| Re: recall?
I agree with the long line and the treat and reel him in. If you dont feel confident in the long line do it on your leash, let im walk out in front, and then call him back (walking back yourself while pullling in the leash) tempt him with a treat. Remember, evertime he does come praise praise praise. Always prolong the praise, so that the dog feels that there something well worth coming for; don't just give it a couple a quick strokes and think that's enough, otherwise you can imagine your dog thinking, "Well, that's a big deal, isn't it! I came when called, yet that's all I get for it!" So be generous and convey your pleasure when you praise your dog. I have started Jett on a short leash with treats and walking back slowly. This has been going on for a week now and everytime i call her (either inside my house or in the back yard) she now comes and sits at my feet waiting to be praised and given her treat. I dont give her the treats everytime now, maybe every second time but the praise is prolonged and continuous so that she knows this is what i want.
Trina
(this is an extract from Dogs Victoria) hope it helps.
A long straight footpath (i think you call it a sidewalk) is a good place to teach your dog the recall on the leash. The two edges will help you to keep straight. All you have to do is to walk backwards in the centre. There will be many scent distractions on the nature strips one side and fences or open gardens on the other side. When and if your dog attempts to veer towards them, show it with accurate corrections that it is not to go in those directions and be sure to praise sincerely when you get it to come straight. It is a good idea to space out your recalls as you work your way further and further up the street, so that your dog will learn to do them at anytime, anywhere and in different situations. You will also be giving your dog a break between each recall, and that is important. With sloping footpaths, free walk up hill, so that the dog is recalled downhill. That makes the sit in front easier. The other way is difficult for the dog. It is important for you to walk backwards at a slow to moderate pace. Never run backwards as that is likely to excite your dog and it may well start jumping up at you. Also, you could slip and have a nasty fall if you were ever running backwards on wet, slippery grass. Finally, just before you do a recall, check that there is no one walking behind you! Pedestrians following wouldn't be expecting you to suddenly walk backwards into them, so avoid having an embarrassing accident!
When you are confident that your dog will recall on the leash as you walk backwards and you don't have to make any corrections, you should then go on to the next stage by dropping the leash, but not in the street! Try this in a safe, enclosed area like your backyard. Carry out one recall on the leash as you have been doing over the past week or so, and then do the next recall by discreetly dropping the leash as you free walk your dog. Walk backwards for a few steps while your dog continues to walk forwards. Recall your dog in a positive tone, "Millie, come!" Give praise immediately when your dog's head turns towards you. Then, as you continue to walk backwards in a straight line and continue to give praise, go through the motions very precisely with one hand after the other as if you were gathering in an imaginary leash. The dog, recognizing your hand movements and believing it is still on the leash, should come to you. As it comes close to you, take hold of the clip part of the leash only and, whilst walking backwards, place your other hand over the dog's behind, command "Sit", and guide its hindquarters down and towards you. Keep its attention with prolonged, quiet vocal and gentle physical praise, and then dismiss your dog. If your dog fails to come after two or three calls, walk up to it, pick up the handle of the leash, say, "Millie, come" and carry out the recall as before. This procedure will uphold your command. You should now see why the leash is still attached to the dog in this interim stage of the recall where you have dropped it out of your hand. You never know when you might need to pick it up again.
There will always be the possibility that you dog may suddenly be scent distracted and stop to have a good sniff on the ground whilst doing the recall. This is where you have to be very quick with a corrective command like, "Leave it", followed by, "Come", followed by, "Good dog — very good!" Quite simply, you have to vocally correct your dog, and then tell it what it must do, and immediately praise it for responding well. It is vitally important that you deliver the words in the correct tone of voice and that you get your timing right.  |