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Grr, I need to work on recall..Lizzie is a little pistol

2K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  sprorchid 
#1 ·
I take Lizzie out the front door to the front yard to potty. We have a walkout and it is just easier going out front. Our house is about 90 ft from the street, so there is alot of room to roam. I ALWAYS go out with her and walk with her. She sometimes walks down the driveway and off to the side to potty and back up to the porch she goes. Well, the new neighbors kitty corner across the street got a dog this summer and she has an electric fence. She is always out running and Lizzie sees her. The deer also congregate at the house across the street starting at dusk and they are out at our last potty call of the night. So...there is a lot of activity across the street. She generally ignores the deer, but last week she started growling at them. SO the other night she just took off across the street all the way back to the lot line. There is a fence, but the deer go to the new dogs house and back into the woods. She disappeared-mind you it is dark and I am running and screaming and she just keeps going:frusty:. I finally saw her white little body come back. Usually she listens when I say stop, but every once in awhile she just gets something in her head and goes. Luckily, none of the neighbors were driving by as she crossed the street. She has only been out on a leash since then. I don't even know where to start with recall training. Any ideas???
 
#2 ·
Kodi has a very good recall, but the "call" to chase wild animals is very strong, and the dangers of both the street AND the possibility of getting lost or in trouble in the dark are just too great. We live W-A-Y away from the street, so that isn't a problem for us. But in the evenings, besides the coyote danger, there are woodchucks, rabbits, deer and skunks out and about. Kodi ONLY goes out on-leash from early dusk until the sun is fully up in the morning... longer if the day is dark and overcast. Even with a strong recall, you can't control what those other animals (or a car!) will do!

That said, it always makes sense to work on a strong recall. It is NOT something that happens quickly. It's something that you will have to work on several times a day for at least a year to solidify, and then "maintain" it, with regular practice for the rest of her life. There are several threads on recalls already on the forum, including a method involving a whistle, that Dave posted at one point. (the whistle isn't any magic, it's just a replacement for over-used call words that the dog has already learned to ignore)
 
#4 ·
Karen, Is so right, dogs with strong prey find furry creatures roaming about irresistible, it's not the training goes out the window, sometimes the call is stronger. One of my friends who's dog is an excellect obedience dog, ran off the trail and got a squirrel...it happened so quick...we were shocked, but the look on her dog's face...wish I had my camera...he dropped it. I always use the leash in areas where there are a lot of critters.

We always practice recall at home, these days it's reinforcement. I have a long hall up stairs I take one at a time and spend about 10 to 15 minutes, we are practicing fronts, but when I first got them just recalls were what we practiced, after awhile we started doing it all over the house, then the yard, in the front yard I used a long line with Yogi at first (did not trust him). We also have a reliable stay, I have had to use this when people are walking a leash reactive dog by our house...it allows me to calmly walk over and take my dogs collar and quitely walk them away.
 
#5 ·
awwwww, Lynne, I SO understand. I do NOT trust Tillie at all.

Her recall is fantastic, 100% when she KNOWS we are working on it. In the house, at class, etc... but in real life. not so much. If there are people, any other animals, forget it.
Typically I just don't even give her the chance and keep her on leash or inside.
 
#6 ·
yeah Lynne, what your describing could be a little hazardous for sure. There are lots of good ones but this one by Casey Lamonaco is middle of the pack as far as the training involved, good for basic recall but not as elaborate as some obedience programs. This site is a pain sometimes , but here are the links.
Recall Training: Getting Started Casey Lemanaco

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/recall-training-getting-started

Weeks three and four http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/recall-training-stage-3
 
#7 ·
Phew! I am so happy you found her and she didn't get hit by a car! That is so scary. I walk my guys off leash, but never if there is a street nearby. When there are cars, I keep them leashed. I would never trust them if a bunny rabbit would run by.

We walk in the woods and they see all kinds of animals. They will chase them until I say stay or stop! They will only chase so far. They never go too far where they can't see me.

I think the whistle sounds good. I also try "touch" if they won't respond to come. When my guys are enjoying some tasty tall grass, they don't listen very well:) If I say touch, they know a treat is involved:)
 
#9 · (Edited)
Thanks, Dave. I know that you posted this before. I will for sure start working with her on it.

Really, why is she chasing deer???? They are so much bigger than her.
good question Lynne LOL. It's called a fixed action pattern, a hardwired behavior that is stronger is some breeds more than others. If you want a good dvd on this try this one by Jean Donaldson. or google it. http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=dtb888 Be glad you don't have a hound lol .
 
#10 ·
I suck at recall, teaching it that is. being consistent is tough.

luckily all my dogs have a strong bond with me, and I only say come, when I mean it. my two boys have no fear of cars, and that worries me. I try to not put them in situations where they can run loose and get in trouble.
 
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