Hello

With a hope that this time this discussion will not be locked or turn into a different one, or even be hogged or hijacked by someone so highly opinionated but not helping the matter, I must put them straight I do not believe in e-collars to any extent, I have a belief that if it is fit for a human in many cases it is fit for an animal. After all would you put an e-collar on a child? I hope not!

and yes the last one was locked in the end, it was my Husband who started this post so Duke as someone pointed out incorrectly as a she is actually a he!

Anyhow

Thanks to the rest of you (you know who you are) for the help and constructive critisism you will be pleased to hear we are making slight progress. To try and recall some answers to your questions (no pun intended) when we say he runs off and takes an hour to come back we mean he doesnt disappear into the distance just runs circles around us or we are trying to comand him to stop dead in his antics so we can go to a recall or avoid certain dangers or chases whilst he is free to roam (used to grab his attention or distract him from possible negative situations) he is learning to stop and think instead of dashing madly off so he does have inteligence!

I dont think it makes it any easier that he is crossed as a Lurcher collie and we do take hi to 'other places' to give him exercise. Each weekend he goes to Therapaws for a swim with his other doggy chums. Here he also goes to agility classes where the trainer has helped us no end and the rest of the class can see his improvement, he even won 4th place in their last doggy day show!

We are looking at investing in a dog whistle, again a simple idea that hadnt crossed our minds.

So please post your helpful ideas as I am giving this board a second chance!

Thank you :)

Duke & Guinness

Hi! Glad to hear progress is being made!

Just a thought, and one that no doubt you've tried so I apologise in advance! is, rather than try to recall him in this situation, could you practice his 'distant' control? I mean, to start with in the garden, get him going into a 'sit' or a 'down' when he's some way away from you? Then that could be applied when he's prancing around and being a pain to get back - he might be more likely to sit, then down, and wait till you get to him rather than him being called back to you?

As I say, it's probably something you've already tried, but I thought it worth suggesting anyhow. Good luck with him - he sounds a great dog!
:)

Hi Jeangenie

Thanks for your reply,

To be honest we hadnt exactly thought of this approach but many similar! Will give it a go when we go out later.

Thanks

Guinness & Duke

:)

Tut Tut JG how dare you nick my thoughts :D

I do teach my pupils to have a happy recall & this is taught in a confined space so no chance of the dog bolting etc, once tha dog has a sit & stay(even though it is only a foot or two away from the handler)then recall training can begin, I like the dogs to have a very positive experience so a big fuss & titbit/toy reward is given as soon as the dog gets to the handler-no sit/go to heel just the dog in front of the handler(a pretend clipping on of the lead & treat0 Once the dog has grasped this to a leads length then I hold the lead behind the dog whilst the handler leaves it & then calls & again no sit no heel just a big fuss & again a play clip the lead on & then treat, eventually when the dog has enough confidence this is done off lead & the lead is clipped on & then the treat given.

After each successful phase a quick play with a tuggy etc

Once the dog is doing this confidently from a static position we go to phase three, with the dog loose & away from the handler(again in an area the dog cannot escape from)the recall command & visual signal given & the clip on of lead & treat given with lots of praise clip on lead & treat

This way the dog has happy exeperiences with the command & is used to having the lead put on & rewarded & few of the dogs have problems.even though the "Kevin months"as long as the training is still ongoing interspersed with play & treating

This training is not done on walks etc until the third stage

I had never really articulated that one JG but you know I ahve a pretty independat breed, adn I often find it far better to tell them to go on (when they meet people or dogs) than to try and get them back when they are already heading that way. 

In this way they get to satisfy their curiosity but know I am fast on theri heels and will move on after a brief heello or sniff which is important whn there are five of them who might overface a timid dog.

I have also found stearing them in the direction your going rather than total recal also works well, ashout of wait or this way is useful.

Finally or really Firstly, if you can see them heading your way recall lots of praise and send of to play again so recall doesn't mean lead on and end of fun.  this one is the most important for my dogs c o-operation.

Ooh yes, the call of "This way!" usually gets them running in the direction I've turned, to get ahead of me again!

Hello, I've been in touch with several people who have given recall tips and one lady swears by this method when recalling, she crouches down into the grass, calls the dog's name and 'come', and without fail her dogs have returned - I guess it sparks curiousity in the dog.

While she was in the park last week another owner was frustrated that its dog wouldn't come back to them, so she showed this owner her method and low and behold the dog came back to her.

I'm going to try it out myself one day when I eventually get a dog - I don't mind crouching in the grass :)

BTW JeanGenie and Moonmaiden's advice is always incredibly sound and useful as you would have figured by now :)

Best regards

Thanks Maplecottage that is a new idea we shall try it. We are trying them all as many of them are based on similar themes and principale.

Thanks again everybody. What a great, friendly board we have found only wish we had found it earlier!

Guinnes & Duke

LOL there is only one way to train a dog with love, kindness & respect what ever the actual technique it must incorporate all three.

I still have recall problems with one of mine who came back as a teenage rebel.  One method that works with her is to simply refuse to carry on letting her (in her mind) lead the walk.  I have sat down on a bench and refuse d to move until she came to me.  I do not call her then just make sure she sees me and I do call the others (makes it boring for them poor loves).  I have sat like this once for half an hour aware that the little b**** was watching me from the bushes determined to break my resolve, but eventually she came in my direction at which point I got up turned and walked a few paces and called her, on coming she got a treat.

She is now 5 years old and will never be as reliable I don't think as her predecesoors or ehr daughter, she is OK for most of the time, but every once in a while she totally does what she wants as regards exploring, so only goes off lead where she can't cause or get into danger.

Totally agree MM. A dog who gets chastised on recall won't want to come back next time :)

If you or anyone reading gets really stuck on recall, John Rogerson has written a great little booklet with some very clever ideas in it. If a dog doesn't recall after the owner has read that, I would be very surprised indeed!

It can help immensely to get a dog hooked on to a fav. toy because often a dog will prefer that to other dogs, so it can make life much easier.

A few thoughts I would pass on are;

Be prepared for adolescence and go back to basics here if necessary
Never recall just to put the dog back on lead; but do practise putting lead on, rewarding with food and then letting go again to play
Be unpredictable on walks
Do training on walks - try to make it fun, so a few sits and downs and maybe a search for a toy
Don't call dog unless you know he will come back. If necessary go and get him.
If you want to call your dog away from other dogs, wait until he has had enough of playing and is showing signs of slowing down and panting

Lindsay
x

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Training Your Dog To Come When Called

I was trying to remember the name & I think this is the one you mean Won't work as a link :(