i have a 7 month labrador cross, she is fine in most ways but has been becoming increasingly worse at recall when off the lead on walks. She now seems to sense when we are nearly home and she has to go back on the lead. she sits down and just watches us walk, but if we go to approach her she heads back of up the field, after about five minutes finally allowing herself to be put back on the lead! it is only the last part of the walk, she is generally responsive. she goes to  puppy training classes and is generally well behaved doing a recall fine in the hall! Im not sure if im better putting her on an extendable lead, or letting her off for shorter times? when we're in an area she doesnt know she is fine so it seems like shes testing us!

How many times during the walk do you call her to you, put her on the lead, walk a few paces then let her off again? Maybe she's learned that you only call her to you to end her fun, and she's too clever to fall for that!

I usually only hold her collar in the middle of walks so maybe  putting her on the lead might help!she is clever, its just getting a bit worrying when im in a field and she just keeps running Thanks Kat

Keep her guessing. Whatever you do, don't turn her running away into a rewarding game. Crouch down and study a very interesting (;)) flower or stone, whilst watching her out of the corner of your eye. Walk off in a different direction. Try all sorts to keep her wondering what you're going to do next. And, of course, never scold her when she eventually comes to you!

it makes it hard, because i dont want to punish her for coming back, but im not sure if she knows its wrong! im going for the praising her when i do get her back! i think because im not sure if shes going to do it, she senses something in my voice

Dogs do not do right or wrong, just safe or dangerous.

Your voice is probably different, start using a whistle, it is consistent and carries further and does not sound different when you are cross etc.

Yes i would say let her off for shorter times, the game piggy in the middle is good in the back garden, just get you and a friend and loads of treats and call the dog back and forth when she comes give her big over the top phrases and treats, she should soon learn it's good to come to you as she gets a reward.  Also she is young she is probably just going through her teenage stage and being a bit rebellious she should turn into a well rounded dog if you carry on with your obedience work.

Good luck Frank

Thanks! Shes definitely rebellious at the moment as im writing this i have a squeaking of a toy in background! i'll try the games but sometimes she thinks freedom is better than food, so i suppose ive just got to be patient! Kat

If you feed her dry, just portion out her daily ration into 10 - 20 bags and only feed her when you recall her; each time she ignores you, just bin or save the portion for the next day.  She will get hungry and you will be amazed at her obedience after a few days.  Don't take treats just feed her her normal ration in this way, if she does not come back she loses a 10th or 20th of her allowance.

Food treats are probably the way to go with a labrador! :) the treats should be taken from the daily diet but at only 7 months old I don't think her rations should be cut at all.

I would also do some formal recall training but without the sit in front or going to heel just making a really big fuss & clip on the lead & then treat her

She can do a recall but in fields her training seems to be forgotten as its to exciting!maybe i should use a long line?

She won't have forgotten just other things seem more interesting Thats why I teach two recalls the complete formal recall for competition & the "happy"recall  for walks etc when the dog knows it will be put on lead but also that there is a treat & a release to play again. Bit like a child going through puberty with all the hormones racing about the brain & the body

Keeping your voice light & happy when you call her will help too & standing upright & not bending over when she comes towards you

The first dog I ever trained had been to a dog breaker & she was terrified of chokers, collars of any sort & leads when fear overtook her & she was two frightened to came back I used to sit on the floor/ground & pretend to eat her treats, even when she was ok if I bent over when she cam back in recall she would run off frightened of being grabbed

I picked up on the age, 7-months. She is finding her feet in the world, getting more confident to wonder off from you and trying to see what she can get away with. Don't always call her for the lead in the same spot, and call her in during the walk just for a treat and a cuddle, so she will never know if it's going to be a "lead call" or a "treat call". BTW, I never use "come" for wanting to put the lead on, I use "here puppy" or something like that. When you are coming back towards home, call her earlier just you can get her on the lead, but the next day call her in the same place, and then let her play more. I mean, keep changing the spot, so she won't learn to associate one place with being put on the lead.

Does this make sense?:)

Soph i think it makes very good sense.

Regards Frank