Just published on the main website: Why has my Labrador's recall broken down? (and what to do about it )
Re: Why has my recall broken down? I feel I probably fit all three of those categories at the moment. I just need time to work on recall but can never find it. Trouble is, its not SO bad it is desperate, just bad enough not to be reliable enough with the wildlife distractions. Its so difficult to manufacture them and proof them. I have a week off at Easter which I thought would be great but we have a doggy companion for my week now too, so a bit of a hindrance. I really need to make some inroads....... So many things to do, so little time. I should probably just get off the forum for a while :
Re: Why has my recall broken down? Oh but we'd miss you! Proofing is difficult. You just have to do the best you can with the time you have available. None of us makes a perfect job of it.
Re: Why has my recall broken down? Thank you. Onwards and upwards Pippa. Always things to improve on (and people to inspire me) I guess I am having a bad week. I should be getting out more and enjoy the weather and get a bit of training in to boot.
Re: Why has my recall broken down? Hopefully spring and the lighter evenings will cheer us all up! You're doing a great job Jac, dog training in itself can be a full time job, never mind going to work and being a Mum
Re: Why has my recall broken down? A great article, just as I'm planning return to work with Charlie and finding out how much recall is left to us. On this point: Creating automatic responses are about building up great pathways in the brain. And just like pathways through a field, the pathways in the brain become clearer, more obvious, and more easy to follow, the more frequently they are used I think I did too much recall. I think at one point, Charlie got bored of recall and we had to make an effort to jazz it up and make it more of a game. Do you think it's possible to ask for a recall too often? Or just too often in a boring way (as I was probably doing)? ;D The main time when I thought I used my recall too much (it never failed though) was when we were walking and Charlie would go too far away, I'd recall him back. I thought I did this a lot and he started to look jaded and be a tad slower to respond. An about turn walk would have been better (but I was going somewhere).
Re: Why has my recall broken down? [quote author=editor link=topic=4849.msg60451#msg60451 date=1394657957] Hopefully spring and the lighter evenings will cheer us all up! You're doing a great job Jac, dog training in itself can be a full time job, never mind going to work and being a Mum [/quote] Thank you Pippa. I know which one I would give up first
Re: Why has my recall broken down? I think it's possible to ask for a recall too much, so I do hiding behind trees etc. on my walks with Hattie & Charlie and running in the opposite direction, zig zagging so keeping it a bit more fun : I do try and save my recall for necessary times and emergencies of which there are a lot and I always have jackpot treats for these I have always been taught not to over recall
Re: Why has my recall broken down? Jac, we all do what we can when we can and you have a VERY important job and you train Lilly, so don't you dare beat yourself up OK xx
Re: Why has my recall broken down? Do you think if there has been a "wildlife adventure", an ignored recall (only the one whistle or shout - MAYBE two), a return "when she's ready" there should be a low, middling, or jackpot reward for coming back? Given that this is the trickiest situation for us to manage? [size=8pt](Having a down week - don't make me cry Helen.....)[/size]
Re: Why has my recall broken down? [quote author=charlie link=topic=4849.msg60467#msg60467 date=1394660667] I think it's possible to ask for a recall too much, so I do hiding behind trees etc. on my walks with Hattie & Charlie and running in the opposite direction, zig zagging so keeping it a bit more fun : I do try and save my recall for necessary times and emergencies of which there are a lot and I always have jackpot treats for these I have always been taught not to over recall [/quote] Those are all good ideas. My query was in part prompted by "just like pathways through a field, the pathways in the brain become clearer, more obvious, and more easy to follow, the more frequently they are used" - so trying to reconcile the more frequently they are used really.
Re: Why has my recall broken down? I'm with you Jac ! Hugs ! We were told in no uncertain terms that ALL the problems we were having with retrieving (gunshot notwithstanding) could be taken back to the core basics, I was fixed with a steely look and told our recall wasn't good enough. Much soul searching and thinking later and we're definitely back on a sorting out the basics programme!
Re: Why has my recall broken down? [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4849.msg60475#msg60475 date=1394661590] I was fixed with a steely look and told our recall wasn't good enough. Much soul searching and thinking later and we're definitely back on a sorting out the basics programme! [/quote] You'll be buying the fine fish products in bulk then? ;D ;D Funny that, I was thinking of stocking up myself!!
Re: Why has my recall broken down? [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=4849.msg60472#msg60472 date=1394661032] Do you think if there has been a "wildlife adventure", an ignored recall (only the one whistle or shout - MAYBE two), a return "when she's ready" there should be a low, middling, or jackpot reward for coming back? Given that this is the trickiest situation for us to manage? [size=8pt](Having a down week - don't make me cry Helen.....)[/size] [/quote] I would never want to make you cry Jac, I hope you are ok Hmm I personally would go for the jackpot for coming back as yes it's a very tricky situation. How long does it take Lilly to return to you? x
Re: Why has my recall broken down? [quote author=charlie link=topic=4849.msg60495#msg60495 date=1394663669] Hmm I personally would go for the jackpot for coming back as yes it's a very tricky situation. How long does it take Lilly to return to you? x [/quote] Usually a few minutes....maybe 5? Rarely, if she has a visual on a hare (not seen many lately thankfully) has been up to 10mins. Of course, it feels like half an hour, doesn't it? I don't find a long line practical. She rarely strays too far when she has it on for "flat walks", even the lightweight rope. I think she realises its there. Often though we walk in the (deer) woods, so not that great in that situation. And (cover your ears Heidrun) I don't think I really want to stop her doing the hunting bit as she does enjoy it, BUT I need her to come back. I appreciate that the two might not be compatible though. Mostly she is just off following scents.
Re: Why has my recall broken down? Would she find it rewarding to have the opportunity to chase and grab a tug toy on a rope? In flyball (where you need a fast and furious recall) a lot of people use a thick plait of fleece fabric (equafleece make a similar thing called a 'dog not'), or you could use a fur covered dummy or something. The idea is that you run away from the dog, dragging the tug object (on a rope if needed), and when the dog catches up and grabs it you have a game. It is hugely rewarding for a lot of dogs. You are also first meant to build up the desirability of the tug object by playing with it yourself (or with a family member) without letting the dog have it for a week. The toy is put away when not in use for recalls. Just thinking of alternative rewards that might tap into her hunt-oriented brain and make the recall a more attractive prospect for her
Re: Why has my recall broken down? We are working on recall. At the beach, she is great, and will even return her ball to our hand for an intermittent reward. In the woods, not a chance. Not generally speaking a tuggy girl. We do have a rabbit skin ball, but she is SO terribly interested in it and not keen on handing it over even in a confined space in the house I am a bit worried about using it. I guess I haven't really worked out how to use it as a tool. And of course, need the time to do it.
Re: Why has my recall broken down? Doesn't feel like half an hour it has been We have Charlie on a 10 meter line and now dropping it in the woods, he has been recalling well to voice and whistle, but lots of hiding behind trees and running away from him has helped enormously especially at the weekends when we drag the boys out and he has to come and find four people. I know what you mean about the long line it is such a pain getting wrapped round trees etc. but at least he can't run off : When Lilly is coming back from and 'adventure' do you reinforce the recall whistle as she heads towards you but only if you haven't already blown it? Could you drag your OH and Sophie out for games in the woods at the weekends to help with her recall?
