As most know, Duggan had surgery October 31 and has been on very strict restrictions since. In about another 30 days or so, when the ice and snow go away we will be taking him off restrictions to finally run about. Until the surgery was never on a lead except for in town. Since the surgery he has never been off lead. I’m anticipating a massive breakdown in his near perfect recall. He’s gonna bolt like the wind and probably sever his other CCL as soon as I let him go. Lol. Should I start working through total recall as a puppy and start “topping up his whistle” now or perhaps work through it as a mature dog. We used to play hide and seek every day prior and since his surgery he has gained confidence and has really learned how to use his nose through “ find it” games. Like I said, I’m sure he will start hunting mice, he finds them while going bathroom on a short lead. Lol. I guess I’m just concearned he will self reward and not listen because of the 4+ months gap in training and I really don’t want that. He had never experienced that before. I was vigilant in recall training and if I sensed he might bolt i called him back to me. Maybe I’m worrying for nothing but I’d hate to lose what was a great recall.
If I were in your shoes, I'd go back to the start with Total Recall, even if he finds it really easy. What you do won't be wasted; you'll be paying into the "behaviour bank account" by increasing the reward history for the behaviours, and that's never a bad thing. I would personally have him on a long line and harness to start off with so you know he can't bolt. And maybe find somewhere fenced-in for his first truly off-lead jaunts so he can feel the wind in his face without any risk of absconding?
It never hurts to revisit Total Recall. If it were me, I think I'd follow the "mature dog" section at this stage.
I ditto what Fiona says regarding a long line or being in enclosed area so he can’t abscond. I’m sure he will be very excited but it’s good that you are planning ahead.
When my girl was on lead walks for 3.5 weeks owing to her season I imagined just the same as you, that she would run for the hills at the first sign of freedom. But I was amazed that she just stuck by my side for months! I figured it was because she hadn't been able to self reward by running off to follow scents, greet dogs or people etc. So you never know. I had to re do some recall after a few months but it was no biggie. Good luck .
After our ED surgery we had no off lead walking for around 4 to 4.5 months and had spent weeks gradually building up walking distances on lead. We had no major relapse on recall despite the lack of practice against distractions. I played recall games indoors, used a long lead on some walks to allow a bit more freedom without the opportunity to run off and again practiced recall and sit/stay on the walk. Also practised walking close indoors without a lead and in the garden. If a begaviour is well trained it nay be a bit rusty from lack of use but is quickly back with a little practice so it would be good to start now - basics are fine as you will quickly work through to more challenging.
