Not sure if this should be in the puppy section or the training one. We have been taking Red (16 weeks) out into the countryside and letting her off lead daily. This follows several weeks of doing the first part of recall mostly in the garden). Last week, she was responding really well to a clap before when she was distracted and started sniffing in clumps of grass, followed by the whistle. We then had a break for a couple of days because of her tummy upset. Noticed the last two days, she has just ignored us several times when we have clapped, made noises, etc and this worries me as she is coming when she chooses and not instantly. Today we put her back on lead and did some walking to heel which is getting so much better. I have also started the next step of recall indoors where she responds to the whistle in a room. Really don't want to mess up Recall at this point so would be grateful for any tips please. It's almost as if the sensory stuff just overtakes her but how do we overcome this? I am using treats but they aren't high value as still sorting her stomach issues out. She was hungry when we went out today so thought the treats would work better but the smells in the grass were way more exciting (We had a long wait in the Vets waiting room this afternoon to see the vet nurse about her weight and diet - plenty of chance to practice sit, go down and stay - I was so pleased with her. Couple of times she leapt up when dogs came in but quickly back into down position )
Hi, When we first started the recall training and we where out with no distractions, Vanilla was on a training lead attached to a harness. I would let her wander and smell, and interact with her and treat her everytime she checked in with me. This could be everything from 5sec to about 30sec for each check in. She now still does this, but time is increased and distance. The recall would only be used if she was either looking at me or running towards me. This lasted for a few weeks, before I started calling from distractions. But I would pick them very carefully, eg: edge of water if she had stopped or finished sniffing for a second and her head was up. Keep on working through the book at home and gradually pick the outside scenarios. You will get there eventually. Vanilla is now 1year old and her recall is 95% proofed. The last 5% are against things we now have to go and find that are not everyday occurences. Hope this helps and be patience you will have setbacks. We did.
Thank you for this Sven. We haven't used a training lead and would prefer not to if possible but maybe this will be necessary. I only blow the whistle when she is looking or running back to us. Yesterday she was so distracted - head down in clumps of grass - no doubt eating things it would be better she didn't we had to go to her and put her on lead as she was just 'ignoring' our calls, hand waving, jumping up,and down etc. Really felt like a step backwards and I am anxious we don't reinforce that this is ok. I know she needs to sniff/check,out her environment but ....... Will definitely continue to do the work from the book at home. Good to hear Vanilla is doing so well on her recall.
Hi @Atemas, I think going to get her is the right thing to do as you don't want to teach her to ignore your requests to come to you. It must be difficult for all of you given what you are going through with the diarrhoea. Have you tried the "about turn" walk? Where you turn and go the other way when they are a certain distance away so they follow you, it makes them learn to think about where you are and look for you. And you can hide from them. Great to hear that you were able to turn your enforced vet visits into a positive training experience.
When Harley was little I would run away from her and would jump up and down, getting her to chase me and vice versa. I found that speaking to her in an excited voice made her very eager to come to me. I also let her sniff for a few mins then would instigate a game.
@Atemas don't get me wrong, but Vanilla has been hard work to get her there. There where plenty of times where she would not listen, and in the beginning I would blow it a couple of times. Not the way to go, so went and got her and interacted with her. Plenty of times I would get anoyed, but never let it show to her. Just at myself for pushing it to far at times. And as @selina27 says do the about turn. This really makes them think where are you. If you do use a training lead make sure you use a harness. Can't recomend it enough. We still use the training lead in new areas until she is used to them. The othrer thing is increase the reward when she returns for now. Tined Sardines in tomato sauce is a favourite of ours. One thing we did once she was off the training lead was to call her straight away even if she was only 1m or 2m away. That way she knew what the reward was. So when we then called her at greater distance in the same session we had no issues. Good luck and don't give up.
Hi there! So, Red is 16 weeks old, has had a tummy bug, is interested in the environment and maybe you have rather a high expectation of wanting an instant recall. Take a breath, dial it all back, Rome wasn't built in a day, recall can take a rather up and down journey until you and your pup get it right most of the time! We strive for linear improvement well dog training just isn't like that, more of a frustrating wiggly line! So don't worry, take your time and you will get there. I like to set my dogs up for success, if something isn't working, I try and think.. what I am doing wrong? How i the dog feeling? Shall I do something different instead? Whilst recall is one of the most important behaviours you want to get under your belt, you can work on other skills in conjunction which will help, such as being interesting, playing games off lead, and focus. Work on a verbal recall, and add the whistle later. Work in a safe, low distraction area, reward handsomely for check ins....use hand touch, that's a great game for focus. Play tuggy. Every time she runs towards you...even just a few feet..use a verbal recall and reward. It is also worth noting that sometimes sniffing the grass can indicate a bit of confusion, or even stress. So when we ask a bit too much, or the pup is a bit tired, sniffing can indicate they are just a wee bit overwhelmed or tired. So just take is easy and relax a bit.
Red is doing really well. You mustn't have your expectations so high. 95% of Coco's recalls are when he's already coming towards me (with a ball perhaps), or looking at me, part of a game. He won't recall from deep sniff even now, at nearly 3 years old, so I rarely try.
With all our pups we do this - We are not allowed any free runs until they are 17 weeks (vaccination policy) so it's a very exciting time for them. As soon as they take their eyes off me and get busy sniffing I hide where I can easily see them but they can't see me. I wait until they search for me, happy dance and fuss when they find me. I also take unexpected paths all the time - no word to pup. In no time they start to keep a close eye on this unpredictable woman, even when having a sniff. Bruce came to me at 10 months because he had no recall and would abscond. I hired a secure field which also has trees, bushes etc and did the same with him. By the time I'd done three walks he was sticking close - still sniffing and playing but watching for me too. I felt safe to go to our normal walking places. He wasn't food motivated at all so a big fuss and game with a special toy was his reward. I had a squeaky rabbit skin toy which was on a rope, he never got to take it - just play with me with it. Lots of recalls then holding the collar and on and off lead during the walk are essential too.
If Stanley ignores me I just shout BYE STANLEY and run away from him. He's soon chasing thinking it's a game. I also hide from him as soon as he's not paid me enough attention so he has to come and find me. He hasn't got the best recall and doesn't always come straight back - but he also never runs away so we're about half way there
Yes I do take on board, I am trying to rush things so thank you for all your comments and we have all summer in front of us for lots of training and fun. Think DH and I will have a plan before we walk later. We live on the edge of the fens which in some ways is great as there are fabulous long banks by the side of the dyke away from main roads - however, there are no trees to hide behind . I hadn't thought about stress or confusion or tiredness being a possibility for the sniffing @Beanwood so thank you - a factor to consider. I am going to discuss getting a training lead with DH later. We go on a camping holiday to the coast in less than 2 months time with both dogs (an interesting challenge ) and I think this will be essential to be able to give Red some freedom. We love going camping by the sea so I am praying for good weather and a puppy who will enjoy as much as Sky always has.
I've been curious as to what part of Cambridgeshire you live -- I was born in Cambridge and spent the first nine years in the county, at Wimpole. Do you know it? Gone a bit off topic
We are in a village to the north of Peterborough, right on the border of Lincolnshire. Yes I know Wimpole - quite a way away from here.
This isn't anything to worry about. Since you haven't trained a clap as a recall, why would she respond to it? You just haven't trained a recall, this is all. What you are saying here is that when your puppy was really tiny, she would respond to pretty much anything you did. Now she is a bit older, she won't. This is entirely normal. If dogs kept responding to random claps or arm waves instantly as they got older, no-one would have to bother to train a recall. So, I'd stop worrying about it and concentrate on training your recall - which won't be done and 'finished' for many, many months and will need maintaining all her life. When your puppy is deep in a sniff and ignoring you, just wait (unless it really is something that might harm her, in which case go get her). Don't repeat your claps, hand waving, star jumps etc because all that will do is get her to tune you out even more. Just wait. And when she does return her attention to you, have a big party with lots of games. There is an exercise that you can do from controlled unleash that structures this into a little programme. You might get the book, it's very good. There is a shorter version called 'beyond your backyard' which is a super condensed version for pets too.
I have bought 'Control Unleashed' Julie but with so many things going on (diarrhoea issue last weekend), I have kind of skimmed through it, thinking where to begin. Thank you for reassuring it isn't anything to worry about. We got all set to take her out today but she saw her harness and wouldn't come out of her crate where she's been having a snooze so only garden training today but a lovely sunny day and chance for her to just lie on the grass and absorb all the sounds going on around her
