Bonnie's recall's not bad. It's never been 100% though and so today I decided to use Pippa's about turn technique http://www.thelabradorsite.com/dog-recall-the-about-turn-walk/ I'm sure it's going to be successful if we get it right and it will appeal to Bonnie! I have two questions... and, if I say that Bonnie's attitude to recall is: No distractions - 100% Distractions - "I'll come when I'm ready or maybe slightly before that since you asked so nicely!" that might help explain my questions. We have a quiet, safe field where we live and provided I time it right (just after nine) there are very few distractions. We started in earnest this morning with phase one and it was going well. Then, unfortunately another dog-walker with two small dogs arrived and Bonnie went shooting off to say hello. I walked off in the other direction to see if she would follow me but of course she didn't and I realised that I couldn't leave the other dog owner to deal with the situation! So, I walked over and explained why I'd initially not come and why I wasn't recalling Bonnie. She understood and the dogs had a nice play and then off we went again to resume our training. One of the little dogs was growly and snappy but as Bonnie is much bigger and the woman assured me he only snaps, doesn't make contact, I just kept an eye on the situation. My question is, if the dogs had been big and unfriendly, what should I have done? I can see the value in not using our usual recall word until we've imprinted it more firmly using the about turn technique - but what about those grey areas where I absolutely need to recall her in the interim whilst we're still learning? With the old technique she may have come on about the 3rd ask which isn't ideal but seems better than leaving her to it. But whilst using the old technique I'm diluting the impact of the about turn technique. Have I explained that well enough!?!! My second question is ... sometimes Bonnie loses her ball and she loves nothing more than when I say "where's your ball?" and she has to go and sniff it out and retrieve it. I think she may even hide it from herself on purpose that tail-wag is so strong!!! Should I be interacting with Bonnie at all whilst we're in phase one or should I just keep walking in different directions? Should we play find the ball, or should I stay absolutely focused on making sure she's watching me, not the other way round? I really like the idea of making Bonnie concentrate on my whereabouts as I think I need to establish better leadership whilst we're out and about but if I start playing with the ball we slightly lose that, I think!? Hope my questions make sense. I really want to improve our recall as I can tell it would easily slip over time (Bonnie is already much more adventurous than when she was littler). Any thoughts!? Thank you
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn First off - if her recall is not 100%, I would suggest getting her on a long time that you can use to help recall her. This means she won't go tearing up to anyone and gives you a modicum of control over her, but she still gets the feeling of being loose and off leash. I think "find your ball" is a fun game! Maybe try hiding it yourself and initiating it so she associates the game with you? I throw treats for Maisie to find it but she comes back to me because she knows the treats don't pop up randomly in the grass - they come from me! Fiona was talking about making herself more interesting to the dog and being unpredictable (which is what turn-about is) … sometimes throw a treat, sometimes ask for a sit, sometimes bring out a toy, etc… they don't know what they're getting when they come to you, just that it is something good!
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn I found the about-turn strategy worked much better when walking in the woods, so that I was quickly out of sight, rather than in open spaces. I would also definitely instigate play while you're out - you want to be the source of the most fun your dog can have. My dog has improved hugely since this time last year, in her recall and desire to walk near to me and while some of this may be maturity (19 months old now) , I think it's more to do with the fact that we play a lot. I've also found that the more boring elements of training (such as stay) are also improving now that she knows it will be followed by a game.
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn Hi there, The about turn walk isn't so much about recall training, at least not in the initial stages, as about teaching a dog to take responsibility for maintaining contact with you. And in the situation you describe, you did the right thing to go and get your dog. A long line is a great idea if your dog is often tempted to run after other people's dogs. This is a proofing issue and you need to set up situations where you can practice recalling away from other dogs or other distractions in circumstances where you can control the outcome. Have a look at this article - curing selective deafness for some thoughts on this topic
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn I've always mixed Juno's recall training up when out walking. Sometimes she's called and just gets fussed and told she's a good girl and then sent off again, sometimes she gets a treat, sometimes she has her lead clipped back on and walked a short distance before bring released again. I know I'm lucky with her but by mixing up the recall she doesn't seem to worry as to why she's called back but knows there could be a treat at the end of it.
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn Thanks for these great tips. @Maisiesmomma - the long line is a great idea, we'll get one after Easter and start on that. We're not massively keen on letting mum have the ball to throw at the moment.... We're going to work on that at some point when we get our safety stuff right! @Joy and MaccieD - I didn't put this in my post because I didn't think it was massively relevant to the proofing but Bonnie's always been pretty good at staying close to me. I'm sure it's because I'm as mad as a hatter and I play and talk to her all the time when we're walking. She only runs off if there's another dog. However, as she's becoming more confident and familiar with our woods and field, she is tending to explore a little further away from me, so your advice is well heeded. @Pippa - the selective deafness article is brilliant. Thanks for the link (and for writing it!!) I love the fact that you always marry the nuts and bolts of the training with dog psychology. It really helps to understand why we're doing what we do and it stops me from taking shortcuts because I get what it means from the pup's point of view! Huge thanks. Will read more thoroughly, absorb and implement! Yay!
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn Juno sometimes looks at me as if to say, please can I sniff this patch of grass in peace ;D
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn Bless him - but mum wants to train again! The article is fantastic. I'm not too many sandwiches short of a picnic but.... I'd always thought that training necessarily had to be a challenge. The idea that you can make it easier for your dog to succeed is such brilliant logic.
Re: Proofing recall - the about turn After taking on board the general note that you can set your puppy up for success (and also the article about why dogs pull on the lead) .. yesterday Bonnie and I went in a completely different direction from the field and the woods. There isn't any spot where we can go off-lead in that direction so we just practiced walking to heel.... Distractions were managed with a bigger distraction and short pulls to explore something new were handled with a gentle "heel" command. And so we walked all the way there and all the way back to heel. We even learnt a new "head up" command and had a lovely time. Bonnie really enjoyed it. I'd no idea she could enjoy a walk without a good old tear about! The idea that I can set her up for success and that we're in this together to make it as delightful and easy as possible has revolutionised my attitude.
