:-\ So, Maddie is now just over 6 months and the total recall has been going fab,,,,,,, until today. Walking round the forest, like we do regularly and just as I spot to horses with riders, she spots them too. I give her the 3 pips on the whistle,,,,,,,,,, and she stands there,,,,,, with her back to me (she's not close enough for me to get hold of her) then bogs off in their direction. She then proceeds to act like a complete twit and offers up all of her play moves to the horses. Luckily the riders were understanding and as I apologised profusely, they said it was ok. But it's not ok to me. She seems to have acquired a level of deafness today and no amount if chicken seemed to persuade her
Re: Oh Maddie! You naughty pup!!! They all have their off days, but re horses and riders, it could be dangerous for them and for Maddie as she could get kicked . If this is a regular place for horses , I would tend to have her on a long training line so that you can proof her recall in complete safety . So , she starts heading towards them, you can gently reel her in and only when she is coming towards you , recall her . Recalling when they are not coming back is setting them up to fail, much better to have a positive result even if its at the end of a training line
Re: Oh Maddie! You naughty pup!!! Ooof, poor you. Makes you feel such a fool when they're off like a shot leaving you in their wake (been there!). Unusual events are the hardest to proof against - I guess it could be weeks before you stumble across some more horses, and when you do there's not much opportunity to dally around doing training. I've done this one from both sides, as I ride as well as own a lab, and I have to say it's pretty unnerving being on a horse with an unpredictable dog at your feet (but you didn't need telling that). Are there any riding schools nearby who you could visit, and just spend a morning or two with Maddie looking at horses and getting bored with them? You'd need to call first, as some horses are funny with dogs too, but I would think that many horsey people would be delighted that you're taking such a proactive attitude to making sure your dog is reliable around horses, so worth an ask I would think.
Re: Oh Maddie! You naughty pup!!! Scary, I agree with Kath or do you perhapys know someone who owns a horse and you could ask them could you walk Maddie a short distance on a longer line along side a horse and rider and try recalling her to show her how to behave with lots of delicious high value treats? I'm not a horse woman and a novice dog owner but just my thoughts. Good luck x
Re: Oh Maddie! You naughty pup!!! Thanks guys. Silly thing is I am a horse owner and rider. She will do the same if she sees a lovely looking person in the distance but I'm usually 'on it' before she makes her move! Up until today, she's always come back. She just loves everyone and everything! But I need to have control. I always have chicken with me and until today, that's been more than enough to encourage her back to mum. I will have to try harder! She is, after all, a baby and it's my job to teach her
Re: Oh Maddie! You naughty pup!!! ;D ;D So not the horses per se then!! Maybe she's just entering the joyous teenage years
Re: Oh Maddie! You naughty pup!!! Haha I remember those days, I used to have lots of squeaky toys with me to just get there attention so they are able to listen, they grow out of it mine stay very close and never goo very far from me at all good luck
Re: Oh Maddie! You naughty pup!!! Yes I think adolescence has struck! Lol. Although she has redeemed herself today and been a very good pup!
