Well, I have read Total Recall and we are now on Stage 1 of the new process (BIG rewards with new recall sound). Bob's existing recall is really effective unless we see any other dogs so I want to start it again from scratch. We are using Pippa's 5 pips. We used to use just 3. I have a few questions about using this new training schedule alongside our normal daily routine if that is OK? When Bob is off lead now, I am trying to make myself as interesting and intriguing as possible. I'm changing direction a lot, hiding, making silly noises when he comes back to me, trying to keep him close. I also throw sticks and balls and then run as fast as I can in the opposite direction so that he has to chase me. He really loves that (and I'm getting quite fit at the same time!) I'm also offering lots of treats for 'checking in' on me. Off lead heel work etc using food as a lure to keep him in place. (on a side note I'd love to put him on the lead a few times during our walk, so that I can give him the pleasure of being let off more than once to make me more interesting.. But he just pulls when we are in the woods, beach or park as there are so many smells. I did this once and because he pulled I couldn't let him off again as it would have rewarded the behaviour. So I'm leaving putting the lead on for this type of activity for now) When I see another dog or potential distraction I will try to get him on lead so that he can't just run off. We are usually stuck by this point (see side note above) as I'll have to keep him on the lead. But I'm going to do it anyway and just C&T a heel walk back to the car. If he DOES run off or if I miss the other distraction for any reason, I'm just leaving him to it. I'm not calling him back at all. I just go over to get him and bring him back to us. I usually lob a stick or something in the other direction once I've got him back to distract him. Just wanted to check I was approaching this all the correct way while we are training the new recall in your views? Or should I be using a training lead? Thank you, Louise
Re: Stage 1 of training new recall Sounds like you are doing well Rather than putting his lead back on you could position yourself so he sits infront of you and he is turned away from the distraction. You could do some basic sit, wait, or give paw or something to keep him occupied with lots of treats. Eventually you should be able get him to sit in view of the distraction and keep his attention.
Re: Stage 1 of training new recall When I'm out and about on an off lead walk with Bella and working on her recall - I sporadically grab her collar before I give her the treat....otherwise I'm just a zoom-by treat dispenser. I also sometimes make her sit to get her treat. Keeping it random, and doing something different at the end of each recall keeps them guessing. I would say that if you want to recall and pop on the lead...do so, and then do a quick 2-3 onlead training session - sit, down, shake, spin, etc...and then pop him off lead again to go sniff. All that being said, the most effective thing for us is to recall-grab collar-treat-sit-treat-release collar and go...randomly.
Re: Stage 1 of training new recall Good words of advice there, thank you! Bob is doing OK but we are just associating the new recall sound with amazing treats at home so it'll be some time before we are out and about actually putting it into practice. Today at the park he was pretty good I must say. He made one break for freedom and ran after 2 other dogs. Interestingly I saw a pause in proceedings and I made a loud squealing noise to get Bob's attention and ran away from him in the opposite direction, thus initiating a chase from Bob. Then heavily rewarded it and thew a stick in the opp direction to where the other dogs were and he carried on playing. It felt good actually having Bob pelting towards you at 100mph. I'm definitely becoming more interesting to him. Tomorrow I'm taking a pouch of cat food out... just to randomly reward him for checking in. I must become more unpredictable!
Re: Stage 1 of training new recall i usually get milly to sit when she comes back but wonder if this is ok as it really rewards the sit i have found for the recall i lean forward and hold my arms out srecthed and she takes more notice
Re: Stage 1 of training new recall I always feel like Job's comforter when I say, please don't throw sticks, it can be very dangerous and I have personally known of a very young dog who died as a result of this. You can buy something called a 'safe stick' which is made of plastic and is safe.
Re: Stage 1 of training new recall Hi there I was thinking about your on/off lead thing...have tried popping the lead on, sit then take the lead off, make the dog wait for a few seconds then release? At least then you are rewarding the sit-wait. Also I know I have to sometimes go backwards and forwards with Welly to stop him pulling, whilst this is tedious he does generally get the message after a few go's. It only needs to be a 1-2 steps and build it up, then sit and release him and off he goes...totally with you though for not rewarding the pulling L
Re: Stage 1 of training new recall [quote author=Stacia link=topic=10156.msg149275#msg149275 date=1426275605] I always feel like Job's comforter when I say, please don't throw sticks, it can be very dangerous and I have personally known of a very young dog who died as a result of this. You can buy something called a 'safe stick' which is made of plastic and is safe. [/quote] Yes good point Stacia, Bob actually cut his lip the other day from chewing on a stick so I should learn my lesson from that. Problem is he doesn't not always routinely return the stick and I'm BAD at throwing, which means if I buy something special for him, it's bound to get lost very quickly! lol! But I'll heed your point. Thank you! [quote author=LisaB link=topic=10156.msg149335#msg149335 date=1426317152] Hi there I was thinking about your on/off lead thing...have tried popping the lead on, sit then take the lead off, make the dog wait for a few seconds then release? At least then you are rewarding the sit-wait. Also I know I have to sometimes go backwards and forwards with Welly to stop him pulling, whilst this is tedious he does generally get the message after a few go's. It only needs to be a 1-2 steps and build it up, then sit and release him and off he goes...totally with you though for not rewarding the pulling L [/quote] Lisa this is a good idea actually, yes I could pop lead on and do a sit/stay - Bob is pretty good at that. And then release.. I'll start building that into our routine now! Lou xx
