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Recall - Part One...
We've all been there. Fluffy has been to training school and shown how clever and obedient she is. The recall was particularly good and now, walking along the edge of the field, you are finding it difficult not to feel a little smug. In the distance she spots two figures and she realises that they are none other than Leonberger DiCaprio and Johnny Deppoodle.
You hardly see her for dust as she zooms toowards them at a rate of knots."Fluffy come!" you call. "Fluffeeeee! Come!!!" you shout. "FLUFFY COME!!!" you scream. "FLUFFY *$%£*&^ COME HERE YOU LITTLE &^%$£$%^". Nothing. She is cavorting around with her chums and is oblivious to your protestations.
Here's Why -
The training class provides a controlled environment with few distractions. To a sociable Doodle, other dogs or people are the biggest distractions available. The key is to add difficulties in measured amounts and build her recall skills step by step. She won't be able to deal with degree level recall until she has done her GCSEs.
It may be necessary to keep her on a lunge line for a while to stop her "flying" off and hurling herself at all and sundry. You can always set her free when she sees familiar dogs that you know will not mind her doodleish charms.
She will become good at whatever she practises and if that happens to be throwing herself at old ladies, then that will become her area of expertise.
There's not much chance that you will be able to stop her running off towards Leo and Johnny unless she has been "proofed" in different situations and with increasing levels of difficulty. Start in the garden with few distractions and then go to a field or park when you know that it will be quiet. When she has mastered that, try when there are other dogs at a distance but you know that you can still keep her attention.
Unless you intend to compete at Crufts, there is no law that says that you have to stand still, facing your dog as you call her back, so make it fun and run away from her, squeaking toys,waving your arms and generally attracting sniggers from passers by. When she arrives back, be really animated and leave her in no doubt about how pleased you are.
OTHER TIPS
Take her favourite toy on walks, play with her when you call her back but then put it out of sight.Keep control of this highly prized resource. Always leave her wanting more and only use it for recall.
Only call her once. If you keep shouting,you will teach her to ignore you. Never reprimand , just reduce the criteria next time and set her up for success.
If you ever see the real Leonardo DiCaprio or Johnny Depp standing in a field, let me know.
Recall - Part Two...
If you have children, then playing hide and seek helps with recall. (Big kids can play too!) Unlike normal hide and seek, the hider should call her to find him.
It helps to be able to grab her attention in any situation, even when she is excited, so if she knows a sit or a down, (down is best) then try this game - Put her in a "down" and then release her with an "O.K!" or similar release word and reward her by playing in an excited way with a ragger or squeaky toy. When she is really wound up, stand still, ignore any jumping or other demands for attention and wait until she is calm enough to obey your request to lie down again. Release her immediately and play with her again. Make sure that the play is really animated and exciting.
Before long, the time taken to go from excited to calm will be very short and she will throw herself on the floor as soon as you say "down".
Start in the sitting room but then practise outside and in the park. Once you have found the "off switch" it will be much easier to gain her attention in distracting circumstances.
When out lead walking, teach her how to slow down and speed up. Run with her and then slow down to a slow walk. (You will need good loose lead walking for this) Throughout the walk, run or walk fast and then very slowly. As she slows, bring in the word "steady".
Once she is speeding up and slowing down on command, try it off the lead. When she is good at that, get someone else to call her (but not in an excited way). As she runs towards them, shout "steady!" to slow her down. The ultimate test will be when you can slow her down as she runs towards another dog.
Another technique that can help to stop her cannonballing off after every dog that she sees, is to teach her to "ask permission" to go and see her friends. Have her on a long line and when she spots a dog, call her back and treat her. She will look again. Attract her attention and treat again. Do this several times and then if it is safe to let her play with the dog, release her and let her play.
The idea of this exercise is to gradually build up until until she spots a dog and instead of rushing over to it, she automatically comes back to you for a treat first.
" Asking permission" in this way will stop her from getting into all kinds of trouble. If she comes to you and you are unsure of the other dog, you can slip her lead on and avoid the situation.
CALLING AWAY FROM OTHER DOGS
If you have a friend with another playful dog, they will love this exercise-
Release both dogs and walk away leaving your friend to supervise the dogs. When you have gone a short distance, signal to your friend to take hold of her dog (stopping the game). Call your dog enthusiastically and treat her when she comes back.
Take the collar of your dog and wait for your friend to run over with her dog. Release both dogs and let them play again. Dogs love to play this game. Apart from the fact that they are being rewarded with a play session, most dogs love running with their owners.
WHISTLE RECALL
A whistle can be really useful for calling in from a distance. The best kind of whistle is a gundog whistle ( not a silent one).
For about a week, prepare her food as normal, put the food on the floor, ask her to wait and then blow the whistle as a signal that she may eat her food.
In the second week, show her the bowl of food but get someone else to take her out of the room . Blow the whistle and she should come rushing to you. Put her food on the floor and let her eat without waiting.
The next step is to try different locations and greater distances. (different rooms , the garden etc.).
Copyright 2007-2008 Labradoodle Rescue UK. All Rights Reserved
  
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