everytime means that playtime is over. Only call them once and make it sound happy and exciting, because if not why would they want to come, then bring them in. Hope I was of some help

Of course the puppy needs training Craigy. As you are a canine consultant I'd be interested in hearing how you would carry out this training?

John

Craigy,
:) You have the right to your opinions, just like I have the right to mine :) But I have a feeling that you believe a dog is a dog is a dog and that there are no behavioral and instinctive differences between dog breeds. An example could be between a Labrador Retriever and a Jack Russell Terrier. There is. But I've had that discussion before. Let's just agree to disagree on it. :)

I didn't say anything about "trainability". Terriers are smart, damn smart, in my book. Very easily trained. But many do not like rote training and can be unreliable for instant obedience throughout their lives. The smarter the animal is, the less likely will do blind obedience :D :D

Obviously, you believe that a 16 week old dog should be just as reliable, once shown, as an adult dog. You also believe a Jack Russell Terrier will be the same as any other breed. Hmm. Yep...we're on opposite sides of the fence here. But that's ok, as long as the original poster realizes there is no absolute wrong/right in dog training and that opinions abound.

I agree with the eventual schooling for obedience, but I don't think that it's as dire as you make it out to be. Puppy classes start around 4-6 months and they're not intense as a regular class would be. Serious training at such a young age isn't necessary and can cause burnout.
Many dogs don't have perfect recall, especially as puppies. It doesn't really matter if the dog is kept leashed in public. :) It's not cruel and it's not tragic :rolleyes:

Why should this Pup need proffessional help? are you assuming that people are not able to train on their own by coupling together kind training methods and sound useful advice ?are we in such a quick fix age that we must seek proffesional help with such a young puppy?
Part of the fun of owning a puppy is learning together about how to get on and form a partnership,surely recommended a training Club/class would be better where everyone can have the benefit and more to the point enjoyment.

very short and sweet and basic, do all training of recall on long leash,when calling if no response just reel the dog in, keep doing this until they know to come with little or no effort of you reeling them in, always praise when they return to you even if it takes a while for them to respond,regards tina

I merely mentioned that one can not expect a recall reliably with out hours of obedience training in various locations and with many distractions present. Nor did I say that there are no breed differences when training, of course there are, but one should not be making excuses for no recall.... as for keeping the dog permanantly on a lead I feel is cruel. One should build a good relationship with the dog, invest in a good deal of training using praise and reward. The main importance is safety. Every one should be able to recall their dog instantly to prevent him running on to roads, chasing other animals and being unruly.

'as for keeping the dog permanantly on a lead I feel is cruel.'

Yeah, I know this is a common view in the UK. It doesn't surprise me that you believe this. Leash Laws are very strict in the US cities and suburbs. Many dogs live happy lives never experiencing life off of the leash. That's just the way things are. :rolleyes: Not cruel at all and definitely better than being hit by a car or dealing with hazards of cities. :(

I think we both are misunderstanding the intent of one another's printed words. :) You think I"m saying that recall is unimportant and excusable. I think that you're being unrealistic expecting a 4 month old dog to be completely reliable.
Sure it takes patience and practice, but take into consideration the puppy's age for dependability and focus. I don't know how you can argue with this....but let's just agree to disagree. :)

I believe the original poster has gotten help from everyone's suggestions on here and that's the most important result either of us could hope for :)

I was not saying that this dog should be 100% reliable and yes, here in England it is quite unacceptable to keep a dog on a lead for 15 years. As for saying that they dont miss what they have never had, what rubbish! I've never driven a ferrari, but I know that I would like to. Perhaps you are right, lets agree to disagree.

craigy,
I really would be happier if you could avoid the "in england " bit. It implies that you are speaking for the rest of us....your opinions are your own, not necessarily that of "England". whether we agree with you or not, on any given topic, we can speak for ourselves, and may well do so a little more politely.

I am in England. You think I am rude? Not rude, Passionate. Something maybe you need?

Oh Craigy :D :D :D

Laughing at you has really cheered me up.:D :D I've only skimmed over your posts today but you've definitely given me plenty entertainment. :D
I love how you describe yourself as passionate. :D :D :D That gives me the biggest laugh of all. You obviously have no perception whatsoever as to how you come across in your posts and I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Passionate you ain't :D :D :D

Rude, arrogant - Yes but Passionate - No. Sorry to disillusion you:( Maybe instead of advocating animal behaviourists you'd get more benefit from visiting a human behaviourist.:D :D
Dot

Dot, usually he's very ANTI-behavioralist and blames them for all the evils in the world of dogdom. I think he tried to 'disguise' himself from the board by changing his persona, but blood will always tell ;) :)

Have a feeling HE might be SHE Seems to kmow the benefits of false finger nails. tangle

Pink,
Ignore him, he's an old troll come back to haunt us. He'll get rude, then he'll vanish into the woodwork again :P
I guess he's learned a new word that he's trying out everywhere --- 'passion'. Obviously not working, since it's being misused.
I think he'll try to get obnoxious on various threads and see how many he can have admin lockdown/delete in one night. It's a pattern. He's done it before. Guess he's bored again :rolleyes:

Sara .
passion Lol ;)tantrums more like

Thankyou so much for your responses. I didn't realise I was going to cause so much controversy.
The agility is basically going up and down a ramp, and along a thinnish plank, which the dog really loves. The vet has x-rayed him to ensure his bones are developping properly and will continue to monitor him as he grows, however at the moment he is developping completely normally - if there is such a thing.
Thankyou for all your advice. We are trying to use the whistle, followed by the word and signal for come, which has been really effective over the past few days. He is enjoying the training we give him and always seems excited to learn a new command, especially when food is involved. We have found that his current favourite treat is a piece of carrot, which will entice him to do almost everything.
We have got an extender lead abd so will certainly use it for recall training as you have suggested.
Thankyou all again for your replies, it's great to be able to get sich a range of advice all at once.

You're welcome :) :)
Oh, no controversy at all by your question. It's what happens where there's a range of opinions on a variable subject such as dog training :) There's more than one way to skin a cat on here ;) :)
good luck with your puppy. It sounds as if you're keeping him busy which is what JRT's do need to be happy :)
best wishes,
toodles