Hi all! My labrador is know 1 1/2 years old. From the day we brought him home I have been training him. I was so pleased as we managed to recall with a whistle, which I had never done before. He sits, waits, eats, recalls on command. Everything was brilliant, but all of a sudden in the last few months he has decided that he is not going to listen to me. He won't recall and has decided that he doesn't want to play fetch anymore. I have tried changing his treats to encourage him back, but he refuses to return. He just runs off. In desperation today I have had to walk him on the lead. I assume he is being a rebellious teenager!! could it be that he is walking in familiar territory and knows where is going? I feel like I am loosing control of him, we had such a good relationship. what can I do? Has anyone come across something similar? Thank you. Michelle. :-[
Re: Recall Training.......again!!! Hi Michelle, welcome to the forum! I can't claim to have ever had a really good recall with Lilly, who is now 3yrs old : but the standard advice is to take a few steps back. Maybe firm up recall in the garden, try a long lead? I am sure that someone with more experience will be able to add to this though. Loads of great advice and support here, so I am sure someone will help! jac
Re: Recall Training.......again!!! Hi there, it is very common for holes to appear in training to break down when a dog becomes fully mature and independent. This is a time when any weaknesses in a training programme will reveal themselves. So you will need to do some re-training Check out the recall training section on the main site and let us know if you have any questions. Pippa
Re: Recall Training.......again!!! Hi! Thank you, I had a look on the website and yesterday I started doing the 'turn-around walk'. It walked a couple of times and then he got bored and ran off anyway. When I eventually got hold of him I put him on the lead for the rest of the walk. I am sure if I keep doing this for a couple of weeks I will get back into control. Thank you again. Michelle.
Re: Recall Training.......again!!! Hi Michelle, Unless your dog is in danger, it is a good idea to avoid doing this. The problem is, that the dog sees returning to you as a punishment. Try taking some high value treats out on the walk with you, make sure he is hungry (don't feed him for a few hours before the walk) and chuck some tasty treats on the ground whenever he approaches you. Keep up with the about turn walk unless you think he is actually running away without any intention of coming back, he will starten to shorten up the distance he strays from you as he realises how serious you are about walking in the other direction ;D Pippa
