Machiavelli 0 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 Ok folks, I have a Jack Russell puppy -- about 7 months old -- who refuses to come back when let off the lead. He is obedient in the house and when there are no other distractions; however, as soon as he is let of the lead he just goes mad. He will run off and play with other dogs and will completely ignore all attempts to call him to heel. I have attempted to train him by calling his name in the back garden and then treating him when he returns, but this does not seem to have any impact when he is out and about. Could anyone advise me on any training methods/techniques that will help me get his recall up to scratch. When I say his name I want him on my feet! Any help would be much appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kingoftoosh 15 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 Hi mate. I am no expert, but when training my 7 month old Patterdale on his recall I would call him while waving my arms and doing funny voices, I looked like a tool but it got his attention . When he did come back I would sometimes give him a treat and other times let him have a rag on his rope . If he ignored me i would walk away in the other direction and reward him and make a fuss when he came running back to me. Try to be more appealing than whatever else the dog is doing. I can now use a whistle or sometimes hand signals to get my dog to heel. I am learning and so is the dog. I took a lot of tips off THl and they are working for me. atb kingoftoosh Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Panna 68 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 Hi, Some videos of Victoria Steelwell may help you. She is a good trainer and has good tips. I would stratr training with the dogie at a place where there are not many interesting things. For example in your garten. If the "pup" comes back, give it some treat, little foog, play with him for like 3-5 seconds and let it go immidiately! Let it learn that coming back to you is a good thing and not neccessairly means that he will be caught and put on lead, or something (other) boring thing. Reading the book of Jan Fennell "The Dog Listener - Learning the language of your best friend" is also very helpful. Is sheows how how to gain respect from your dog with little tricks, so that it will understand that you are the Alpha and you will say what to do. (Without hiting the dog.) The book isn't really expensive or wide and the videos of Victoria (I guess quite some of them are available on Youtube) are also useful at this stage. But I would not really expect from a terrier to come back when meeting an animal (other than dog). Hope it helps. ATB, Anna Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waidmann 105 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 if he is otherwise obiedient i would try him on the long lead.he knows his name and its just the must do that is failing. don't forget he is only a pup,keep it fun and interesting. try moving away from him when you call( a few paces backwards when you have his attention). mine is very interested in other dogs and kids( teething too) so i have to watch him like a hawk. ifhe starts showing interest in other things i try to get him before he starts to move off, if i dont think it will work i wont call but walk away at an angle and play with his ball( fur,rope )on my own while squealing with glee. never fails to get the sucker good luck and have fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Machiavelli 0 Posted October 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 Great advice folks, I'm off to a quiet park now to give it all a try! He is a fantastic little chap; I have honestly never met a friendlier dog. I started training him at 8 weeks and he made it look ridiculously easy. He was doing everything well within a week, it is just recall that has been a sticking point. For example, yesterday I'm in quite a busy park and he sees another group of dogs playing . . . whooosh, gone. I tried walking away, but he didn't follow. I'm going to take his squeaky chicken today: make a racket and hope that works. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Panna 68 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 (edited) Beware! He may soon learn what you use his squeaky chicken for! As soon as he'll understand that it's a sign of "getting caught" and going home, he'll stop being interested in it - when it's in YOUR hand. If you want to keep his intension to come back to you whenever you want, you'll need more than just a squeaky toy. You need to make order in your relationship (with him I mean) and make him feel that coming to you is a good thing! ATB, Anna Edited October 30, 2009 by Panna Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Panna 68 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 Very important to make him understand what you want! If you call him, call him only 2, but maximum 3 times, not more! (Otherwise he will get used to you shouting his name, or calling him for minutes and nothing has to happen). And when calling him and expecting him to go to you, don't start to go towards him while calling his name!! It will mean to him that the order "come!" (or "here!") means that you go and (try to) collect him. Many make the mistakes by not teaching the dog exactly what they want by saying "come!" (or "here!"). In case you punish him for not coming, make yourself a "bewaring sign" showing that you are angry and the punishment is coming right after it (in case he doesn't come). I'm not the fan of punishments though. But when you punish him, give him another try to correct and say him "good boy!" when he done it correctly. Just my 5 Cents. Hope it helps! ATB, Anna Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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