Hi. As a pup my lab would wander ahead and explore but would stay in the vicinity . If I whistled would wait for me. If distracted could be encouraged to come to me. He is now 18 months and has recently starting running off, I can't see or hear him. It came to ahead when he run off and other people shouted saying anyone lost a dog. There dog was muzzled and not friendly and my pup did not pickup on thegrowling from the other dog. Luckily there were 2 people to keep the dogs apart. I have read articles about combating this but what I struggle with is rewards. When he out, he is not food orientated and has no interest in treats, no interest in a ball or toys. All he wants to do is find other dogs. Any help would be great.
Hi @Sue H For reasons you have just explained very clearly, the dog must be on lead or long line until you have a reliable recall in any environment or level of distraction You need to find a higher value treat when you are out. Sardines? Liver? Sausage meat? Something you normally don't train with at home.
