Your thoughts/advice and have we done/are we doing things wrong?

Hi, our boy Milo came from rescue at approx. 4 months so we had to wait a month I think it was until his jabs. were done before we took him out. Once we had the thumbs up we walked him every day (only a handful of days missed up to date) on a lead. He took to it so well. Training was the same he can obviously sit! He can also laydown on command, stay, eat on command, give us his paws etc. He is now 8 1/2 months old and able to heel alongside us better than on the lead (!) he does pull on the lead but we went over to a tightening lead-not collar which has really helped (not sure of the correct name-slip lead is it?!)

We have socialised him from the start and let him play with any dog we come accross as long as a) the other owners are happy and b) we have the time He is great at stay and is very good at recall, however if I don't see another dog or person ahead in time I can't always guarantee control of him which I don't want for many reasons. I always keep him close by but yes he does run ahead a bit or he runs behind or into the undergrowth etc we walk along many different types of walk ie woodland paths, open field, heathlands canal paths etc. I make myself sound like the plum to get him back if I do lose control and walk in the opposite direction. He usually just runs up to the person or dog and says hello followed by running a loop round them and tearing up to me and continuing on our walk. The thing is this isn't what I want to be happening I look out of control and risk criticism (if I don't manage to keep him with me) he might run and frighten another dog/owner no matter how friendly he is, the other dog might not take kindly to the friendly nutter! etc etc and I don't know how to stop it. We have socialised him so much maybe he thinks he can just go play with anyone now and that everyone is a potential play mate Just recently he made a new play friend, a 1 year old labradoodle who never even went in water (Milo goes in ever drop of water possible!!) yet they spent literally 20 minutes playing in a dam after he had enticed her in

Help what can I do? I whistle him and call in that high pitch voice which he is receptive to which is why I've not wanted to use treats but maybe I should to gain maximum response, what do you think? He's fed barf btw so what would I even use as a treat? Thanks in advance everyone x

I wouldn't use a slip lead on walks, they should really only be used for either training or showing. An ordinary collar is a must (by law) anyway, with an identity tag securely attached.

If I were you I'd invest in a long line, and teach not only the recall (over & over again!) but the "Stay".

My Dempsey used to be a complete pain in the a*se when there were other dogs around - he completely 'forgot' what the word "Come" meant! So I taught him "Stay". Now, if there's another dog anywhere near I yell stay & he does.

Hi sorry I think I was unclear in my previous Caryll he always does have a collar on when we aren't at home, plus he's microchipped too. I use the slip lead thingie because we mainly either have a 5/10 minute walk locally to one of 2 woods or go out in the car and have similar or less walking time as he is mainly walked off of the lead rather than a choke collar and lead. He doesn't pull as much plus it's so easy to slip on and off. I put him back on it randomly and make him walk to heel randomly and give him the command 'walk on' to let him know when he can run free again - I'm a horsey gal hence 'walk on' command lol!! I also ask him to wait when he is ahead and make him stay when we walk off which he does it's really down to his keen to meet and greet I need ton conquer will it come with time or is the long line key to this do you think? What are your thoughts on introducing treats as a reward for returning? Like I say if I catch him in time and get him under control things work ok

I would think a long lead would be ideal. That way he is free to roam about but you still are able to get control back in the event he isn't listening.

my hubby made one of these for billy put of some blue plastic rope, its really light but very thick and strong, does not look too good but what the heck

We got Rocky from a rescue centre about 9 months ago. His recall was not brilliant so we decided that a training lead would probably be best. We have a 10 metre line and a 5 metre line. Sometimes we attached them both together this way he can have a good rummage around when on long walks in the woods whilst us still being in control.

We are always working on his recall whilst being kept on the long lead and other training too, sit, stay etc. The lead gives us peace of mind. He does get to have a free run, so long as there is no one else around.

Rocky did not get much training with his previous owners which is why it is taking us so long with him I guess.

Give lots of praise when he comes back and a small treat. I hope my endless ramblings help a little. Keep at it. Good luck.

ardvark wrote: will it come with time or is the long line key to this do you think? What are your thoughts on introducing treats as a reward for returning? Like I say if I catch him in time and get him under control things work ok

I think a long line would be good for now. Although he'll calm down as he gets older and his need to greet enthusiastically may reduce, if you don't get that instant recall NOW, you won't get it later on! Much easier now, while he's still in 'learning' mode.

No problem with using treats as long as you take them into account when you feed. More treats, less food if you see what I mean. Some dogs will work for treats wherever they are, others will work for them indoors, but not outside. Give it a try & see if he responds.

I think a long line is a good idea - that way you can make sure he doesn't get any more rewards from running away from you (meeting the other dog/person).

A dog will always do what is the most rewarding (and so do we, for that matter) so what you need to do is make sure the dogs sees coming to you as more fun (rewarding) than going to see a stranger. You can do that in many ways and treats are one thing that can help. In my experience staffies are usually easy to play with, so a tug toy in your pocked can also be a great reward for a quick recall. Get your friends and family involved so you can do restrained recalls (one person to hold the dog so he gets the sensation of really pulling to get to you before being allowed to come to you) and recalls with other people being (possible) distractions. Search for "recall games" on youtube and you should get some good ideas for ways to make recall into a fun game for both/all of you.