I have a 15 month old intact male, he goes to half day care during the week and over the past couple weeks he's been a bit of a challenge for them. He was eating a lot of poo so we changed his diet to adult food, then started giving him vitamin B complex. Seems to have done the trick (so far). Lately, at dog park he has been running away from the pack and not responding when called and/or returns only to run away again. The dog sitters let us know that if this behavior continues they will not be able to take him to the park. When he runs away she is jeopardizing the safety of the other dogs while she retrieves Dio. I totally understand and appreciate her level of care and concern. I don't want my baby getting kicked out of daycare and probably more importantly I don't want all that pent up energy in our my house unsupervised without the outlet of daycare. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle the recall issue? We do the whistle training from "Total Recall" but it's only about 70% effective; when he wants to go (or not come back) that's that despite what high end treat is waiting for him.
I'm no recall expert and was going to suggest Total Recall. I would wonder what the day are arrangements were. How many in a pack walk how many supervising.? How are they interacting with the dogs? Wondering if that type of care is right for your boy? It sounds like he maybe needs a little more one to one on a walk. Mind you if it were me I would probably use a long lead or training lead in that situation but not something a day care would do.
Sounds to me like your dog walker has it too good. Why won’t she/he put him on a lead? One of the dogs I walk bites me everytime I pick him up, jumps on me and licks me to death. He annoys the small pack I walk. Since his recall is unstable, I keep him on the lead even though he nearly pulls my arm out of the socket. Still, I haven‘t given up on him. I love him and I know we will find our way in time and with loads of love and training. If I were you, I would find a less particular and hungry dog walker.
Why doesn't the day care staff keep him on lead until you have proofed his recall? They are allowing your boy to self reward which will put your training back a lot leaving you to re-train from the beginning. I would have a word with them and tell them you want him kept on lead, you are paying them afterall. x
Our boy goes on group walks. Dog walker started letting him off the lead then got a scare when he disappeared off in the woods and I got a call from another walker who had found him. We had previously advised her against it because he had run on us once or twice but gave her the option providing she understood she was responsible if he disappeared. He is now on the lead at all times unless in an enclosed field. She makes the assessment and we are happy with her doing this. This is fairly standard I would imagine. I think your dog carer should be prepared to walk him on the lead as not all dogs can be trusted to return.
Finn used to walk with a dog walker. When a dog wants to run away they put him/her on a long lead, so they can get hold of him. If that doesn’t help, they would have them on a lead. Nowadays they walk the dogs in a former deer meadow/ wood. Fully enclosed. I didn’t like that for Finn just sniffled around and sometimes a bit of play. Not the walks he used to get, so now I am walking him everyday since I no longer work....
Sounds like you need to go back to basics with recall. 70% of the time isn’t sufficient as he could get hurt or lost. When 8 have had foster dogs I have kept them on a long lead until their recall was solid. Can you ask your dog walker to keep him on a long lead? My dog walker keeps 2 dogs on lead at all times with the other 2-3 off lead, but only off lead if their recall is spot on. This works really well for him.
My 14 month is terrible with recall. I changed the word "come" to "front" because I was afraid I had poisoned the recall. He will come in the house most of the time, but outside not at all. I am at a loss what to do now. Any suggestions?
