Hi All im new to this site. I have a beautiful white lab called Harley and she is nearly 9 months old. she was doing ok with recall. however in the last few weeks she doesn't come back at all. ive tried calling her name, using different words other than her name and whistling and giving her good treats on the very very odd occasion she does come back. I would appreciate for any advice from anyone about whats good to recall. we do go out and she has fun and we go for walks and she is looked after well. I just don't know whats going on. thanks
She's become a teenager! Most will go through this phase when hormones are rampant and the ears go deaf. Go back to basics with the training, maybe put her on a long line to keep her safe and be consistent. She will come good eventually. Just another thought. Could she be coming into season?
I put my pup back on a long line at about that age.... Also bought the Total Recall book and started to introduce the whistle when she was in the garden. She's now 16 months and recently off the long line, so far her recall has been fab (I hope I've not just jinxed it by saying that!)
Hi Cathriona, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you are having problems with recall. Have a look at this guide - it's quite long but gives you some detail on what's involved. You might need to retrain your recall with a new cue as your dog has learned that the old one doesn't count
Although our puppy is only 6 mo, one thing that has really helped with recall is playing hide and go seek, one of us hides and then he runs around to find us, we use our name so we'll say go find dad, or mom. and so far and hopefully it will continue but when we have needed him to come back we'll say Oakley where's your mom or dad and he runs back. He LOVES this game.
Hi Beryl, I'm not sure what is the problem associated with wet weather. You? Wear a rain jacket and waterproof pants. Wet long line? Use a long line made from fibretek. Wet dog? Grab a towel and dry off the Lab.
I highly recommend BIOTHANE long-lines - that's the material they are made out of - there are now many different companies actually making them. They will not get wet or heavy with water, they will not get muddy or get leaves or twigs stuck to them and they pull free from tree trunks etc where fabric leads get snagged. Loads of places to get them from now, depending on which country you're based in. And do make sure you're using tasty enough recall treats. That means sloppy gross wet things like paté, gourmet wet dog food, sardines etc etc - you can administer these things using a plastic toddler spoon...
