Recall problems

[ollie]

Hi guys, hope you can help.

 

My Cocker pup is approaching 5 months and I am having a few problems with the recall. Sit and stay is not a problem, but when I am out in the garden and give the recall command, he doesn't always respond. Sometimes he will and come to me straight away; however, other times he just walks in the opposite direction and sniffs the ground. A lot of the time the problem with recall is when he is being put into his run, could this be because he associates the recall with going to bed?

 

I obviously want to nip this in the bud before I start any formal training and before he gets too old. With work I am limited with time for training until the evenings get longer, do you think I could be training in the dark in the garden when I return from work?

 

What techniques would you guys recommend for sorting the recall problems? All advice is welcome.

[Asa Bear]

Have you tried the recall whistle to call him for his dinner?

 

Sit & stay him then place his food a bit away from him then give the recall for him to come and get it. Slowly build up the distance and time left sat waiting.

[ollie]

Have you tried the recall whistle to call him for his dinner?

 

Sit & stay him then place his food a bit away from him then give the recall for him to come and get it. Slowly build up the distance and time left sat waiting.

 

Thanks for the advice. Since he came home I have made him sit and stay for his dinner. He doesn't move for his food until I tell him. But I suppose he is going to be as good as gold whenever it comes to thinking about his belly lol.

[ollie]

Anyone any suggestions?

[labstaff]

Does he recall when out of the garden and is it 100%? If it is then the answer is it is something to do with the garden (possibly going in the kennel as you said). If so then when it is in the garden keep it on the lead so it can't ignore you. Everytime you recall and it ignores it, the dog is learning it can do as it pleases. Another thing to do is If it is due to the kennel, rather than recall it and put it away, recall it, slip the lead on, then take it off again, maybe give it a retrieve. You don't want the dog to associate the lead with the end of fun.

[unclestuffy]

Have a long line and on the first recall whistle if he ignores you pull the dog gently in (i find calling the name helps as this makes you more exciting than anything else in the garden)

 

or walk calmly to the dog (not agressively) take it by the scruff of the neck so not to hurt it and every few steps blow the recall whistle until you get back to the spot where you were stood. I use my walking rucksack as a marker to make sure I get back to the spot when the whistle was blown (although this is more applicable to a slightly older dog in my opinion but you know your dog best)

 

At 5 months the joints are still forming so do take care not to be rough and always use massive amounts of praise when the dog does recall - remember if has to be fun at this stage as they are still learning and exploring.

 

Every dog owner will have their own take anyway but the best tool is consistiency - a happy dog has clear and unmoving boundaries

[ollie]

Does he recall when out of the garden and is it 100%? If it is then the answer is it is something to do with the garden (possibly going in the kennel as you said). If so then when it is in the garden keep it on the lead so it can't ignore you. Everytime you recall and it ignores it, the dog is learning it can do as it pleases. Another thing to do is If it is due to the kennel, rather than recall it and put it away, recall it, slip the lead on, then take it off again, maybe give it a retrieve. You don't want the dog to associate the lead with the end of fun.

 

He does recall in the garden, but not 100%, when he doesn't recall he is generally sniffing about the garden and almost acting as if he is hunting, so don't want to take that out of him either. I like the idea with the lead though, it means he gets rewarded for the lead being put on.

 

Have a long line and on the first recall whistle if he ignores you pull the dog gently in (i find calling the name helps as this makes you more exciting than anything else in the garden)

 

or walk calmly to the dog (not agressively) take it by the scruff of the neck so not to hurt it and every few steps blow the recall whistle until you get back to the spot where you were stood. I use my walking rucksack as a marker to make sure I get back to the spot when the whistle was blown (although this is more applicable to a slightly older dog in my opinion but you know your dog best)

 

At 5 months the joints are still forming so do take care not to be rough and always use massive amounts of praise when the dog does recall - remember if has to be fun at this stage as they are still learning and exploring.

 

Every dog owner will have their own take anyway but the best tool is consistiency - a happy dog has clear and unmoving boundaries

 

I read about the long lead for the recall; my garden is not too big, maybe 25 x 25 yards, would this be big enough do you think? I have only started the dog on the whistle, so I think I will continue with the verbal commands until the recall improves a bit.

[unclestuffy]

To be honest a long thin corridor or room is best as it restricts where the dog can run too; at this age I would also use treats as well. Use the whislte and voice commands

[kent]

You already have the solution in the question. Don't recall him if its becoming an issue under those circumstances OR recall him then reward him in whatever way floats its boat and send it off again. Dogs are simple but they aint stupid, plan around it and stop doing what it is you are doing coz you been sussed pall

[ollie]

Thanks for the advise lads. Especially Uncle Stuffy who very kindly PM'd me with some tips.

[ETO]

Here is Allyson Tohme's recall guide.

 

http://word.office.live.com/wv/WordView.aspx?FBsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdownload%2Ffile_preview.php%3Fid%3D320049778105890%26metadata&access_token=614163911%3AAVKj7wbPPLn1bWj77Pus1o81zWDeWtYV7Fpcr2-uoNMOcw&title=Recall+1.doc

 

A lot of folk elsewhere have used her guide and have gotten excellent results.

[ollie]

Here is Allyson Tohme's recall guide.

 

http://word.office.l...le=Recall 1.doc

 

A lot of folk elsewhere have used her guide and have gotten excellent results.

 

I red this one already. Thanks anyway.

[scotslad]

Ur pup's still really young, later on the long line would work, i also wouldnae be expecting 100% at his age althou he should be wantin to be with u, it depends on wot he's doing when not coming

 

I'd only recall him when u think he will come ie if he's already running towards u, looking at u type thing when he comes make a massive fuss, play with him, give him a treat. Basically u should be the most fun thing in his life, even speak in a girly high pitch baby type voice. As others have said get him to come to u regulary so it does not mean end off play, u should be the fun part. As others said wi food bowl get him to sit walk back 2-3 steps recall put food down few mouth fuls and keep repeating round ur garden

 

I wouldn't rcall him if facing other way sniffing or generally not interrested in u and if u think a high chance of him not coming, wait 30secs he'll be doing something else and be more likely to come, possibly also run oppisate direction or crouch down but not overpower/intimidating him or even lie on ground let him climb on u, most pups cannae resist that (althou he's getin older for that)

 

Once u blow recall whistle/command, if he comes great; if he doesn't ur faced with a decision do i ignore him, call again (which teaches him to ignore command, if he has defo hear it) or go out and enforce it. He's still young but try not to put ur self in that position, basically pick ur battles and make life easy

[ollie]

Ur pup's still really young, later on the long line would work, i also wouldnae be expecting 100% at his age althou he should be wantin to be with u, it depends on wot he's doing when not coming

 

I'd only recall him when u think he will come ie if he's already running towards u, looking at u type thing when he comes make a massive fuss, play with him, give him a treat. Basically u should be the most fun thing in his life, even speak in a girly high pitch baby type voice. As others have said get him to come to u regulary so it does not mean end off play, u should be the fun part. As others said wi food bowl get him to sit walk back 2-3 steps recall put food down few mouth fuls and keep repeating round ur garden

 

I wouldn't rcall him if facing other way sniffing or generally not interrested in u and if u think a high chance of him not coming, wait 30secs he'll be doing something else and be more likely to come, possibly also run oppisate direction or crouch down but not overpower/intimidating him or even lie on ground let him climb on u, most pups cannae resist that (althou he's getin older for that)

 

Once u blow recall whistle/command, if he comes great; if he doesn't ur faced with a decision do i ignore him, call again (which teaches him to ignore command, if he has defo hear it) or go out and enforce it. He's still young but try not to put ur self in that position, basically pick ur battles and make life easy

 

Thanks for the advise mate. I was off twice this week and spent a lot of time with him (obviously in short training sessions) and he seems to be recalling very nicely to the whistle. I'll keep up the work and hopefully he comes good. One good thing about the dog is that he seems keen to learn, lets hope he keeps it up.