Why does he do this to us

We have had Scooby,a 2 and 1/2 yr old choc lab for 9 weeks now.
His good points are that he does not bark ..he is housetrained.....does not chew......he has no seperation anxiety.....he walks lovely on the lead......he does not jump up on furniture nor does he go into rooms he is not allowed in....he does not fight and is not aggressive with humans or other dogs or possesive with food or toys.
His only problem is recall when off the lead.
It is REALLY upsetting as he is good with whistle training when there is no-one else in the park.
He goes down and waits / stays while I walk away,then 3 toots and he comes racing over the park straight to me and sits at my feet. BUT...if there is ANY other dog or person in view he totally ignores me and runs off to them like I dont exist
He scares little kids when he runs towards them as he is a big lad, he pops footballs and nicks kids football kit when they are trying to play in the park.
I love Scooby to bits but this one tiny aspect is getting me down.
I cant afford to have him professionally trained.
Why is it, that he is perfect in the house and most of the time on the park but odd occasions he ignores me and disrespects me like this?
I have tried food treats...running away clapping my hands....taking his fave toy out with us yet nothing will tempt him back to me. I usually have to trudge right over and try catch him
Does anyone have any ideas on how to make him come every time?
xxxx

I would pop him on a long line while you are out so that he is not free to run up to children and scare them.
then I would carry on with your whistle training.
Recall at short distances with distractions - if he doesn't come a gentle tug will remind him to come back. Keep increasing the distance as he improves.
Please, until he has recall, keep him on a long lead - for his safety as well as others.
You've only had him 9 weeks, he might need a bit more time to settle completely.

He's not doing it to you, he just finds other dogs and kids etc. more interesting than you at that time. I agree when kids are around he needs to be on a long line so that you can reel him in.
I would practise making myself more interesting, have more fun, find his buttons and start to push them. Make the dog focus on you much more rather than his surroundings. Play hide and seek, where he has to find you. Chop and change direction with no warning, start with him on a line, don't tell him just change the direction, as soon as he comes to you change again, you'll look a bit odd but hey it's always worked for me.

You have only had him nine weeks - give it time A dog club is usually only a couple of pounds a week - and there you can work on recall in a busy place with lots of dogs - be well worth it

hi
you have to teach your dog to come on commend
here is how



Attach the 4-foot leash to your dog's collar and stroll around the house or yard with him. When he has wandered to the end of the leash,and his attention is on something else, stop walking. Call his name in a cheerful voice, rockey.
Immediately crouch down, open your arms invitingly, and call in a happy voice, Come.
The instant he starts toward you, pat your hands together and praise and end courage him, (COME good boy) Make sure the leash hangs completely loose as he is coming toward you don't pull him
As he approaches you, don't reach out to grab him Instead keep encouraging him with your hands and voice to come all the way to you until his nose or head touches (or practically touches) your chest or knees or some part of your body, Pet him for a few moments.
Then tell him, Okay to let him know that he doesn't have to stay near you any longer. Begin walking again. At some point, when he has wandered to the end of the leash repeat the exercise.

BUT

what if he didn't come to you

what if he comes halfway and stopped

what if he came to you and ran past you

that's why you got leash, use the leash to correct him guide him to you, then praise him just like if he came on his own, the goal is to have him succeed every time, keep the leash on so he must come to you, when he reach you pet him (come goodboy).

information taken from this web ilovemydog.biz

I would train in the Park - making it really fun - using food treats and ball games, so he gets used to the idea that you`re much more fun than those football kids!. And yes, train on a line so there`s no way he can fail.

Wow thanks for all the replies,which by the way make total sense.
Will restart training next week and let you know how it goes xxx

Initially it sounds like he's craving some play time, so maybe spend more time doing this with him?

In addition, you could try using a light weight, long lead - you could make this yourself with a thin gauge nylon rope (2-3mm climbers equipment rope for example) and attach a clip to the end. You can make it any length you'd want (but for outdoors use I'd say longer than shorter).

The idea is that the line is left to drag along the floor so that if you need to get control of your dog, you can pick up the line and gain control, at the very least, be able to 'reel him in'. A quick check will add an element of surprise to your dog for you being able to command them from such a distance away.

Jed was a little swine for running off to other dogs when he was younger and I bought a 10ft line which I had to use. I have to say though, these long lines are a nightmare IMO. They drag through puddles, mud and even dog poo if you're unlucky (and yes, I have been!) and they just get tangled around everything. However, it's just about the only reliable method.

Now he's 2.5, it's only just got to the stage where he will ignore other dogs and happily pass one without having to say hello. It's also even gotten to the stage where he will ignore one of his own free will so I think in his case, maturity played a big part.

Or it could be the fact that living with Flynn put him off other dogs for life!

We have an extendy lead for Kismet and let her off only once she has settled on the field and met the group of dogs we are walking with, I arrange to meet up with other young dog owners through a notice on the signpost of the field we usually walk in so they can play and socialise together ... I too had poo and mud issues with the long lead. The problem with the extendable lead though is judging it's stop correctly... mistiming the 'brakes' leads to puppy catapult! Not ideal really...