Thank you LABRADORK

Yes, I guess I forget how young he is because he's so big and in some ways, quite self-contained.

Also because when he came to us he was already 13 months, and apparently had NEVER been told what to do by anyone, I think that's made it harder to install a good recall.

But as you recommend, I will of course keep going - with Dex on a long line. A long, long, long line

Thanks for the encouragement Much appreciated

Thanks for this suggestion, I will try and find a calm dog; at the moment all of Dex's mates are about as bouncy as he is

I think as others have said, his age has a LOT to do with it, in which case it's a matter of working through and ensuring you don't teach the wrong things accidentally!

Are you making sure that you stick to the "rules"?

For example:

Don't recall when you know he is not likely to respond - go to him or reel him in, instead.

Don't recall him just as he is boming off to see other dogs, or as he is in themiddle of play with them - wait until he is tired, about to flop down, and then call him and give HUGE rewards!

Then over time, you can start to call him gradually earlier and earlier (but let him play at other times too, of course).

Also you can use play as a reward for obeying you - e.g. when he does come back to you, you can take his collar, say "good boy, off you go" and direct him back to play

I've seen many a good recall ruined by peeps calling dogs at the wrong time, or making the recall cue meaningless.

If you've accidentally done this, then consider using another word/whistle

I can't recall if he's neutered, sorry. If he's not then he may just have a huge urge to be extremely sociable at the moment

Wys
x

you've tried everything.
you must need an ecollar

Do you have any "key words/emergancy words" Loaded up with him?

Have you a good name response, (NOT a recall, just a good name response) & are you still training the name response with distractions? Do you load up the name response throughout the walk, & when you first get out of the car?or get to the park?

Ive said it about a billion times before, but no-one takes any notice, but teach the recall in FOUR separate parts
Part 1. Name response
Part2. Come (thats the RUNNING back bit must be praised as SOON as the movement starts)
Part 3.all the way/nice close to me
Part4. stay here with me until you are released

I find in general that the "come" is not taught correctly, ie the final getting back to you bit is rewarded, but not the 5 seconds before bit whilst the dog is actually running!

To me,the most important bit is name response

good post

my big thing is people not following points 2. and 3.

i think the chatty encouragment is key, especially along the way as he is running toward you....i tend to whoop it up, call out "yaaaaay", that sort of then.
so 2. kind of merges into 3.

I am glad I came across this thread!
Alfie is exactly the same... although he can take his time in coming back if he is sniffing something....

Might give smokeybears method a shot with the food!

How long should you continue to do the food/recall like this for?

Alfie doesn't bother with treats outside, even today I took some chicken and he tuned his nose up at it!

That's not even funny

I would never, ever use an e collar on my Dexie. Never.

I start praising him as soon as he turns to look at me - before he even (hopefully) starts heading over to me.

Thanks for the advice, am going to remember it

I think you've made a great point - I have sometimes tried recall when it was probably never going to work.....

I'll be careful not to make this mistake any more, many thanks

Yes, he is neutered, but still very drawn to the girls....