Louis is now approaching 3 months and is a wonderful dog. Given the importance of a reliable recall, we have been training this pretty much daily and I would say its probably acceptable where we are now. We are sort of following Pippa´s Total Recall although not using a whistle but just "come" cue. This is how things have been going: -- The first step we did was to be inside our home with low distractions and run a few feet away and praising and treating once he followed and arrived to us. No problems here -- Then we did the same on the terazza and it is pretty solid even though at times he get caught up by sniffing to a plant and does not respond to his name and does not see us move and hence doesnt follow -- We then redid the above 2 steps but adding the come cue just as he was approaching us -- Next step was to sit with some distance between us indoors and say he name, and have him jog towards us and say the come cue as he was approaching. Pretty solid inside with no distractions -- Then lately we have been going outside in the garden and we take turns to run a few feet away and praising and treating once he followed and arrived to us -- given the cue as he was approaching. Lately we have started to give the cue as he starts the approach towards us because basically every time he spots us moving he will approach fast. Also, we have started to fade the running away and moving, and been more stationary Basically every time he sees us move, he will come running as fast as he can towards us. We give treats and praise a lot and he obviously enjoys this "game". However, sometimes he gets so caugt up by exploring and sniffing that he will not see us move in silence nor respond to his name and hence see us move. 4 questions: -- is it normal for puppies at his age not always respond to his name when outside in distractive environment? -- what do we do to minimize the risk of him starting to just ignore his name because it means nothing to him because he here it many times? -- should we just accept him not always paying attention to set-up a good recall or try to do something about it? What can be done? Maybe go back to low distraction areas? What I am concerned about is that today he will have his last vaccine so soon we will be out and about in the world and I would like to keep him off leash to strengthen his follower instinct. He clearly has that and although he does not respond to his names always, he will eventually come to us when he is done sniffing around. However, if we continue to practice recall in very low distraction environment, I would have to keep him at leash outside? The alternative is that we practice actual recall in low distractive environment and outside he is off leash and we simply trust his follower instinct? Another solution is to keep practicing outside but take a break when he is doing the sniffing. -- what would be the next natural step in the recall training? I suppose First, continoue the last steps of what we have been doing for a couple of more days to proof that step a bit more Then, go back to low distraction environment and add the come cue just before we start running. Practice that for some days Third, start to increase distractions again and keep adding the come cue just before we start running. But make sure not to do it when he is distracted. Do this for some days Fourth, fade the rewards/treats and fade the movements. Do this for some days Fifth (in about 4-6 weeks) start basic recall practice Thanks Andreas
Re: Early stages of recall good but not when distracted - normal? Next steps? Hi Andreas, I would not keep using your puppy's name to get his attention in this way. You'll need to be patient He is just a baby. Wait for him to focus on you. Then walk away. Then call him as he comes in. When you want to go out into the wide world have your puppy wear a harness and drag a long line. That way, if you are worried about him, you can pick up the end of it to prevent him getting into danger. A lot of training at this stage is about waiting. And waiting. Wait for the puppy to offer the behaviour you want, then mark and reward it. In the meantime, keep him safe if necessary using a long line.
Re: Early stages of recall good but not when distracted - normal? Next steps? [quote author=editor link=topic=9718.msg140519#msg140519 date=1422625659] Hi Andreas, I would not keep using your puppy's name to get his attention in this way. You'll need to be patient He is just a baby. Wait for him to focus on you. Then walk away. Then call him as he comes in. When you want to go out into the wide world have your puppy wear a harness and drag a long line. That way, if you are worried about him, you can pick up the end of it to prevent him getting into danger. A lot of training at this stage is about waiting. And waiting. Wait for the puppy to offer the behaviour you want, then mark and reward it. In the meantime, keep him safe if necessary using a long line. [/quote] Very useful, thanks a lot.
Re: Early stages of recall good but not when distracted - normal? Next steps? [quote author=editor link=topic=9718.msg140519#msg140519 date=1422625659] Hi Andreas, I would not keep using your puppy's name to get his attention in this way. You'll need to be patient He is just a baby. Wait for him to focus on you. Then walk away. Then call him as he comes in. When you want to go out into the wide world have your puppy wear a harness and drag a long line. That way, if you are worried about him, you can pick up the end of it to prevent him getting into danger. A lot of training at this stage is about waiting. And waiting. Wait for the puppy to offer the behaviour you want, then mark and reward it. In the meantime, keep him safe if necessary using a long line. [/quote] Is harness better than collar? If yes which harness would you recommend?
Re: Early stages of recall good but not when distracted - normal? Next steps? I believe harnesses are safer than collars when on a long line, since if your puppy does run off and suddenly reaches the end of the line, it would be a huge amount of pressure around the throat with a normal collar. I use the Puppia mesh harness for my puppies. It's not a "corrective" harness, so doesn't give any assistance when walking on a lead - it acts the same as a collar - they can still pul if they wish. But that's great for me, because I'm training them to walk on a loose lead, so I'm not after a corrective aid. This is the one I have: http://petlondon.net/index.php/retail/walkies/harnesses/soft-harness-a.html
Re: Early stages of recall good but not when distracted - normal? Next steps? I've got a car harness that is great in the car but I can also walk Bella on it and she doesn't pull. I'll start lead walking when she's a bit older. I had roast chicken when we went to the park and ALL the dogs came back to me ;D
Re: Early stages of recall good but not when distracted - normal? Next steps? Harnesses are essential when using a long line. I liked the mesh harnesses for baby Charlie, and got him a Y shaped back fastening fleece harness when he got older (which I only use these days if he on a line, or we are walking somewhere with a level of distractions that he can't cope with yet).
