We have a 6 month old male patterdale.
He just about knows sit, and walks on a lead very nicely. However we just cannot master the recall. Having had collies before who are enthusiastic and willing to please this dog is very stubborn! He can be let off the lead and generally won't stray very far from you. We've tried titbits and toys but he just looks at you as if to say "cant be arsed". He hasn't run off so far, but we're worried if he sees a rabbit we're gonna be pretty stuck!
Any help appreciated.
Char123

Hello,

Never owned a patterdale but terriers are generally I think are strong willed, collies are born to obey terriers are born to weigh up the options :) the fact he hasn't run off is good just keep yourself more interesting than anyothing else (good luck)

I'm sure someone with more experience with me will be along to offer advice soon
Karen

He's not stubborn he is just being a terrier :-)

You cannot compare a patterdale to a collie, they were bred for different things.

So do you think I'll ever get a decent recall with him?
Char123

PATIENCE!!! for god sake the dog is only 6 months old! You can perfect the training if you give it time, he is a Terrier with working instincts, he is NEVER going to be a collie welded to you leg! (no offence to collie owners)
Dawn.

As Dawn says patience, with time you will probably get a reasonable recall but don't expect miracles.

My dogs are pretty good on their recall most of the time, but if something sparks off their terrier instinct they can turn a deaf one conveniently. Calling and shouting has no effect whatsoever.

As I am very bonded with my dogs I find that the answer on those occasions is to merrily walk away in a different direction and they hate to be left behind.

To be honest it is usually only when they are in a pack situation that this happens, one on its own tends to need the security of being close to mum.

I think you will never get a decent recall from him if in the presence of squirrels, rabbits and anything that moves. He's a terrier and his hunting instincts will overrule his training.

Stacey

With a rabbit etc it will be hard to recall but for general recall purposes have you tried training on a LONG lead or rope ? This way you still have control andyour pup still has a certain amount of free running and freedom.
Also try taking his favourite toy ( you are supposed to keep one for a treat) and recall using the toy or using a treat titbit when he comes back .
Dont forget the world is an exciting place when you are so young :)

Hi

As Lel says you maybe need to go back to basics and start recall training from scratch.

Don't allow your dog off the lead until you have got him coming back to you, on command, every time while he is on the long training lead. Your dog has to learn that when you call his name and 'come' he HAS to come every time no matter what! Then train your recall, still on the line, while you add distractions. A ball thrown, another person arriving on the scene. Only when you have got him returning to you, everytime, on the line, with distractions should you even think of letting him off to free run. For for relaxed walks - use a flexi lead in the meantime. Until you have trained a recall your dog will not understand what is required of him.

Ok, thanks to everyone for your help. Will try some of your suggestions. Off to Pets at Home to get him a flexi, and a muzzle!
Char123

Just out of interest, why the muzzle?

Lol, a number of reasons really, when he's off the lead he's very mouthy with my two collies and any other dog we meet and so I don't want him to nip a dog which will then turn round and really attack him. Also if he's on the lead and walk past another dog, there are certain breeds in particular that he will go completely nuts at, virtually leaping into the air all 4 feet, barking and growling and hackles up. We're working on it at club but not having much success so far.
Char

I'm not sure, but I don't think it would be a good idea having him run off lead with a muzzle - couldn't it cause him some harm in certain situations?

par for the course I'm afraid.

I know very few Patterdales who are not dog aggresive. The best answer is possibly not letting him off lead except in very safe areas where no other dogs are likely to be.

He might come of worse at the moment, but later on it will be the other dogs that may suffer.

Hi Char

When you say your patterdale is mouthy with your other dogs when out on walks does he seem aggressive with them or is it just excitment? Also what is he like when he is inside with your own dogs? you seem to have two issue here - the recall and his behaviour towards other dogs including your own.

Hello,
He seems excited in a way, because he's showing all the signs of friendliness etc, but he just hasn't got any manners! He'll be bouncing up on them, trying to mouth their ears, shoulders, elbows, anything really. What people have suggested is that I let the other dogs tell him off but I feel that if I let them do that, he'd be quite prepared to do the same back! When approaching other dogs he always seems perfectly confident. When he is inside with my own dogs he's generally a lot better. But then perhaps it's because the collies are being quiet and lying down?
Also another problem I have is as I'm walking down the road if he see's a strange dog he will go into a complete frenzy, barking, growling etc etc. My trainer says I really need to be firmer with him, I've scruffed him before and he's shut up but surely if I do that every time he'll get used to it and it won't have the same effect?
Today in the park we made some progress with our recall, dogs were all running free (he had the muzzle on) and "the pack" spotted a lab the other side of the park. I let them run about half way there (about 200m) and then called all their names and turned and legged it. Collies turned on a sixpence and Diesel turned when he realised he was on his own and came hurtling back. Sausages and lots of praise. So I do feel like I've achieved something.
One thing I've been thinking about, probably will sound silly but I'll give it a go. You know like they attach a horses bridle to its martingale to stop it throwing its head up. Well perhaps if Jack was on a harness and had his muzzle on I could use a piece of thick string and attach it from the underneath of his muzzle to the underneath of his harness so he had to keep his head down which then might discourage him from jumping up? Don't know if it'd work so what do you think?
Thanks for replying everyone, I really appreciate it and you're all being really helpful!
Char123
Edited to add: His behaviour on lead when he sees another dog if its a certain breed. He is worse with labs, boxers, spaniels & staffies.