Trying to make the best of it anyway. :-\ We are still plagued with rabbits and Scott and Scout still think rabbit muck is the most wonderful tasting thing they've ever had. Its completely messing up training. Before the rabbit explosion I was starting to work on casting. This is now pointless as is most retrieving because you can guarantee the retrieve will land right next to some rabbit muck or there will be some within a foot of where I've placed the retrieve. It's everywhere. . When the weather was warm it wasn't too bad because we didn't train for very long anyway now it's getting frustrating. They will leave it when told and they will recall from it as long as I get the whistle in quick but I can't stop them going for it in the first place. Anyway I've decided to concentrate on other ares of training for now so I'm going to do some advanced proofing of wait/stay and extra recall proofing. We can never have enough recall proofing. : I wondered if I could get some advice about recall. My sister has borrowed my copy of Total Recall. : They did some excellent recall this afternoon but If I'm recalling at a distance possibly out of sight and it's ignored (I'm thinking rabbit muck distraction for example) what is the best thing to do ? I can see this problem could easily happen. :-\
Re: Making the best of it. Sorry to sound unsympathetic, but I am not I envy you all the rabbits, have only seen three in the last few years and two of those were dead :'( On a lighter note I believe rabbit poo is good for dogs, full of vitamins or something or other! On the plus side, you will be able to steady your dogs to rabbits, teach the leave command, good heel walking past rabbits, recall past them, all very valuable training situations ;D Annoying though when you are trying to teach the retrieve!
Re: Making the best of it. If a recall is ignored I walk up to my dog and put him on lead. Buy my dog doesn't run away when thus happens which makes it pretty easy. Would your guys run off if you approached them after an ignored recall?
Re: Making the best of it. [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7460.msg103892#msg103892 date=1408730314] Sorry to sound unsympathetic, but I am not I envy you all the rabbits, have only seen three in the last few years and two of those were dead :'( [/quote] We have hundreds of rabbits Stacia. First thing in a morning it's like a scene from Watership down. The baby ones are cute. [quote author=Oberon link=topic=7460.msg103949#msg103949 date=1408740081] If a recall is ignored I walk up to my dog and put him on lead. Buy my dog doesn't run away when thus happens which makes it pretty easy. Would your guys run off if you approached them after an ignored recall? [/quote] No they wouldn't run off, well not usually, especially if it is rabbit muck they are busy tucking in to whilst ignoring me. :. How long would you keep him on a lead for an ignored recall and then would you try it again or wait awhile ?
Re: Making the best of it. Usually, in our case, an ignored recall is due to an edible or rollable distraction so I keep him on lead till we're out of range - not long, usually 20 seconds or so. Sometimes he stays on lead though if the distraction level is too high. To be honest I don't let him off if it's not safe or there are too many temptations and if he's off I don't bother calling if I think I won't get a response (still training husband re. this concept....).
Re: Making the best of it. Hi, This is exactly the same problem that I have with Molly except its dog poo rather than rabbit poo with her. If I throw something for her to retrieve and it happens to land next to some she will leave what I've thrown and eat the poo instead. For the time being I've also had to give up retrieving practise and concentrate on luring her away from the poo. I was really interested to read that some people put their dog back on a lead for an ignored recall. I have started to do this with Molly this week where she ignores a 'leave' or whistle recall and she continues munching. I noticed an immediate difference with her especially as I've really upped my game with high vale treats and lots of praise when she recalls away from some poo without touching it. It seems to have made it clearer to her as to the response that earns her lots of treats. I've also bought a couple of pocket sized tug toys so I can whip one out and have a quick game of tug with her as a reward- particularly as there's no point throwing a ball or dummy for her at the moment! That also seems to have got her really switched on and focused on me- rather than poo munching! Although this is still very much a work in progress!! Vikki
Re: Making the best of it. That's a great tip about putting your dog on lead for an ignored recall. Thanks Rachael Sorry about all the rabbits Jen what a nightmare x
Re: Making the best of it. Went out to do some training this afternoon with the intention of putting the dog on lead if he ignored recall (thank you Rachael). Came across a different problem. :-\ Scout went for a retrieve. I blew my recall as he picked up and turned. Started to race back then stopped. Rabbit muck !! . I started towards him intending to put him on his lead. He didn't run off instead he picked up his ball and came running. I'd only taken about two steps. What do I do ? Reward because he came or no reward because he stopped on the way back. :-\.
Re: Making the best of it. Reward because it was an improvement on not coming back at all. But also go back to basics and make it easy for him to have a win. Make sure you're using really good treats and practise little recalls at a close distance when he's not distracted by anything. If he's too far away walk closer before calling
Re: Making the best of it. I get it. I need to go back to when their recall wasn't as good because I'm now working with the added distraction of the rabbit muck which has made their recall weaker again. That makes sense and moving closer before I call rather than moving closer after I've been ignored. Thank you Rachael. ;D
