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Off Leash Recall

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in this thread:
  • cowgirlchick78
  • bucheger
  • ritchellei
cowgirlchick78
80 posts

Hi, There All,


So, any advice on the off leash recall? One of my Collies, now 2 yrs. is not good at all on off leash recalls. We have been working on this for going over 2 yrs. now. He is a very excitable, distractable, arousable guy. He is not aggressive and is dog-dog friendly, and respects other critters I have. We have also been working on self-control and attention-getting exercise… it seems like forever. He is just a little over 2yrs. I can work him on a 20ft or 50ft long line and he responds well. I even trick him with the sound of the lead clip that I am removing it and he still sticks around. However, he just knows when he is no longer on lead and then, the sights, sounds, smells, etc. are just too much for him and off he goes awandering… I have changed the recall command from “come” to “here” and have practiced and practiced with exercises from all the trainers I know. I even keep the squeeker from a toy in my pocket to get his attention… doesn’t work… it works at home when he is off leash (fenced in yard), and he also recalls fine at home in our fenced in yard as well with a verbal cue and also recalls with a field whistle – at home. Some folks I have met say I should try an electric collar to get the “fog” out of his head. What to do? I have been working on this for… well it seems like forever.


So, I guess I just don’t know how to push this guy’s button. I even went to training with a trainer I know that uses Suzanne Clothier’s techniques… that is where we did most of our training and we even had private lessons with her and her dogs… At this point, he is even not anywhere reliable at all outside of his home environment.


And I should mention we have worked in limited distraction areas, progressing to more distractions, etc. He is good only on lead – whatever length. This is his only bad habit which I need to cure. My fear is that he is not going to runaway, just run into trouble – like an 18 wheeler… I don’t think he thinks I mean business… maybe a fog horn would work… something to have or get his immediate attention. Also, if there is a conversation at home or a group of folks are talking on an issue and of course, some foks talk louder and bolder than others, he tends to become upset on the “tone” and will retreat to his crate and acts “worried”. He will also whine. He is very sensitive to voice and surroundings. I know he is still very much puppy, but I want to fix/control this problem.


Thanks to all for your advice… I will take any knowledge that I can get.
bucheger
4 posts

Sounds like you’re doing the right things. Be patient. Remember that everytime he gets away, he rewards himself. You say he’s good on lead. Does that include if he is dragging the lead? If so, then get a smooth rope 10-20 feet long and tie it securely to a hook so you can clip it on his collar. Let him drag it around. If he consistently comes when called when he’s dragging it, then just keep doing that. Very very very gradually shorten up the length. It may take a year… but just let him drag it all over. When it gets dirty, simply make up a solution of detergent and warm water. Let it soak and agitate it every 20-60 minutes. Let it soak overnight if necessary. Rinse, hang to dry and you’re good to go. (Just watch that the hook doesn’t rust – oil it before and after the soak!) If he knows he’s just dragging a loose lead, and will not come when called, then follow him, stand on the lead and then call. If he doesn’t come, reel him in, giving praise. This makes the “only dragging the lead” seem more random, he never knows if you have him or not! But until he comes consistently without needing to be reeled in, do not try calling him if you aren’t standing on the lead. You may need a longer lead – 20-30 feet to let him get distance AND you being able to stand on the lead. Smooth rope will drag easiliy across all kinds of debris as long as there are no knots, so keep the knots out of it after every use! Good luck!
cowgirlchick78
80 posts

Hey, bucheger,

Thank you so much for replying. I guess I am just too anxious. I will follow this advice. Just what I was thinking. I was gonna switch to a light line next. And yes is the answer to your question regarding is he good just dragging it. I must be more patient. I will check back in with you on his progress. He really is a sweet guy. He is very sensitive as well. I do not want to use any aversives with him. And, I don’t mind waiting another year for this to happen – as long as I can make him safe and stay safe is my concern and well worth it in long run. Also, I welcome any other advice. I don’t want to set him up in an environment that he is not ready for, seeing that he is such an arousable dog and the smells and such I guess are just too distracting for him at this stage of the game.


Peace my Friends and Thanks!
bucheger
4 posts

I’m sure you’ll have success with patience. I understand the safety factor completely. Just an example of how much patience you may need, my 4 year old needed to drag a line for nearly 3 years and even at that, when we started taking longer walks in our woods – we have 10 acres that backs up to other vacant wooded land – this past spring (after snow melted), I had to go back to a short line for him to drag. All those springtime smells were just too much temptation!
ritchellei
156 posts

Here are a few tips on improving your dog’s response to the “recall” command.


• Your “come” command should always mean something wonderful is about to happen.

• Always call your dog in an upbeat tone of voice, even when you are panicked because he is darting away into a dangerous road

• Manage the circumstances.


Training reliability – start by walking your dog on his regular leash.


Come and get it – another exercise to instill a positive response to a “here” command is the “come and get it” game.


Repetition is the key – be sure to remember that it takes nearly a month for a behavior to be conditioned to the point of an automatic response.


Hope this link will help you.


http://dogtime.com/recall-command-aspca.html
cowgirlchick78
80 posts

Hi, ritchellei,


Thank you for your comments. I think he needs more repetition is what I think. It’s not that he is really disobedient, it’s that he is too distracted. And it is hard “not to PANIC”, which is my exercise to practice. We have moved on to the longer lead, since he is really good on the 6ft lead. I use hot dogs and squeeker toys. He is toy and food motivated. And now that he is just a little over 2 yrs., he has become a juvenile dilinquent and is testing if I really mean business. We do practice the hide ‘n seek game and he is doing his “auto check in” — he needs practice with this in distracting situations… sometimes you can see he wants to obey, but is so overly distracted that when “checking in” sometimes he looks like he has marbles in his head — ha, ha… trying to increase the eye contact a little at a time. He is really a hoot watching him try and finally “get it.” He is now up to about a prolonged eye contact of up to a count of 5… so you see he is still quite distracted of what’s going on around him. Also, I made him into a sitting maniac because of his problem with self-control which has worked wonders… especially with guests coming over to visit. We also practice the restrained recall. What he does on this is that he will come “here” and does this go by thing and then come back to me. In my yard, the “go by” is a very short distance, about 10 paces for him… trying to cure this behavior as well. We will work on your advice regarding the food reward from with me and an assistant. Thanks for the tips.


I will check back with you all on the progress we’ve made. I know he is trying but I got to be more firm I think considering he is going through another testing me stage.
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