| Field trainers make use of a very light, round, braided nylon check cord (long line) that's about 40 or 50 ft. long.(Available in J+B catalog, I think) It is very light, and slips through most types of cover without hanging up. The dog drags it all the time outside. Rather than setting up situations where he is artificially kept far enough away to call, utilize the moments when he is so intent on something that you are afraid he might not come. That's the time you want a solid recall, anyway. Pick up the cord, call, and if you don't get an instant response, pop the lead and run backward if needed to get him in motion towards you. Then lots of praise, or reward for leaving what he was so interested in to come to you. If you might have to pull hard on the cord, or if he might jerk the lead, you may want to have leather gloves on - those nylon cords can burn if jerked through your grip. |