Hi ppl i am in need of help and advice my 19mnth old staffy bitch will not come when called although she does come back to me just not when i ask. It doesnt matter what treats i have anymore and she is a food motivated dog tried whistle shake of treats toys loud squeaky voice even rolled around the floor in the park still nothing she  makes me look stupid. As it is when there is a dog or a person without a dog she is off and it could be other side of the park and as some ppl do not care for dogs its frightening for them to have a playful staffy jumping up just wanting to say hi. I have even been shouted at by ppl who have been very angry about getting a dog run at them please i am so sad as other than this and the jumping up at everyone she is very very well trained in all other aspects as i went through all the training classes with her thanks in advance

It's a simple case of back to basics I'm afraid. Go back to practising recalls in the house with really nice, really smelly treats. Try and only call her to give her something nice, don't ask her to come to put her in the bath or cut her nails :)  Once she's coming racing every time you call her in the house move out to the garden and do the same out there. Once she's 100% in the garden take her somewhere quiet outside to practise and gradually move up to the park once you're sure she will come back. All mine have excellent recalls but I still treat them, and never ever call them to get their leads on- except in an emergency.

Meanwhile I wouldn't let her off lead in busy places, I would look for empty fields/tennis courts or similar to exercise her till I was sure I had control of her. You could try and get her used to playing with you too when out, with a ball or similar so she doesn't notice anyone else.

Hi happygirlie,

Don't stress yourself, we've all been there, she is obviously reaching her rebellious age they all do it at different stages over the first 2-3 years, they start off great and sometimes stay great for a long time, then the hormones kick in and they think they know better and can do as they please.

As already stated by chaumsong back to basics ;-) and certainly do as suggested with recall practise in your garden constantly, not that she has forgotten all your training, it is all still there, but it needs re-inforcing again to over-ride her own callings, I would get her a long line now for your walks, she still has freedom to run and play and sniff around some distance from you, you can keep practising the re-call with her on this too but she can not bolt away from you anymore and you can control her around other people and dogs.

You must keep her under control at this stage of her growth or you can loose all you have taught her, be a little sterner as you need to re-affirm yourself as the boss and try to stay happy and relaxed on your walks the long line will be a great asset for you and your girl.

Have you tried using a long training  lead on her and rewarding with a treat when she returns?
Do you scold her when she doesnt return immediately?

>Do you scold her when she doesnt return immediately?

Good point. You'de be surprised at how many owners call their dogs back to them 5numerous times,and then when they eventually return they get a smack or a yelling at :( So in the dogs eyes they are getting told off for returning to their owners,very confusing indeed for the poor puppers. Make sure and always,always praise you're dog when she returns to you.

As well as practicing recall as others have suggested (and certainly don't scold her no matter how tempting!) keep her on a long lead on the occasions you really can't have her running off and doing her own thing. Indeed, it may well be that she needs to learn to enjoy on-lead walks in certain circumstances for some while to come. If not always. This way you will never get stressed with her which certainly adds an additional element that dogs who are difficult to recall seem to make the most of!

Only I've got a dog that could hunt for England if all the right factors are in place and no amount of treats or going back to basics will overcome this. Not least because his recall is excellent in all other cases as is his ability to leave people and other dogs alone. Since he was bred to hunt he's only doing what nature intended but I circumvent his chances and it doesn't seem to spoil his enjoyment of a walk even if this has to be taken on a long lead.

I havent read all of the replies so sorry in advance if repeating..

long line and back to basics but also get your dog interested in a ball I have 3 dogs who show no interest in leaving the pack to explore as they are so obsessed with thier ball ,other dogs come and try to join in and they show them no interest as long as I have the ball and they can carry a toy in thier mouth  (stops the barking) they just love to run and chase the ball of course I am completely knackered at the end of the walk but ...so are they!

I have to admit I start this at the puppy stage playing football in the garden , carrying the ball for heel work etc

It works so well I can put the ball in my pocket and they will just follow me.

Also they DONT get the ball at any other time other than in the garden as a game or in the park it then goes away until the next time which I think in the key!

HTH

Roni

Sory took forever to thank you all my cmputer went awol any how no i never scold her when i cl her back even if it takes a lifetime for her to return she still gets a cuddle for coming eventually thnks for all the help though