Penny My ball of energy is now 11 months. I always bragged about how great she was at off lead and trotting home with no issues. Well well well she is now become the juvenile delinquent ( yes i know yous warned me lol) and decided that the minute i head for home or try to get lead on she's having none of it. I have a large park area at outside my garden gate and it was great. Since she was about 4 months We just trotted out and in and had a great time. She ran about chasing her ball and never had an issue with her following me. Roll forward to about 4wks ago and its like high noon at the "ok coral". She refuses point blank..we have a showdown eyeballing each other (usually i am at gate and she is sitting like a statue in the park). Yes is funny to see but after an hour of bribery..shouting..dancing about like a lunatic i have to start the ball throwing again and just try and catch her unawares by the collar (once she even managed to pull herself out if it). I have just bought Pippa's Total Recall and starting again. Wish me luck.
You'll be fine with Total Recall - no luck needed, just perseverance and dedication. Don't rush it. I would introduce some games in the park that involve clipping the lead on, maybe some short walking then unclipping the lead. And just clipping and unclipping immediately, with lots of praise and/or treats. I also do "puppy recalls" with Coco, on lead - dance backwards calling him to me. Coco knows his recall (it's not proofed by any means), but I never waste an opportunity to practice it - if he's running towards me, I use my recall - eg when he's bringing a ball back - something to think of down the line, when Penny and you are confident at recall.
They are clever they know all your tells for home time. The trick is to keep em guessing like Coco s mum says do games involving lead on lead off games . Since mine were tiny I put the lead on at different stages on the walk so they don't get too cute about my habits. Once they work out that they can run off and have a bit more fun with you........you know the rest. I hide in hedges and trees too. I also have a game called I'm going to get you. I pull a face like a gruffalo and growl whilst making claw with my hands I look and sound like a total d**k but my dogs know that if they come quick they will get the biggest fuss ever and a fun game. It's good because they do come and if I say the words the are instantly alert. Even a clawed hand and the shoulder rolling will get them to come. They know it means fun and yes it's a silly thing but it works.
I've got the same with Tansy (now 12 mths) so I really sympathise. She was great with recall until a couple of months ago but now it's hopeless if there's another dog about. I've apologised to so many dog owners locally as she runs rings round them and me it's becoming embarrassing! I'm reading total recall too
I never had any, I was raised funny, what I do like is when you catch someone's else doing it and they look at you slightly embarrassed and you smile back, then they carry on.
It a waste of time it's all about guilt and social norms,. I never got it at home and what i did get was not helpful or nice. I realised when young I would have to socialise myself so I did but I missed out the useless stuff. survival was the key
Keep practising is my advice but also think of the positive things they do so you don't get it out of proportion. Inky has good recall from most things other than dog poo so I tell myself he's good at recall, doesn't roll in things, is getting better at leaving other dogs and people then I don't feel so bad at what I've failed to train if that makes sense
Haha, yes!! I play the “chase chase chase!” game with Willow. It’s “our thing”, the other two don’t get it. She’s such a serious thing that I melt when she’s goofy, and this gets her every time. I wiggle my fingers in a terrifyingly menacing way and say in my best evil genius way, “chase, chase, chaaaaase!”. She spins and runs away as fast as her legs can manage, for about three paces, when she turns to check that I am chasing her and she slows down to let me catch her, smack her on the bum so I can turn and have her chase me. It’s ridiculous but so precious
We have the "chugga chugga" monster game with Casper...his beautiful eyes grow wide..face softens with the goofiest of expressions..his tail wags...and he LOVES it...we creep up...chugga chugga monsters..hands likes claws...
@Jacqueline Mckendrick , this absolutely. I just keep going back to it, whenever recall gets a bit lax
I intermittently put Harley on lead during a walk as she done this around the same age. I hide behind trees, dance, run away and get lots of funny looks.........but it works for us
I understand, and it's a relief to me to have others going through this. My girl has just turned 1... Yesterday I had her in a stay off lead, as I walked away, I've done this before...anyway she must have smelt the dogs quite a distance away ..and off she ran! She's done this sort of thing several times... So yes, we're together in this.... Oh, the teenage years.....
Don't despair, they, and you all , will get though it. It's well worth doing the coming away from other dogs In total recall ---- with sardines !! I think to they sort of hit a point when they realise they must stay with you and are happy to meet, greet and move on
