tohme, I noticed on your last reply to fee fee's post about her dog running off that you reckon it takes a couple years for a reliable recall on a high prey drive dog - have you ever had to train it into a high prey drive dog that isn't a pup?

I ask because both my dogs are like this, and both are two, but both have real crappy recalls, as well as many, many experiences of chasing rabbits!  I am training them at the mo with a method that seems to be working, just wondered if you had any tips to imrpove things further?  One is a doberman (responds the best), the other is a rott X (easily distracted).

Thanks!

Nikita,

I've had to train a dog like this, and he wasn't food/toy orientated either. He was 2 when I started and it was a long, hard slog, day in day out for a full 2 years.  But at the end of it I had a dog who would go into an instant 'down/stay' at my command no matter what the distance.  Getting his attention was the hardest thing as once moving he was deaf to my calls! but it is possible :)  You will feel so proud the day it all comes together :D

Yes I had to do it with a 10 month old dog that I rehomed who had never been let off the lead and who when let off literall used to bog off a mile away (and I am not exaggerating) fortunately he had the room to do that on the downs.

Of course, the secret is, not to let them chase rabbits............... :D