Dog Training

[spotit3]

A few weeks ago I got a lot of help from ABers re my dog pulling on the lead when walking and a few other problems. Thanks to everyonwho replied she is now brilliant and a pleasure to take for a walk.

There is only one thing I can't seem to get the hang of and that is recall. In the garden she comes straight to me but when anywhere else she just comes if she feels like it . If something more interesting appears I haven't a hope of her listening to me. Would be more than greatful for any advice. Don't know what I would do without this site!

[welshlibranr]

have the same problem spotit3, my puppy will come to me with no problem in the garden or home, but with any distractions, no chance!......struggling too!.......

[spotit3]

Hope someone here can help both of us then, Welshlibranr!

[welshlibranr]

sure they will spotit!......they usually are really good!....

[tyrepill]

I carried a squeeky toy with me,which always got attention

[RATTER15]

Some dogs can be very stubborn on re-call, our Wolfhounds will do the same on occasions. We train our with home made liver treats, they will track you down a mile away for them, every time they come back, give them a treat with masses of praise. Never ever raise your voice or show your displeasure when they come back after a lot of calling, they only need to know about positive things when they return. Also search youtube for Dog re-call training, Im sure you will find lots of useful tips there.

[welshlibranr]

thanks tyrepill, haven't tried that so far, don't tend to encourage those squeaky toys!....normally use just cheese for a treat..........

[ladybirder]

My advice would be too call her and run away waving your arms a bit as if you are having fun and want to play with her and make a jolly noise. Her instinct will have her running after you. I did this a couple of days ago with a dog I did not know. A Rotty had run out of a house close to me and two youths were calling her and chasing her and of course she was ignoring them and running away. I called her and as she turned to look at me I ran away from her pretending to have fun and she came straight after me and I caught hold of her. The lads were amazed (so was I as she didn't know me). You've got to do it as if you mean it though, no good being half hearted about it.

[ladybirder]

And of course a big fuss when they come to you, never a telling off.

[slinky.kate]

Try calling them regularly and always giving them a reward and praise. At first call them regularly, as soon as they get about 10 metres away and use the same command each time ie. dogs name come. Then once this seems to be working, during a ten minute walk do this atleast 3 to 4 times so they get used to when you call they get rewarded and it should all fall into place. Most important thing is praise and reward them for doing it correctly. Eventually if you keep it up the dog should start sprinting to get to you.

It's important though if your dog isn't responding to go back to stage 1 and doing it as soon as they get about 10 metres away.

It's always best that your dog is hungry when doing the dog training initially and something that they love! Cheese is always good. My dog would do anything for liver.

Hope this helps.

Craig

[welshlibranr]

sounds good ladybirder!......will try it!.....

[slinkycat]

Try running in the opposite direction to the one your dog is heading in, even if it doen't appear so, she will be keeping an eye on where you are, and will be worried that you are about to abandon her!
Works with my Jrt!

[spotit3]

Thanks everyone, will try all the suggestions and report back in a few weeks. Ratter15, how do you make your liver treats as they sound like they would bevworth a try!

[slinkycat]

Ooops, ladybirder has already suggested that, I'm such a slow typer & have half an eye on the tv!

[welshlibranr]

slinky, thank you!.....very helpful!........will cetainly take heed of your tips, let you know how we go!.....

[RATTER15]

I will ask my goodlady Carakeel to post a recipe on here tomorrow, they really do work and not messy like plain cooked liver.

The dogs love them!!

[ladybirder]

Welsh and spotit, the idea is to make it look the best fun to come and play with you.

[jules77]

Liver cake......

8ozs Liver
4ozs S/R Flour
2 Eggs
2 Cloves Garlic/ or 2 tsps garlic puree.

Put all the ingredients into a blender until the mixture is smooth, pink and runny [not too rigid a requirement if you prefer to make it a bit chunky' Pour into greased swiss roll type baking tin and place in the oven [Gas Mark 4] for around 30-40 minutes.
Leave to cool and cut into bite size pieces.
It can be frozen into individual bags.

[woofgang]

I use a different treat. I buy chopped turkey thigh from tesco, put it in uncovered roasting tins in the oven, bake on 200 degrees till cooked then turn down to 100 degrees and let it dry out. the result is delicious brown cubes of meat that smell like carnivore heaven. Humans can eat it too, its lovely in a sarnie with mayonnaise. My dogs will do anything for it, I keep it for recalls on walks so it stays special.

[RATTER15]

There you go Spotit, that's just about the recipe that Carakeel uses! the dogs will do anything for it.

[spotit3]

Thanks again all. Better straight to the butchers this morning, methinks!