I don't know if this should really be in the puppies section. Went out with Molly this morning for a walk, always includes some training. There is an area past the neighbouring farmyard where I've been letting her off the lead and working on recall etc. Its a fairly difficult place in the way of distractions as there are fields close to the track with cattle both sides, foxes ,deer and rabbits frequent the area, so a tough challenge getting her attention. What I didn't notice today, was a walker approaching from behind. This person is a fast walker - actually a neighbour. Well Molly saw her before I did and roared off towards her (1st time Molly has come across someone in the lane when she is off the lead). I tried to call her back, also called the neighbour to ignore her but both ignored me. Upshot, Molly almost floored the neighbour, finally leaping a couple of feet off the ground right into her face Actually the neighbour was a bit of a nuisance fussing Molly and getting her more excited but I felt I had to apologise. Annoyed with myself I didn't notice her and let this happen. Heck of a lot more work to do about approaching people on walks I think. Any tips VERY welcome.
Hi FayRose I know how frustrating that is it happened to me. I wont let my dog off lead now unless n we on our own. I am now training her with the whistle using the total recall book I carnt wait to be able to loose her off the lead and know she will come bak .... fingers crossed lol
I think that has happened to most of us with a young lab! I'm not much help since we are working on Quinn's recall and I've just gotten a long line for the time being, but one thing that has worked if she's already taken off on me is if I can get her attention for a split second, I run the opposite direction away from her, she will turn and chase me rather than continue where she was headed. I don't recall her, just say her name to get her attention. We then do a sit/treat so I can leash her back up. Not foolproof by any means, but worth a shot if she has taken off on you.
I had this issues when Harley was younger and can understand your frustration about people ignoring what you are asking them to do. I wouldn't put her on lead every time you spot someone as she isn't going to learn that way. If you really feel her recall is that poor I would maybe use a long line when out. I persisted with recall training and asked people I knew to pop around to the park when we were out walking to help with training. I would get them to just walk past near us and ignore her. It really helped. Also, I spent a lot of time running in the opposite direction, jumping around making high squeaky noises, playing with her ball etc to make myself more interesting than someone just walking past. It really did work and by the time she was 10 months old she would ignore 95% of people and dogs in the vicinity unless she knew them well. At 3 years old she is 99% reliable at recall / ignoring other people and dogs (unless we know them).
Thanks for your replies, very useful ideas and a relief that I'm not the only one this has happened to. I think trying to 'set up' a situation where someone walks along the path when she's off the lead is a good idea, will try that. At least I can agree with a friend and they are not likely to get wooshed off their feet.
I would like to find a single labrador owner that this has NOT happened to.....frequently! You are not alone...
