Intermitent Recall problems

Hi all

I have posted here before about my 18 month old boxer/staffie cross (poss a bit of rottie in there too). Whilst on a walk the other day on remote moorland - he only went 50 yards or so ahead of me and kept checking back to see me for the first 3 miles and then on the way back (a different route) he obviously got scent or sight of something and bolted - it was a good 10 mins before I saw him again - I squeaked toys, I called him - nothing. I don't know what to do because the majority of the time he responds extremely well to recall - but this occasional bolting off and not returning is driving me nuts. He absolutely loves being off lead and snuffling I would hate to put him on the lead all the time but I'm pretty sure that's going to be the responses I get.

Of course on a training lead, in the garden, in the park etc.. he responds pretty much 100% of the time, model dog!

He is muzzled btw.

Sandy

Ultimate Recall: 4 Day Course with John Rogerson
• Training a reliable, automatic, non-negotiable, reality recall
• Building block and foundation training of the recall
• Relationship/influence building in recall training
• The chasing/emergency recall
• Sit and/or down on recall
• Freeze/stop on recall/running wait
• Distance/direction control
• Calling dogs off of distractions
• Out of sight recall (owner hidden)
• Obedience/competition recall (dog is called from a stationary position)
• Free running recall (dog is called while in motion)
• Type "A" recall (dog re-joins his owner in motion)

JOHN RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJUST COURSE CONTENT BASED ON THE ABILITIES OF DOGS AND HANDLERS ENROLLED ON THE COURSE.

Dates for Ultimate Recall Course:

At Andover, England
7th-10th August , 2012; 4 day duration 9.30 am-4.00 pm
To register contact Pauline Wise at pauline@wiseowl.wanadoo.co.uk

At Nottingham, England
26th – 29th October, 2012; 4 days duration 9.30-4.00 pm (Note: New Date!)
To register contact Beverly Smith at bev@inlinedogtraining.co.uk

http://www.johnrogerson.com/2012coursesschedule.pdf

Books

Stop! How to control predatory Chasing in Dogs
by David Ryan

Chase! Managing Your Dog's Predatory Instincts
By Clarissa Von Reinhardt

DVD

REALLY RELIABLE RECALL
by Leslie Nelson

Website articles:


http://www.apdt.co.uk/documents/RECALL.pdf

http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/reliable_recall.pdf

http://www.clickerdogs.com/perfectrecall.htm

http://www.clickerdogs.com/listofreinforcers.htm

http://www.clickerdogs.com/distracti...yourrecall.htm

http://www.clickerdogs.com/createamotivatingtoy.htm

http://www.cleverdogcompany.com/tl_f...e%20recall.pdf

http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/teaching-come/

http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/how-do-...y-dog-chasing/

Thank you so much for this. I shall certainly look into it. I can't find out from your links how much it costs though?

Sandy

Not sure of the Andover costs, the one in Nottingham is £240 per person & 1 dog, £100 spectator/joint handler

It does sounds really good I've emailed the organiser and she says they might be holding a group closer to where i live in 2013 - that might be easier as the dates for this one are just a couple of weeks.

As advised go to the course and read all those books - you won't regret it.

How good is it in the home / garden - is it reilable, i.e dog looks straight up on the command and comes back with enthusiasm.

You mentioned squeaky toy - what is the dogs most favourite thing?

Range - 50 yards - your dog is telling you that you don't have control over it at that distance.

I would start by teaching the dog range. If you are walking along a pathway as soon as the dog hits a range you are happy with about turn. I would go for a range of about 20 yards. You can also do this in an open field. If the dog goes off to the right go left, if the dog goes forward go back.

If the dog steps outside your range give your recall command, probably "come". If the dog doesn't recall run like a crazy person in the opposite direction. If the dog responds brilliantly first time it gets it's favourite thing - you may even want to take it's dinner out with you.

Try and do this stuff where there are low levels of distraction before you go anywhere near moorland (which has lots of exciting smells and vermin noises)

And, do read through all those links SB put up. You will be glad you went on the course as well.

Some excellent advice - thank you for taking the time to give such a considered response.

He behaves impeccably in the house and in his regular play field, turns on a sixpence and comes back to me in an instant as sooon as he hears the command or gets a squeak of his plastic duck - I reward him with treats and throw the ducks for him and it works every time until we get to a wide open space where there's trees, bushes, banks etc.. exactly as you say he gets the scent (although he seems to use his sight more than his nose) and he's off.

I am definitely going to try the walking in a different direction to him - we have tried that a few times but we need to devote an entire walk to it over and over until he is not sure which way we are going.

I would love to do the course but it's less than 5 weeks away and I'd have to pay for accommodation on top of the course fees - I think it would be worth every penny, just don't have the pennies right now.

sandy