New recall training page with links to our recall information and articles: Labrador Recall Training Information
Re: Recall Training Centre Very useful stuff, thanks. I don't have a problem with the big recall to whistle, my dog isn't a bogoff dog and we try to keep him to the '20 yard rule' and he responds OK. What is getting a bit irritating is low-level insidious ignoring of a recall command, for example he may be a few feet away having a good old sniff or otherwise interested and it takes 2 or 3 attempts (or a quick tug on the collar) to get a response - its like he is sticking 2 paws up at me! How can I sharpen up on this? many thanks
Re: Recall Training Centre Hi Patricia Low level sloppy recalls are almost always due to low level rewards. A quick refresher with high value rewards, fading these down to a reward every fourth or fifth recall usually does the trick. It isnt possible to sustain a good recall in the long term without the occasional reward unless you punish the dog very accurately for ignoring the recall. And that is not always straightforward. High value rewards don't have to be food, but most labs value these more than most things apart from maybe a retrieve. Another thing you can do is whenever he chooses to come to you of his own free will, just to check in as it were, give the recall command as he is coming towards you. Provided you follow his arrival with a reward, it is good conditioning and helps to create an urge to come towards you when he hears the sound. Most people, me included, once their dogs are mature, just forget to reward the recall enough. We take it for granted.
Re: Recall Training Centre Thanks Pippa, I had taken his recall for granted - I think you must be in league with Frankie for more sausages! We will start this tomorrow regards Patricia
Re: Recall Training Centre We're having this problem with Riley now.....I think it's made worse by calling him many times without treats just in the normal course of the day, in the house, garden etc and we've definitely been guilty of not rewarding these recalls. It seems to be creeping into his return from retrieves too as every now and then in excitement he'll do a lap with the dummy and not come back until lured with another dummy, ball or chase game. This is causing me concern as his recall with other dogs around has never been great as his idea of the best fun is to play with other dogs. I was hoping to really work on proofing this but it feels like we've taken a big step backwards in the meantime. Our trainer has said he must go back on his long lead when out until he's reliable. I do have one question though about punishment.....I'm not clear how I would punish the dog for not returning without making him unwilling to come back at all. Also how do you punish a dog that you can't get to (as he's not returning) and you don't want to start chasing him as that's definitely a losing battle? I feel like we haven't instilled enough discipline as he doesn't stop what he's doing if we growl at him or tell him off verbally....... confused from Winchester and at the very least back to basics again armed with loads of treats !
Re: Recall Training Centre Dear confused from Winchester Your Riley and my Sam seem very similar in their personalities and traits ! I wish I could offer more advice apart from the back to basics which I`ve had to employ with Sam over the past week or so . He too loves playing with other dogs , even more than his treats so I guess as advised , a higher value treat is in order !
Re: Recall Training Centre Thanks for the moral support Kate One of the hardest things for me has been finding well behaved dogs to do some proofing work with (as advised in some of the recall articles on the site). I have one friend with a trustworthy dog but so few people seem to have their dogs under control on walks it's proving difficult to manage consequences without keeping Riley on a line of some kind. I'm definitely thinking about working with a professional one to one with their dogs to get us through this stage that's proving so challenging to set up. We have had some success in the garden though as the neighbours dogs can get to the fence and Riley has stayed by me or come away for copious food !! Looking forward to hearing how you're getting on and what's worked well for you
Re: Recall Training Centre You might find a one on one helps Barbara , Sam has now had two sessions with a gundog trainer and apart from him loving it, she has given me a lot of tips . The most valuable one so far has been training him to walk at heal on lead, he was the very devil for pulling and I tried everything , she told me to get a slip lead, the rope type and showed me how to check him to bring him to heal , its worked a treat . Its not cheap, but I hope that maybe just a few more lessons and he , and I will maybe have learned a lot !! I agree with you about finding a well trained dog to take them out with, they are thin on the ground round here too !
Re: Recall Training Centre Recall is a huge subject (I have actually written a book on it but it doesnt come out till July I'm afraid! ) and one that a lot of people find themselves getting into problems with towards the end of the first year. I recommend that you do not use punishment at all for recall. It is too difficult to be accurate in the delivery of a punishment when the dog is by definition nowhere near you. The key is an effective reward schedule and proofing in gradual stages. Each time you raise the bar/add a new distraction , increase the rewards and fade out gradually, but never completely. Then heaps more rewards as you raise the bar again. Prevent the dog self rewarding at all costs (use the long line if necessary) and you will succeed.
