Our 9 month old Cairn completely ignores us when we call him in from the garden. Even if we are in the garden with him. He just won't come to us, treats or no treats. It's as if he is thinking, 'this is my territory and I can do what I like'. If he is in the garden on his own and barking, we try and call him in so as not to disturb our neighbours, not a hope, he just won't come in. If we go out to get him in it turns into a big game which there is no way in the world we would win so now we don't try.
His recall when he is on a walk now is brilliant we are even now and again letting him walk off the lead in selected areas. He will wait when told at stiles, he will sit when told from a distance he will fetch his Frisbee, balls etc although that isn't a problem in the garden either. He runs and plays in the fields and ALWAYS now comes to us when called but not in the garden. Can anyone help us with this please?
A

Can you put him on a length of washing line in the garden, without the risk of him getting tied up?  Then you can use that to reel him in, without going through the 'chase me' game ;)

I had exactly this problem with my dog when she hit adolescence; again like yours she was very good elsewhere at recall but just not in the garden. I basically used a line as Digger suggested, and called her in about 20 times a day, and each and every time gave her some tasty food treat and let her go again most of the time but not all.
Eventually after -not sure, actually, but somehow i must have known she was "ready" and let her off the line, and she did great recalls and even does it with mega distractions such as Italian neighbours singing and barking to her :rolleyes: <g>.

I sometimes just fuss her now, or play with a toy or say "walk?" and lead on for an outing, so she always gets something nice but may not always be food.

Lindsay
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Thanks folks, I'll give the washing line ploy a try.
Good luck with your neighbours Lindsay, just throw them a bone that'll keep 'em quiet.
A x

LOL I never thought of that Andi!!  :D

Lindsay
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