Rewarding the recall

[Ayoka]

Ok here's the situation.

Thankfully, we are to the point in Flyball that Bear's runback is great 95% of the time. (For those of you that remember, he thought at first that running by me totally was a blast and then he moved on to thinking that chasing dogs in the OTHER lane was a TON of fun and usually ended up in trouble as a result!). The other 5% of the time he will cross over toward another dog and when I call him or get his attention he'll leave the dog and come back to me.

Here's my question:

To this point I have been rewarding him for coming to me with his favourite treat whether he comes directly to me or gets distracted. But someone has suggested to me that rewarding him when he comes to me after he crosses over may not be sending him the message that I want him to come directly to me every time! My thinking in rewarding him for coming (detour or no detour) was that eventually he would realise that he gets the treat quicker if he doesn't take the detour.

My greatest fear at this point is to turn him off the recall my making it boring, unrewarding or just plain NOT FUN! We have worked really hard on recall through distractions in the flyball lanes and he HAS improved immensely since I first realised we had an issue. I still want to him to return to me 99.99% of the time.

Is rewarding him everytime he comes to me (direct or indirect route) a bad idea?

Should I start witholding treats for those imperfect run backs?

[dmoniz]

I was told to never feed a fix, you can still praise and still make it fun and happy, but no food unless it is done right!

[Ilovemypuppy]

In this case, I WOULD reward any comeback, BUT carry an extra SUPER treat for a correct comeback. Like you said, I would not in anyway want to discourage his recall, it is getting better, so I think a JACKPOT treat might increase the result.

He sounds like a really fun boy !

Another idea...try to respond QUICK if he deviates coming back to you...get his attention..trying to thwart his INTENTION to deviate. Try to read him and remind him BEFORE he starts to go out...I think you can read him pretty well...so it's the intention, that's your cue.

With all the commotion of flyball and the noise..you're going to have to be very creative...but I am sure you can do it . Good luck and let us know how it goes .

Another thing you can do is start training using a different command for come FAST and treat ONLY with the jackpot treat.

[Ilovemypuppy]

I meant to mention, that when training or re-training the recall..ALWAYS have a long line on your dog...so you have a way to reel him in if he deviates or hesitates and make it SUPER fun .

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

He sounds like a really fun boy !

Another idea...try to respond QUICK if he deviates coming back to you...get his attention..trying to thwart his INTENTION to deviate. Try to read him and remind him BEFORE he starts to go out...I think you can read him pretty well...so it's the intention, that's your cue.

Boy is he EVER!!! *sigh*

We have learned that things can escalate really quickly if he crosses over on a dog who doesn't like to be chased! So, I have become very good at reading him...crossing over is usually preceeded by a turn of the head...(WOAH! LOOK! ANOTHER DOG, must be play time! ) so I ALWAYS give a Big "BEAR! BRING IT! even before he gets to the box (to try and remind him) and when he starts to turn his head to look over I usually say "Bear!! Leave IT! and he'll get back on track.

I have tried to use "Bring it" as our flyball recall/retrieve word as opposed to "Here" our word for come in the house or outside.

As he is very food motivated, I like the idea of having an alternate food for the indirect recall and the gross, stinky treats for the perfect one

I can't wait until we can do those turn your back and run like hell runbacks!!

PS-W'll be at a tournament in Chester, NS this weekend. Is that your neck of the Nova Scotia Woods?

Edited to add: In the field we DO use a long line...in the lane though, I'm so clumsy I'm sure I'd end up hurting him, myself or others.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

Boy is he EVER!!! *sigh*

We have learned that things can escalate really quickly if he crosses over on a dog who doesn't like to be chased! So, I have become very good at reading him...crossing over is usually preceeded by a turn of the head...(WOAH! LOOK! ANOTHER DOG, must be play time! ) so I ALWAYS give a Big "BEAR! BRING IT! even before he gets to the box (to try and remind him) and when he starts to turn his head to look over I usually say "Bear!! Leave IT! and he'll get back on track.

I have tried to use "Bring it" as our flyball recall/retrieve word as opposed to "Here" our word for come in the house or outside.

As he is very food motivated, I like the idea of having an alternate food for the indirect recall and the gross, stinky treats for the perfect one

I can't wait until we can do those turn your back and run like hell runbacks!!

PS-W'll be at a tournament in Chester, NS this weekend. Is that your neck of the Nova Scotia Woods?

Edited to add: In the field we DO use a long line...in the lane though, I'm so clumsy I'm sure I'd end up hurting him, myself or others.

You've the idea....re-connect with him IN his intention
Wow!! Chester is about an hour and a half from here....what time would I be there to see you and Bear run and where is it held ?

[Ayoka]

I'll PM you with the details!