I have made a rod for my own back with my 8 month old Border Terrier. We have done lots of recall with her in the house and she'll come running to us at a whistle, however we have been too scared to let her off much in the great outdoors.

Theres a beach we drive to which she has been aloud to run about on and whilst most of the time she will come back to us she does sometimes go deaf. I WANT to be able to trust her in the park, it seems mean to have her on a lead all the time when other dogs run around having fun but I'm so worried that she won't come back, in the 6 months we have had her she has become our world and the thought of her getting knocked down makes me sick with worry.

I'm not sure what I'm asking for really, I guess just some tips on taking the plunge and letting her off in the park, and are there any whistles that are better than others?

thanks

I had/have the same problem with my 10 month Akita. She will generally recall as long as there is not something more interesting to her i.e. anything moving! I still let her off in the park but tend to time my walks so that I know people generally wont be around and then I do not worry. I am more worried that someone else will be scared when a 7 stone dog comes thundering over the hills to say hello!

Hi moo
try her on a long line untill you are more confident that she will come back every time -she 's only young and will go deaf now and again :)
Liz

It is so worrying at first, I had to be coaxed into it by other walkers in the park. I got my dog from a rescue home in November and at Christmas decided I had just had enough of being pulled all over the place, so took the plunge. I think the main thing is to always keep away from traffic, always focus on your dog so you know where they are and try directing where she goes, ie 'this way' so that she moves according to your movements. After all you are on a higher peg in the packing order!! I have to confess it's only now that I feel more confident, but her happiness has been so worth it! She gets the exercise she needs, plus it's helping to build her confidence and social skills. I'm sure you have, but make sure all her tags are on, check before you let her off the lead, and joining one of the pet database centres help, where they will help in the awful event she does get lost. Some people use treats to get their dogs to always come back when called, but this doesn't work for me!! I don't know of any particularly good whistles, I just use a clear calm authorative voice and nine times out of ten it works, the other time I end up going for a run to catch her!!

I find a gundog whistle is brilliant - they come in a variety of pitches - mine is 211 1/2 - and they are made by Acme (that name always reminds me of the RoadRunner cartoons!).

thank you all, I know that it will be worth it in the end. I do have an acme whistle but its not very high pitched, looks like a ref's whistle so I'll try the one you have suggested.

She seems to know her place in the pack and when on a lead takes direction (ie, this way!) quite well so I might be worrying about nothing. I know that I'm very protective of her, in fact if I had my way I'd carry her everywhere!

we had our border terrier at about 12 weeks.and from day one we took him down the park and let him of his lead straight away.at that age he was to weary to leave our side and stayed with us all the way round.I think if u dont do this and when they have been on a lead for some time and then suddenly let off its 'freedom' !!!!! and off they go.

Having talked to quite a few people who happily let my breed off lead, the same has been found to be the case, they need to learn the habit of keeping with/an eye on you, and recall before they become too confident, as they are naturally bold and independant.

My oldest 3 that i have done this with since babies are pretty reliable off lead, and will wait, and stop when told. The youngest is not this reliable, but I did not have the training of her at the baby to puberty stage.

Hi Moo
thats exactly how i felt with Gus . He's now 5 months and his recall is pretty poor with other dogs around but when he's on his own he's great .
At training class we were the only people from the class who had never let their dog run off lead - I was just too worried incase he ran away .
We found a great little park which has three really high sides ( like its cut into an old quarry style - if that makes sense) leaving only one side that can be accessed by anyone and so we can see exactly who is coming into the park . It was a godsend . We let him off and got him into the hang off being off lead but using treats to practice recall with . When we were satisfied we then graduated to the woods where he can go off lead but we still have to watch out for other dogs as he just wants to play with them all the time and wont come back if he sees one . Which is where our problem lies .
( i have actually posted a thread about this )
Try scouting around and see if you can find any safe places like this . The normal park is just too busy for us and so we go the woods instead .
Good luck
lel