Hi All

I have an 8 month old Staffie and would like to train him so that eventually he can walk off of the lead. Before I do this I need to teach recall. Not sure how this is done, can anyone help? I have just lost my job and cant really afford training so if I can do this myself then it would be better.

Also, once I am happy with his recall, how do I go about letting him off for the 1st time?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Caroline, i myself just let my dog off when we go for a walk on a secluded railway track which is not in use, do you practice at home recalling him to you in the back garden, when i let Nina off on a walk she stays close, she's 17 weeks old, i've always just let my dogs off on a walk but i suppose it depends on the dog or the person, someone else will have different opinions from me but i have like i said let my dogs off and then went from there.  In saying that though my dogs do concentrate on where i am.

Warm regards Susan

Hi

I wouldnt say I practice recall in the garden but of course I call him to come in and he seems pretty obedient.

My worry is that he is so bouncy and excitable that he goes into a 'zone' when hes excited and if he saw something he liked would run off and wouldnt hear me calling. I know for a fact that if I let him off he wouldnt stay close either!!

I will start practicing in the garden though. Thanks for the advice.

Caroline

One way to get a good recall is to make sure that your dog enjoys coming back to you, I teach what I call a "happy"recall

I also start training in the garden asap. You will probably what to start on lead as your puppy is 8 months old(I don't have a problem with that although I train off lead all the time ;) )

Starting with him is a sit or down whichever you want & take a step directly in front of him & taking couple of steps backwards & calling him on the second step & maing a big big fuss & treat if you want

Gradually increase the distance when he is steady on the previous distance until you are at the end of your lead length(the longer lead the longer the distance ;)), all the time making sure you make a big big fuss when he gets to you

When he is steady on lead go back to stage one off lead & when he comes to you clip on the lead & then treat/fuss This means that he will see putting the lead on as the precursor a treat

This method means your dog comes back because he wants to be with you & knows he will be rewarded

When you first let him off it is best to try to be in a fairly distraction free area & don't forget the treats & praise & lead on & then release, if he loses concentration on you you can try kneeing down facing away from him & talking to the ground or imaginary dog/friend etc in a silly funny voice & when he does come back make a fuss after clipping on the lead & treat

I would also as a separate exercise an instant stop/down. Can be done on lead again to start, simply doing some heelwork without stopping put him into a down & walk round him, at first staying just around him but later walking further & further away when he is going down on command without being touched you can do the exercise off lead & when he has grasped this you are halfway to the distance down.  Next step is to be playing with him & give him the down command & go to him(telling him down all the time) & praise & treat whilst he is in the down & clip on the lead & treat again when he has grasped this you can start to combine it with the recall to make him think what is coming next & engage his brain

Best of luck

Ill give it a go. Thanks

I have come straight home and tried what you said in the garden. I cant beleive it - I always knew he was a clever little dog and was taught to sit from 7 weeks but I have never done recall or even 'Stay' with him. I took him out inm the garden and did what you said without the lead on. I took a few steps back and told him to stay, holding my finger up to him as I said it. Not only did he stay but he stayed for me to take about 6 steps back and cam immediately as I called him.

Thank you so much for the advice, I will do this every day with him and for my peace of mind will take him out on an extendable lead to begin with to make sure he comes when I call.

Instead of going to classes, what about a good training book, or "Your Dog" magazine is really helpful ( June issue touches on recall). We have never attended classes but find all things needed via forums like this or as above.
Good luck
Deb

Some training classes are really cheap i go to two that are only £3 a night, its not the best but its far from the worst. its helped me train my dogs from being pups. Ring round a few places and see what they charge.
A good way of training a recall is with a long line on a field get a nice tuggy toy or some treats, if your going to use a toy dont throw it have a game of tug then the dog enoys the game with you instead of going and getting the toy and being away

The nice thing about classes is that you get to train, in a controlled situation, with what is probably the greatest distraction your pooch will face - other dogs.