Recall again

Hi everyone, I've got big probs with my Staff, she was 100% on recall until about two months ago, i've been walking with three other dog owners and their dogs we all meet up and the dogs have a wonderfull run about and play together, I thought it was good for Bobbles to have a good run around with other dogs , but now whats happening when off the lead she'll run upto all dogs expecting a play and will not come back when called I know its my fault I should have not let her played with the other dogs so freely in the first place, does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this, would it be best to keep her on the lead and start recall all over again

It is good for them to play but do you make sure that at times when they are playing you call them back & then release them again? Does she recall perfectly if other dogs are not about?

You need to make it more rewarding - more fun, to have your dog want to come back to you, rather than play with the other dogs.

Is your dog totally food obsessed, or a special toy?

Use whatever it is. And milk it to the max.

Mine will come for food - I know of others who will do absolutely anything for a certain toy.

You just have to find what it is that is more fascinating than another dog.

Do you do any training with her normally? I am a bit of a training fiend and most walks, spend some of the time interacting with my dog and training her.

We do sits, stays, lots of playing, chase games with kong on a rope (do sit, wait, then Ok! and release for the chase) plus scent games, tuggies, through the legs - endless play training

If you do this, you will find that she will become more responsive to you anyway. You can use a mix of toys and ultra tasty food rewards.

For your particular situation, do you sometimes call her away from other dogs whilst she's playing with them? if so, best to wait until she's tired, then call her and big reward. And release her to go back to play sometimes.

The biggest mistake can be to call the dog and put on lead when it is still wanting to play as the dog hten doesn't want to come back next time

With training, done correctly, the dog will come back at any time but it does take practice :smt002

I'd also suggest you try to walk more on your own with her and use some of the walk for play training for obedience, I wouldn't walk with the other dogs all the time. How lovely though that they can all play together and have fun, it's so nice to hear.

Wys
x

Have to agree with this - make recall fun not just its the end of the walk!

And lots of interactive games too - to keep attention on you - element of surprise and all that!

Another idea which I used is the 'find it' with food game. Using tastiest fav treats (remember to vary often to keep him guessing once the behaviour is learnt!)

Basically to start the game and each 'find it' I say in over excited voice "Ready, are you ready?" with piece of food in hand - I then (initially but building up to further distances when she has got the hang of it) throw the food just a short distance from her. Saying find it - if she can't find it (shorten the distance next time) but show her where it is. Say "good find it" - and repeat a few times.

Maybe try at home first just to get the hang of it?

Then release for a 'go play'.

Each time you play this always start with "ready, ready" - I show the food first and kind of move my hand around so he isn't sure where I throw it - change direction to so he doesn't pre-empt where it goes!

So sometimes instead of a recall - perhaps call back with Ready, ready to find it? (obviously do this only once she knows the game well enough!)

I don't think you have done anything wrong at all in letting your dog socialise with your friends and I'm sure that soon enough you can get back on track with your recall!

You know these four legged friends of ours like to keep us on our toes! All the best

Hi everyone thanks for the advice, she's very good when she's playing with the other dogs she will come back to me when I call her and alot of the time she comes back to me on her own as she's very treat orrientated she'll come to me sit beside me looking for her reward, sometimes when all three dogs are playing they may spot another dog and they'll all run as a pack over to the other dogs but Bobbles will always come back to me instead of running off with them, I took her out this morning and we had a great game of ball , i'll have to work hard on getting her attention again and maybe not meet up with the other dog owners, which i'd been doing once a day, thanks again