Non-Existent Recall

Loki's recall has now slipped to the point where it doesn't exist. If I want him to follow me, I have to shout him until he looks at me, and then run the other way making stupid noises. You can imagine how embarrassed I was when I saw a person on the other side of the field looking at me . After that I kept him on the lead just in case. It is obvious, though, that he's still the same with people and dogs (wants to meet them but won't run right to them as soon as he sees them if they're not close). He doesn't listen to me because he's too busy sniffing. Seriously, I held a treat under his nose and he just went back to sniffing. I can't even explain to you how out of character that is. Teenager, I'm assuming. Anyway, what do I do? Do I get him one of those long leads and practice with that? What do I do if he doesn't come back; pull him back to me and then praise him when he comes?

Please tell me this doesn't last the entire time they're meant to be in this phase. Please tell me he'll learn quick enough. I'll never be able to burn off his energy if he doesn't get an off-lead run, this is going to be horrendous

Yes, a long line attached to a harness. Call him once & if he doesn't come immediately pull him in with the long line. As soon as he's with you, a treat & loads of praise. Make yourself really attractive to him, even if it means getting down on your knees & acting silly!

Most of them go through this stage, so don't worry, you're not alone!

Exactly what Caryll say's Rolo had a "hiccup" with his recall... so we went back to basics on a long line... played lots of hide n seek and high value rewards... cheese, sausage, chicken etc... Keep on Loki and he'll get there,

Good luck

ANattyRat wrote:Loki's recall has now slipped to the point where it doesn't exist. If I want him to follow me, I have to shout him until he looks at me, and then run the other way making stupid noises. You can imagine how embarrassed I was when I saw a person on the other side of the field looking at me . After that I kept him on the lead just in case. It is obvious, though, that he's still the same with people and dogs (wants to meet them but won't run right to them as soon as he sees them if they're not close). He doesn't listen to me because he's too busy sniffing. Seriously, I held a treat under his nose and he just went back to sniffing. I can't even explain to you how out of character that is. Teenager, I'm assuming. Anyway, what do I do? Do I get him one of those long leads and practice with that? What do I do if he doesn't come back; pull him back to me and then praise him when he comes?

Please tell me this doesn't last the entire time they're meant to be in this phase. Please tell me he'll learn quick enough. I'll never be able to burn off his energy if he doesn't get an off-lead run, this is going to be horrendous

Kuchar's exactly the same. Recall brilliant until he sees something (anything he can play with) that's more attractive. More attractive than COOKED LIVER PIECES?! oh yes.

So, as Caryll advises, he is now on a long lead, whilst still practising the recall. He's getting better - slowly - but like you I'm praying that this teenage phase will pass as he gets used to seeing other dogs/humans. I do find, however, that a walk on a nice long lead (26ft) exercises him just as much as off-lead, and a lot less stressful for me!

Good luck

Thanks, I'll try that *sigh* I don't know how grass, leaves and rocks came to be more exciting than food, but we'll just have to start from scratch.

Could be worse. It could be a six month old Great Dane I have to pull back to me

Remember that grass, leaves and rocks can have FASCINATING SMELLS on them!

I am dreading teenage dilemmas with Steff.. Loki is only 2 months older than her so when I read your posts I get a picture of my girl in a couple of months

I do however have a teenage son who lives with me but I haven't actually seen for over 2 weeks, so his recall sux too, and when I talk to him I think he finds rocks, grass and leaves more interesting than anything I am saying

I think most of us have been there at one point or another. A long line works well with Rocky as his recall is improving but with the odd lapse too. You have to make yourself the most appealing thing in the park. I'm sure you are anyway but lots of treats and praise too.

Long line is the best option I think. Suki still has this behaviour from time to time and we very rarely let her completly off lead.

Marley had great recal until he started cocking his leg. had to go right back to basics and he improved alot. he comes straight back to me first call when playing with other dogs or if he's sniffing around in bushes. I used the long line second time around and it was great as I could build up the training into places with more and more distractions gradually.
Still hes far from perfect in other situations, and I may have to create a new topic myself later for help with prey drive going to try a few things with him first this weekend see if they have any promise.

Ah, I'm the opposite; Loki comes back when he's chasing birds, or when we're walking I've managed to get him to not chase after them or pull towards them. But sniffing the ground? No way is he coming back to me

Thanks everyone for all your advice looks like he's not to be trusted off the lead for a while.

One thing that I would suggest, although you probably already do it, is to use REALLY high value treats or toys for re-call only. I use cheese or little bits of pigs ear strips for re-call training with Bis and she doesn't get it at any other time, otherwise it's not as exciting. I found hugely reducing treats during every day life helped loads with her training

I'd love to help, but i have the same problem with Kenny, it's hard work. Let me know how you get on. He's the same , sniffing about, picking up scents, totally ignores me when this happens

Rachel33 wrote:One thing that I would suggest, although you probably already do it, is to use REALLY high value treats or toys for re-call only. I use cheese or little bits of pigs ear strips for re-call training with Bis and she doesn't get it at any other time, otherwise it's not as exciting. I found hugely reducing treats during every day life helped loads with her training

Ah, that's a great idea I use chicken, hot dogs, etc. for recall, but he eats them at other times too, so that's a great suggestion, thanks. To be honest, I never saw much need for it before this. I never actually had to teach him to come back to me, he was always happy to come back when I called him. And now...now I'm second-best to a leaf

Hot dogs sliced up are great and I've found a squeaky tennis ball invaluable!

Tank is 8mths, and on occasion he will kinda phase out if he's picked up a scent, no matter how much I call him, he dosent listen. But the squeaky ball is like a magic wand, it will get his attention, then I call him and he will come.

Tbh tho he's never roamed more than 30ft from me off lead.

I read somewhere that when dogs are smelling other senses like hearing are not as sharp to increase the smell sense. Make sense- ha!

I have smiled to myself at Betsy's "selective" hearing. So rather than call when they aren't really going to pick up wait until they've moved from the blade of grass etc then call. Although going with that theory I could be there a while as boy does that blade of grass smell gooooooooooood

BetsyBoo wrote:I read somewhere that when dogs are smelling other senses like hearing are not as sharp to increase the smell sense. Make sense- ha!

I haven't read that but it does make sense. A dog's sense of smell is FAR superior to ours, and their hearing and/or eyesight is secondary.

We're fighting a battle here aren't we LOL.