Going back to basics with recall...

Yep, we've decided it's time. Axel has a great recall the majority of the time (about 85-90% of the time) which isn't bad and he doesn't rush up to dogs, will recall away from them and if I catch him in time I can call him away from squirrels and other things like that.

The times he doesn't come back straight away is when he's busy sniffing something. Calling away from dogs he's playing with is fine, but bushes and grass are too distracting sometimes.

My plan is to go back to having him on his harness and flexi lead and calling him once and then reel him in if he doesn't respond, treat and release when he does...sound ok? Like I said, most of the time he's fine and when he's done sniffing he'll run full pelt back to me, but I would like a less distracted recall

I hide from Samson if he ignores me when I call him, in a bush or by a tree, when he finally looks to see where I am he gets a shock so I step out and he is so happy to see me and listens the next time

How do you teach a dog recall? If my pup is playing, I can't get him to come to me at all. If he's doing anything he wants really then he doesnt tend to listen but whenever I leave a room he cries for me

I'd be inclined to use a long line rather than a flexi. With a flexi, the dog always feels the pull of the spring loaded part so can make it less relaiabe when you take it off. With a long line, there is no pressure, and you just use it as a safety net when he is running away towards danger not to reel him in. I hope this helps.

John
www.glasgowdogtrainer.co.uk

Remember the two essentials when using a long line.

A harness (a long line should never be attached to a collar or head halter)

And gloves!

And avoid hawthorne hedges.

Just saying.

rune

and ditches............................

And do NOT use it by the road!

Try the heirachy of rewards, Smokeybear has mentioned it on another recall thread.

Thanks guys
I can't use a long line, I used it last time I was trying to teach recall...epic failure. Axel totally freaked out when the line even touched his leg or there was any tension around his leg. Even now he freaks out and freezes...just the other day I heard something fall in the living room and he'd got 1 leg loosely tangled (it was barely touching) in a cable and was frozen to the spot. I don't think I can go down the long line route, but thank you

Things are going well with the flexi so far, not got to letting him off but hopefully not miles away.