Spook Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Hi! We have a Jack Russel x Chihuahua (Not my choice, but I wanted a dog and she said it was this or nothing!) and he won't come back when called. We got him at 10 months from a chap who's relationship had fallen apart and could no longer look after the dog and work a full time job. To be fair to Scrappy he's fantastic! Not had a single accident in the house, only chewed a few of the kids toys and in the 3 months we've had him he has learnt to sit, speak+growl on command, lay, wait and heel, he's fine with gun fire and fireworks too BUT...if the front door opens he will bolt out and go and see the neighbors in turn until HE wants to come back. No amount of calling or whistling will make him change his mind. When he does come back I've always been mindful not to tell him off but reward him for actually coming back but it seems to have made no odds. It's the same down the beach, all seems to be going well for a while then he'll bolt and go chasing and barking at other dogs until he wants to come back. I always have treats for him in my pocket! We've even tried all sitting in different rooms calling him in turn and rewarding him for going to the right person but that only works in doors, out doors he just ignores everyone. Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollieollie Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I solved this problem with one of mine using a long training lead, ang generally getting the recall sorted. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted November 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I'm thinking of that, a 50' lead on the beach?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRYAN3 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 It looks as though he is more embarressed of you than you are of him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted November 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) It looks as though he is more embarressed of you than you are of him Cheers for that, you could be on to something But he is the campest looking dog ever! I wanted an English bull terrier or a sausage dog...... Edited November 8, 2013 by Spook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1087 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I solved this problem with one of mine using a long training lead, ang generally getting the recall sorted. Good luck +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian g Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 If your out on the beach try running the opposite way to what he's gone and shout him at the same time it worked for one of my dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 If your out on the beach try running the opposite way to what he's gone and shout him at the same time it worked for one of my dogs Thanks for that, I'll try it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeredup Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 you need to (in his eyes) become the best thing since sliced bread! get yourself to aldi and get some hotdog sausages! and when we recalls for a bit of sausage everytime slowly ween him off till he does it for free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Or liver, cooked and cut into little bits. Dead cheap and most dogs find the smell irresistible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) Some very good advice above. The high value treats can eally make a difference. and so will running away Has ur dog always done this? It could be at the stroppy teenager age and just being a little s **t, if u have done the basics and was fine before might grow out of ot fairly quickly. But in the meantime u want to dog proof ur front door (kiddies stair gate in front off it etc) and keep ur dog on a lead until u get it sorted I'd use ur food bowl to aid training, dog sits before u put bowl down waits for command, take it away again leaving ur dog sitting and whistle/recall him he sits and bowl go down again. Not described it very well but on Rory majors dvd, i do it with any pup now as soon as i get them so they are familar with the sit and recall whistles at 12 week old. Some sort of dog obedience classes would probably help, Or reading the basic puppy training stages off most gundog books (i realise not a gundog but most off basics are ust good obediancej) U say u can recall him to the person who called him? I'd go back to a sit/stay in the hall and recall him there, then add some distractions, tv folk talking etc, then i'd go out into ur garden and start again work up to distractions, then go into the park start again (probably using a long line for safety) all the time it comes quickly loads off praise and reward anytime hesitates or veers off a wee growl/oi/tut and vocal praise as soon as starts back towards u. Only step up the hardness when he's doing last stage 100%, but u really don't want ur dog runnning off as it wil undermine all ur training If i was using a long line i'd have it attached to a harness just dragging while ur lead is also on, so when u take lead off dog doesn't realise still attached to a long line, but the dog has to understand the command first.I use a bit off washing linethat plastic coated stuff as doesnae really hank or snagg on much Finally if ur in a safe area whee the dog can't escape or get hurt, hide, let the dog bog off and then panick when it can't find u. Edited November 10, 2013 by scotslad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted November 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Wow, lots of great tips and things to try!If we're in a field with no distraction he's really pretty good, but if there's other dogs he's off. I read on another forum that primula squirty cheese is known as 'puppy crack' because they can't get enough of it! I tried it last night and it seems to be true, but I couldn't get him leave my side on or off the lead! I can see the advantages on the beach though, just squeeze some out and let him lick it off the tube - no dropping treats on the sand. I'll persist with the long line I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 U would probaly help if when ur dog is pretty good in a quiet environment to bring in a mate with a trained dog, start of with it at a distance and gradually get it closer as ur dog improves. Long lines are great for training but some clever dogs soon learn when they are on it and when they are off it so know when they have to behave or not. The other way would be if u have a mate with a well trained dog that recalls really well let them play free run together, if ur dog is chasing the other recall both dogs and it will soon associate the recall whistle with turning and bombing back to u. Then make a big fuss/treat Must admit i often do that with any young dogs let them chase after the older dogs as soon as it almsot catches them i will blow the recall so big dogs turn and come back with young 1 chasing behind, i sometimes run oppisate direction just to get dogs really bombing back to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted November 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 U would probaly help if when ur dog is pretty good in a quiet environment to bring in a mate with a trained dog, start of with it at a distance and gradually get it closer as ur dog improves. Long lines are great for training but some clever dogs soon learn when they are on it and when they are off it so know when they have to behave or not. The other way would be if u have a mate with a well trained dog that recalls really well let them play free run together, if ur dog is chasing the other recall both dogs and it will soon associate the recall whistle with turning and bombing back to u. Then make a big fuss/treat Must admit i often do that with any young dogs let them chase after the older dogs as soon as it almsot catches them i will blow the recall so big dogs turn and come back with young 1 chasing behind, i sometimes run oppisate direction just to get dogs really bombing back to me Thats a great idea too! I need to find some one with a well trained dog now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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