I am looking for a second dog and a breeder is coming to my home on Saturday with a 16 month old Cairn she is thinking about placing.  I think there is about a 50/50 chance the breeder will let me have the dog, it's a long story, but she is very attached to him and does not really want to give him up. 

Most Cairn breeders do not believe that Cairns can be trained to recall reliably - the national breed clubs in the U.S. and the U.K. advise prospective owners that they can never be left off lead outside of a fenced garden. 
So, I have already scared this breeder because I've told her I do let my own dog -- another Cairn -- off lead in my local common area.   It's the only place I ever do because there are plenty of other dogs to play with and no cars.  I would not want to test her recall against a distraction like a squirrel, but I spent a lot of time with her on it and "rehearse" at least once a day.  Generally all I need to do is call her name and she comes back to me. 

So, my question is .. has anyone successfully trained an older dog on the recall?   This dog has never been off lead, except in a fenced garden.  The breeder is worried and now has me concerned that it would be nearly impossible to do so.  And I am not going to lie to her and tell her I am not going to at least try to see if he is reliable off lead, so I may be talking myself out of a companion for my bitch, Abby.

Stacey

Yes I have a long time ago and it took a good deal of time. If I was to do it now I think I would use a clicker as that is quick and enjoyable for all. If you don't understand the use of a clicker then I or any number of people on the forum will explain how to achieve this.

Jackie,

I will try the clicker with him in training.  I use treats for Abby, have the clicker, but somehow never got around to really using it.   

Stacey

I have trained older dogs to recall, no problem.  Personally I would not put Cairns into the same category as say Huskies with regards to being on the lead whatever the breed clubs say; my mother has had 3 and all were let off the lead and returned no problem and I know at least 12 others I meet regularly who are off the lead as most dogs are and none of their owners are by any means expert trainers etc...................

Hi Stacey,
Is the dog male or female? Sometimes males are more unreliable than bitches for recall. As you know it depends on the dog also.
I know of 3 other older Cairns. Two owned by a neighbour of mine (1 dog,1bitch) who never lets the dogs off the lead and another neighbour who has one (a bitch) who lets her run off lead but regularly has recall problems. I also have recall problems with Hamish so he only goes off the lead if we are on our own in a field and I keep him very busy with fetch games. As soon as I get the slightest idea that he is losing interest though, back on the lead he goes or he would be off hunting for sure. If I am struggling to get him interested in playing he goes straight back on the lead. It's a 20 ft extension lead so he doesn't mind. Nothing is worth losing Hamish for, I just don't want to take the risk.
A

Thanks everyone, I passed the test, the breeder spent two hours at my home this morning!   Rudy (the young lad's name) and Abby get along very well.  He is an absolute love, a kisser.   He is also an unbelievable bundle of energy at 16 months, always on the go and with an inch and 1/2 or so extra leg on Abby can outrun her.

I pick him up next weekend and then will take a week off to get him used to his new home.

I will start training once he is settled.  He started off as a show dog, but had the unfortunate habit of tucking one of his testicles back up inside him, so he was neutered and now is not shown.  The breeder said that people that saw him as a puppy are now calling her because they want to use him at stud .. but it's a bit too late.  :-)

Anyway, I feel very lucky and Abby (my bitch) will have canine companionship.

Once Rudy settles I will need to do the basics with him and then start working on the recall.  Fingers crossed he will eventually be okay, but he's such a lovely dog he's worth it even if he does prove unreliable.  But I am going to give him my very best shot at it.  If it's been done before I should have a fighting chance. 

Stacey

Thanks Tohme.  There are three other Cairns who also are off lead in the Common where I walk Abby.  I shall give the "new boy" a try when he is ready and see how it goes.   Will certainly be in the market for a long training lead or wash line sometime soon :-)

Stacey