We have a 10 month old GSP pup who was returned before Xmas as her owners could not cope. She has settled really well with our others and seems quite happy. However one of the problems she had is that she will not come back when let loose.She totally ignores her name (She does this in the house sometimes) and when you try to catch her it becomes a 'game'. I have only had her loose in our garden which is over half an acre and to no avail so I daren't think about loosing her where the others go , especially after Dimes accident. have tried the obvious like running away, treats etc but no luck. A friend suggested coupling her to another dog. Has anyone any experience of this? What happens if they go round separate tree trunks:) I don't want squashed dogs!!!

Rather than a coupling, have you considered the Aboistop Masterplus collar? I bought one for Chewi as he became very bad at recall. After 2 sessions with the collar and a flexi lead he is now reliable off lead, even when he sees other dogs and cyclists. Every time he comes back he gets lots of lavish praise and sometimes a titbit to reinforce. It was exceptionally painless (not to mention quick) for me and him :). The collar wouldn't affect your other dogs and would be safer than using a coupling imho.
Jean

We have a masterplus and I did try it when she first came back just because she was so hyper, dashing through doors etc but it had no effect at all. Not much fazes her.. She is much calmer now, it is just the running off problem
Sue

Can i ask what the collar is you mentioned and how does it work exactly. I also have a problem with 11mth dog with selective hearing when it comes to recall. I have tried everything. He's better than he used to be but only 8/10. I would like 10/10 for safety reasons.

I have tried this, and it worked the first couple of occasions, but you need to be on Open ground, as you say. Problem was that the young bitch who has a mind of her own turned out to be stronger than the ones she was coupled to, so when they responded to my call, and she was busy sniffing, they couldn't budge her. I then found that the poor dogs that were being used to couple with her were not liking the experience one bit, so I gave it up, as it isn't fair on them.

I have been using a long line with some success, unless she goes on one and disapperas into the distance with 20 foot line merrily waving behind! It works brilliantly if I can get within 20 feet of her, and use it in the suggested manner. she is just way to smart. I will keep her on the line in my hand, then let it trail, and she responds beautifully for aq while, you think by jove she's got it, then one day she will look up, and thumb her nose at you and go where she wants. she always comes back and finds you, but when she wants.

Of course the worry is that she could get into danger when you can't see where she is. This is why she only gets fre running in the country park, where the liklihood of running into trouble, before returning, is small.

I use the long line theory but i must admit murph knows when the rope is on and when its off !! So i let it trail and try not to think about what its trailed in
Liz

Horse Lunge lines are great for this. Made of Nylon web, washable (If they get covered in unmentionables) and have a lead clip at one end. We use these instead of flexi leads for all of our 4. They tangle less, you can see them easier (so less of a trip hazard) and best of all, they do not seize up if they get wet. most large-ish pet stores do them at around £10, or can be got mail order. Also great as tethers when on camp-sites where dogs must be kept on leads.

Sheilagh

Thanks Sheilagh, I might try one of those
Sue