Have posted several times over the last 16 months re: my Westies inability to hear the word 'come'.
Usual scenario was he would run to the ends of the earth if he saw another dog in the distance hence i always put him on the lead if i spotted another dog/s. On the lead he would pull towards other dogs. I tried every gaget known to man to try and distract him away from his quest. In every other respect he was great. Well folks today has been a great day. Over the past week i noticed he was'nt pulling on the lead towards other dogs but rather he'd stand awhile just looking at them and was easily coaxed away from them. Today in the park i bit the bullet and thought i'd see how he went off the lead even when other dogs were around. He totally ignored dogs in the distance (great cause i'm past my sprinting days). 3 or 4 other dogs got very close and he just looked at them then came running back to me when i called.
He did have alittle run around with a lovely springer S, (he only went slightly deaf at this point as he was having loads of fun but came running back to me as happy as can be).
I'M SO PROUD, if i'd had a rosette on me he'd be wearing it.
Long may it continue. Sorry to bore you all but none of my doggy owning friends would think anything of this little triumph.
Budmag

That's brilliant! Doesn't it make a difference when it all starts coming together? I bet you enjoyed that walk the best of all you've had! Well done for putting in the effort and not just giving up.
:)

Hello Budmag I can really relate to your story as I have a 9 month old who slings a deefie as we say in Scotland every so often. Like your Westie it is usually when playing with other dogs, or if something crosses his sightline when lhe's ahead of me. I have resorted to bolting across palying fields yelling happily " MOrse, Come!" or lying down in the mud to arouse curiosity. Funnily enough he's great at recall at home and at classes, and Ican put him into a Stay, Down at distance but when I arrive at his shoulder He bolts. We use a long line to practise recall and he has to answer a recall to be fed or play at home. Ikeepworking away at it and have learnedlots of tactful apologies as MOrse is a big lad and can bemistaken for an untrained older dog. Your story is very encouraging Thanks

Well done ! It really makes it all worth while when they do something right !!

Lucy
xxx