recall problem

[Mamamia]

I wonder if anyone can help. my 7 month old lab pup is great at recall when we are in the woods or even if we meet other dogs ,once she gets a sniff I peep the whistle and she comes right away with me. When were in open space(park} she will head straight over to see other dogs and put the deaf ears on, she will eventually answer my whistle when she's ready and I can't discipline her because she's probably forgotten once she returns.My dog is off working parents with field trial champs and winners in her family tree, I'm a beginner and only know what I've read so its probably my fault. Greatfull for any advice.

[oowee]

Looking forward to the advice on this. My cocker comes every time it feels like it otherwise it lays on the floor and stays still. lol

[Andy135]

With recall you need to be more appealing than whatever it is she's investigating, so she comes to you out of preference. As you say you can't correct her after she's returned as that would be correcting the eventual recall.

 

With mine I used food treats and masses of cuddles and high squeaky voice when she was a young pup, made a real fuss of her consistently, so she knew that every time she recalled something brilliant would happen for her. I did this from when she was 8 weeks and still occasionally do so now (she's just turned one year old). Over time you build up the habit for her that the recall whistle = good.

 

If yours is selectively recalling at 7 months it suggests that the recall wasn't habitualised as a young pup. Not a criticism, just an observation. Good news is that you can still develop the habit now by doing the above. Favourite food snacks and go over the top with praise so the dog knows without a shadow of doubt that recalling back to you was the right thing to do. Keep doing this every time for as long as it takes to get a consistent recall.

 

When you are getting a recall every time you can start dropping the treats little by little until she comes back on the whistle without a big fuss made of her. It will take it time but consistency and perseverance is the key.

 

Edited to say that at 7 months she will be growing more confident and will be testing the boundaries with you to see what happens if she ignores you. Now is the time to ensure that she doesn't get away with a sloppy recall. Stay on top of her and she'll grow out of it most likely.

Edited October 18, 2015 by Andy135

[Mamamia]

T

With recall you need to be more appealing than whatever it is she's investigating, so she comes to you out of preference. As you say you can't correct her after she's returned as that would be correcting the eventual recall.

With mine I used food treats and masses of cuddles and high squeaky voice when she was a young pup, made a real fuss of her consistently, so she knew that every time she recalled something brilliant would happen for her. I did this from when she was 8 weeks and still occasionally do so now (she's just turned one year old). Over time you build up the habit for her that the recall whistle = good.

If yours is selectively recalling at 7 months it suggests that the recall wasn't habitualised as a young pup. Not a criticism, just an observation. Good news is that you can still develop the habit now by doing the above. Favourite food snacks and go over the top with praise so the dog knows without a shadow of doubt that recalling back to you was the right thing to do. Keep doing this every time for as long as it takes to get a consistent recall.

When you are getting a recall every time you can start dropping the treats little by little until she comes back on the whistle without a big fuss made of her. It will take it time but consistency and perseverance is the key.

Edited to say that at 7 months she will be growing more confident and will be testing the boundaries with you to see what happens if she ignores you. Now is the time to ensure that she doesn't get away with a sloppy recall. Stay on top of her and she'll grow out of it most likely.

I wonder if anyone can help. my 7 month old lab pup is great at recall when we are in the woods or even if we meet other dogs ,once she gets a sniff I peep the whistle and she comes right away with me. When were in open space(park} she will head straight over to see other dogs and put the deaf ears on, she will eventually answer my whistle when she's ready and I can't discipline her because she's probably forgotten once she returns.My dog is off working parents with field trial champs and winners in her family tree, I'm a beginner and only know what I've read so its probably my fault. Greatfull for any advice.

[Mamamia]

Thanks Andy, should I keep my dog on the lead in the park in the meantime till practice my recall in isolation,as I said she come back the minute we pass dogs and I peep the whistle it just seams to be in open spaces. I could have a full chicken in my hand and it wouldn't bother her and I've tried tennis balls.its dogs she prefers. Thanks again Andy

[Mamamia]

Thanks Andy, should I keep my dog on the lead in the park in the meantime till practice my recall in isolation,as I said she come back the minute we pass dogs and I peep the whistle it just seams to be in open spaces. I could have a full chicken in my hand and it wouldn't bother her and I've tried tennis balls.its dogs she prefers. Thanks again Andy

I have been training my dog since 9 weeks,it's more so just lately that she wants to run to dogs.She was really good to just lately.

[bigbird]

Not coming into season is she?

[fenboy]

Dogs as they get a little older nearly always try to push the boundaries , they realise they can have more fun by ignoring you !.

 

Do not keep trying to recall your dog if she is ignoring it as you are just teaching her there is no consequence to ignoring it .

 

If something else has her attention then wait until she is focused on you before recalling , if she obeys give lots of praise and a treat .

[loriusgarrulus]

The tip I was given recently was to blow the recall whistle every time before you feed a puppy . It's supposed to make them bombproof on recall later. Not had chance to try this. Will have to wait until we get another puppy which might be a few years yet.

[PERCE]

Teach your dog to know where you are at all times, it has to follow you & that it has to ignore everything else bar you. Step one is to stop taking it for walks & to take it out training.

[Andy135]

Thanks Andy, should I keep my dog on the lead in the park in the meantime till practice my recall in isolation,as I said she come back the minute we pass dogs and I peep the whistle it just seams to be in open spaces. I could have a full chicken in my hand and it wouldn't bother her and I've tried tennis balls.its dogs she prefers. Thanks again Andy

 

I would keep her on the lead in areas of high temptation (i.e. near other dogs) so you don't give her the chance to ignore you. If you don't tempt her, she can't fail, and smart dog training puts the dog in a position that it's easier for the dog to succeed than it is to fail. Set her up for success, basically.

 

As Fenboy says above, don't whistle her back if she's being tempted by another dog as you'll just teach her that it's ok to ignore you. Wait until she's focussed on you (looking your way or sat up waiting for her next command) before whistling her back. Then go overboard on praise when she returns.

[teal27]

Not coming into season is she?

My 11 month old cocker was in season and would not listen to a word I asked of her,

Very frustrating.

[Farma Geddon]

You are not strict enough. Go over to your dog ,get hold of her and blow your recall whistle and take her way.

Who is Boss? Dog does what you say .

Every time you blow that whistle and she ignores it ,its going down hill.

[kent]

No such thing as 100% recall. Just some who learn when you have to go get the dog

This is why leads exist

From a training point of view there is only one way of getting good recall and it's for the dog to get it into its head nothing can be better - of course when it is revert to the above advice and go get it

If at 7 months a puppy ignored recall I should be tempted to leave fast in the opposite direction as long as the ears were not turned to off by other things

[evo]

train train train working on recall,,,, plenty of praise on return is the ultimate treat,, it is a bad habit that can be easily resolved with the correct training regime, don't agree with grabbing the dog as all that will do is frighten it,,you are its best friend and as said when the dog comes back go nuts with praise,,certainly worked for my springer,,even though at times I looked daft

[kent]

train train train working on recall,,,, plenty of praise on return is the ultimate treat,, it is a bad habit that can be easily resolved with the correct training regime, don't agree with grabbing the dog as all that will do is frighten it,,you are its best friend and as said when the dog comes back go nuts with praise,,certainly worked for my springer,,even though at times I looked daft

Quite right you can't "correct" poor recall only makes things worse

[Farma Geddon]

train train train working on recall,,,, plenty of praise on return is the ultimate treat,, it is a bad habit that can be easily resolved with the correct training regime, don't agree with grabbing the dog as all that will do is frighten it,,you are its best friend and as said when the dog comes back go nuts with praise,,certainly worked for my springer,,even though at times I looked daft

So how do you get your dog back in the first place ?

Repeatedly blowing the whistle is not going to work and neither will just treats.

You have to have some form of discipline or there is no comeback for misbehaviour.

You have to get your dog ,even if you just touch it and gets its attention ,nothing wrong with scolding it and then immediate praise and recall.

Spaniels aren't hard to train ,people are.

[Mamamia]

THanks everybody who offered advice . I think in high risk places I will keep her on the lead and in the woods and paths I'll ll' try bigger praise and high end treats.

[redleg in kale]

So how do you get your dog back in the first place ?

Repeatedly blowing the whistle is not going to work and neither will just treats.

You have to have some form of discipline or there is no comeback for misbehaviour.

You have to get your dog ,even if you just touch it and gets its attention ,nothing wrong with scolding it and then immediate praise and recall.

Spaniels aren't hard to train ,people are.

totaly agree with the above , my experience is with springers but why not use the stop whistle if the dog is not responding get out after it ,then when on stop recall,or just simply slip it on the lead when other dogs are about .

[WGD]

No 1 rule, manage the environment