i take my dog in a enclosed field i let him of the lead and most of the time he always looks and makes sure i am about.But when i want him to come back he ignores me i have tried walking away from him hiding behind a tree but he will not come back on command apart from that he is good any answers or remedies please
joe-m

yes..... dont let him off again :D

I think yo should keep him on lead as next time God forbid he may have accident

Heidi he did say the field was enclosed. How old is your dog/breed etc? My 10 month old GSD almost always comes back on command but the odd time that something takes her fancy she can be a defiant so and so- when she's like this- I usually shout her then *leg it* in the opposite direction- like yours she always looks to check where I am so if she see's me doing a runner and thinks I'm going to leave her she *legs it* after me:) Perhaps try not walking away but running:)

Stacey x x x

the dog in question is a 12month old golden retriever. that is his only fault but as you say it is a dangerous one all remedies are welcome but i have tried these the other thing is he is still a dog with all his bits
many thanks
joe-m

I'm afraid I can't offer anymore advice:) You see I can only really say what I've done/found to work for me and if that doesn't work for you then hopefully one of the more experienced people on here will be able to offer you more help:) Just a thought though have you tried doing a search on here (top right) for *recall* etc- see what may have came up before on the subject:)

Stacey x x x

i will try legging it if he does it again and will let you know. anyway thanks for the input
many thanks
joe-m

hi ,
with any training it has to be consistant, if you have chopped and changed training methods because you felt it was not working, the dog will only get confused as to what you want it to do, recall can take months even a year,start again with lead work, a very long lead or rope, recall your dog every now and again not just because you want him to come, lots of praise, if he does not come when called reel him in on the lead/rope, don't get angry or fustrated when they do not come, still praise even if it has taken a time to get him to come back, do this for as long as it takes, could be months, all training is on going, good luck, regards tina

the fact that i have only had the dog seven weeks would his be a factor as maybe he is still getting accustomed to me
joe-m

Yeah, I'd definitely say that having the dog for only 7 weeks would be a huge factor in his non-recall ability. Also did his last owner ever train him to come???? If that was a problem then, it wouldn't change for you now.

A suggestion would be to start over as if he's a puppy. You need to find out how his behavior is for the rest of the basic commands. Figure out what works as his motivator-- if you're rewarding him with a toy, tidbit, praise, etc... 15-20 minutes per session maybe 2x a day is enough. Always end on a positive note. Watch that he isn't losing attn. or getting tired and stop before he starts acting up.

Work with him on a six foot training leash and collar (correctly fitting) where you have complete control over him. Start with "Sits", "Down', "Stay" "Heel" and build up your time. When he can "Stay" for a couple of minutes without any reminders or corrections, walk to the end of the leash and call him to you. Use the leash to make sure he comes right too you.

After some time (days, weeks, months -- not minutes) get yourself a Lunge line (like horses use.) Then you can work him up to 20-40 feet away and still control that he will come to you. Don't use a flexi-lead.

If you decide -- "hey, he came to me once or twice, he's reliable", and let him off the leash to find out he isn't returning, you have given him more reinforcement that he is "Free" and can do this. If you let him offleash before he is trained, don't use the same command over and over to try to get him back. You are teaching him that you are helpless to make him return. So it is best that you work with him repeatedly before you let him off again.

BTW, don't forget that dogs can smell a bitch in season miles away... his attention, esp. when young can easily be distracted by this.
good luck,
toodles

many thanks for the info will keep you all informed how i get on .Once again thanks
joe-m

why are you letting him off,when he got a problem with his leg and foot he should be only getting road walking no free run,you know what i am talking about,beacuse of the email you send me and photos