A bad un

[hogdog 61]

Trust me on this one, you're the problem, not the Dog.

 

The very basics of recall is that you never, ever punish a Dog for returning to you, I shouldn't have to explain why. You've immediately created a problem that you may never be able to correct.

 

When a Dog returns to you...no matter how long it's been away or how frustrated you are you must make a fuss of it and reward it for returning. getting angry with a Dog is just going to make training it harder and more frustrating.

 

Don't get rid of it and get another Dog until you've learned how to recall because you'll probably end up doing exactly the same to the next Dog.

 

Sorry if that's a little harsh but even after you were told what you were doing wrong you're still blaming the Dog. Every Dog is different and you need to learn as you go.

[andyrose 8]

i think a lot of dogs go through this stage, i know mine did. i carried a bag of small treats and whenever he returned to me i would give him a treat, and i use to call him back reguler for no reason than to give him a treat and some fuss. I also used a whistle which worked great and even now if i shout him he sornters over, where as if i blow a whistle he'll break his neck to get to me. I bought an ' long lead which is useful but take a lot of getting used too.

I also found that like yours, he'd refuse to come back to me when we'd finished our walk. I realised i put him on the lead in the same spot, so i varried the place where i'd put him on the lead and realy went over the top with praise when i did.

I know a lot of people might laugh but i read a ceaser millan book, which found his tactics not much use for a working dog but it did help me understand what a dog thinks and i find the hardest thing to do is control your body language and to look like your the happiest man alive when your dog returns after 2 hours of chasing, when realy you feel humiliated and fit for exploding!

The most important thing is you know something is wrong and you're looking at putting it right, i think poor recall is probably the most frustraiting problem and leaves you feeling at the darkest depths of despare, but it will come right

 

good luck and stick with it atb Andy

[doug62 0]

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Edited December 28, 2010 by doug62

[dh90 6]

I went through exactly the same thing as you with my beddy grey x whippet. After trying everything said so far i eventually gave in and got an electric collar, something i realy didnt want to do at the time. However now i think its the best thing i could of done, and I would advise it to anyone in the same situation. A lot of people will disagree with me but in my opinion until it happens to you, you will never understand how frustrating it is, and it just gets harder to train it. Within about 2 weeks of gettin the collar i had the dog coming back when called % of the time. Ive had the collar a couple of months now and would say he is pretty much perfect now, still can be a bit puppyish if theres another dog but thats to be expected at his age. So in my opinion if you feel like you've tried everythin else, get an electric collar, it may feel harsh at first but in a months time when the dog off lead running about then coming back when called, its worth it.

[danw 1,748]

As much as I advocate elec collars in some circumstances in this instance it would make the situation worse the lad should not be letting the dog of a lead anywhere that he cannot 100% control the situation like in an enclosed back yard the dog clearly does not trust him and a shock from the collar will probably just send the dog running for cover and not to its owner.

I would start the bonding process again start feeding him by hand, make him a part of the family, spend lots of time, have patience and trust him should make this come right

[dh90 6]

As much as I advocate elec collars in some circumstances in this instance it would make the situation worse the lad should not be letting the dog of a lead anywhere that he cannot 100% control the situation like in an enclosed back yard the dog clearly does not trust him and a shock from the collar will probably just send the dog running for cover and not to its owner.

I would start the bonding process again start feeding him by hand, make him a part of the family, spend lots of time, have patience and trust him should make this come right

Although i can see what your saying, it depends how you use the collar. The one im using has different levels of shock, If you read the instructions and use it as stated then it shouldnt have the outcome your saying. I put it on the lowest setting that got a reaction from the dog, more of an irritant than anything else. Press it then call the dog, when he starts returning leave go. Eventually the dog will learn that coming towards you is a good thing that gets rid of the irritating feeling. And realistically this is what you are looking for, the dog to see copming back to you a good thing. Once this is working then you can start doing it on a higher level when the dog doesnt listen. However this is my first dog and my only experience with electric collars so others will be better positioned to give advise, just trying to help

[hogdog 61]

As much as I advocate elec collars in some circumstances in this instance it would make the situation worse the lad should not be letting the dog of a lead anywhere that he cannot 100% control the situation like in an enclosed back yard the dog clearly does not trust him and a shock from the collar will probably just send the dog running for cover and not to its owner.

I would start the bonding process again start feeding him by hand, make him a part of the family, spend lots of time, have patience and trust him should make this come right

Although i can see what your saying, it depends how you use the collar. The one im using has different levels of shock, If you read the instructions and use it as stated then it shouldnt have the outcome your saying. I put it on the lowest setting that got a reaction from the dog, more of an irritant than anything else. Press it then call the dog, when he starts returning leave go. Eventually the dog will learn that coming towards you is a good thing that gets rid of the irritating feeling. And realistically this is what you are looking for, the dog to see copming back to you a good thing. Once this is working then you can start doing it on a higher level when the dog doesnt listen. However this is my first dog and my only experience with electric collars so others will be better positioned to give advise, just trying to help

 

 

I agree with both of you in a way, I've got an electric collar and it's an absolutely brilliant tool when used properly but I think that in these circumstances the basics need to be correct first. Used wrongly the electric collar could make things worse, the Dog needs to understand that it's being recalled before it can be reprimanded for not doing so. I'm not sure the Dog is going to understand recall when it gets a slap for coming back.

[wuyang 513]

i think a lot of dogs go through this stage, i know mine did. i carried a bag of small treats and whenever he returned to me i would give him a treat, and i use to call him back reguler for no reason than to give him a treat and some fuss. I also used a whistle which worked great and even now if i shout him he sornters over, where as if i blow a whistle he'll break his neck to get to me. I bought an ' long lead which is useful but take a lot of getting used too.

I also found that like yours, he'd refuse to come back to me when we'd finished our walk. I realised i put him on the lead in the same spot, so i varried the place where i'd put him on the lead and realy went over the top with praise when i did.

I know a lot of people might laugh but i read a ceaser millan book, which found his tactics not much use for a working dog but it did help me understand what a dog thinks and i find the hardest thing to do is control your body language and to look like your the happiest man alive when your dog returns after 2 hours of chasing, when realy you feel humiliated and fit for exploding!

The most important thing is you know something is wrong and you're looking at putting it right, i think poor recall is probably the most frustraiting problem and leaves you feeling at the darkest depths of despare, but it will come right

 

good luck and stick with it atb Andy

 

 

Nowt wrong with ceaser millan. I wish i could read dogs like he can. I bet the book was worth its weight in gold.

[alan626 305]

Thanks for all the advice im not going to give in just yet, i know its back to basics..its just that i seem to be taking 1step forward and 3 steps back all the time with her..i personally think shes a bad un but i wont give in shes got till the end of the summer to sort er sen out. As for trying to bond with her i did have her solely in the kitchen to start with but now i have let her have the rest of the house all she wants to do is go upstairs and lie next to the bed out the way..my last dog was outside for 7years and she was fine with me..

the way u should be bonding is if ur in the sitting room she there if ur going into the kitchen bring her wit u if ur going out the back bring her wit u . i personally do all the bonding wit my dogs when out cleaning the runs out road walking during play time and during training cause i dont keep dogs in the house .she only a year old u should not have hit her pups hold gruges u have a lot of bonding to do now to make up for that best of luck mate

[KittleRox 2,147]

If you have to use an electric collar to teach a dog basic obedience you should not have a dog in the 1st place

[pegleg33 134]

Gaz,if you want i'll come out with you and give you some pointers.i know nothing about running dog's but basic training is basic training.the first thing you need to be doing is NOT letting her off the lead and free hunt.i've got a long lead here that i can lend you and an E-collar as a last resort(but if we need that i'll be using it as it can ruin a dog in the wrong hands).

[danw 1,748]

As much as I advocate elec collars in some circumstances in this instance it would make the situation worse the lad should not be letting the dog of a lead anywhere that he cannot 100% control the situation like in an enclosed back yard the dog clearly does not trust him and a shock from the collar will probably just send the dog running for cover and not to its owner.

I would start the bonding process again start feeding him by hand, make him a part of the family, spend lots of time, have patience and trust him should make this come right

Although i can see what your saying, it depends how you use the collar. The one im using has different levels of shock, If you read the instructions and use it as stated then it shouldnt have the outcome your saying. I put it on the lowest setting that got a reaction from the dog, more of an irritant than anything else. Press it then call the dog, when he starts returning leave go. Eventually the dog will learn that coming towards you is a good thing that gets rid of the irritating feeling. And realistically this is what you are looking for, the dog to see copming back to you a good thing. Once this is working then you can start doing it on a higher level when the dog doesnt listen. However this is my first dog and my only experience with electric collars so others will be better positioned to give advise, just trying to help

 

I wasn't knocking you fella e collars are good tools I have one and have used it to correct a dog I wouldn't however use it regularly or as a replacement for proper basic training they are I feel a last resort.

I just think in this instance the dog needs to bond with its owner before he worries about recall

[dh90 6]

As much as I advocate elec collars in some circumstances in this instance it would make the situation worse the lad should not be letting the dog of a lead anywhere that he cannot 100% control the situation like in an enclosed back yard the dog clearly does not trust him and a shock from the collar will probably just send the dog running for cover and not to its owner.

I would start the bonding process again start feeding him by hand, make him a part of the family, spend lots of time, have patience and trust him should make this come right

Although i can see what your saying, it depends how you use the collar. The one im using has different levels of shock, If you read the instructions and use it as stated then it shouldnt have the outcome your saying. I put it on the lowest setting that got a reaction from the dog, more of an irritant than anything else. Press it then call the dog, when he starts returning leave go. Eventually the dog will learn that coming towards you is a good thing that gets rid of the irritating feeling. And realistically this is what you are looking for, the dog to see copming back to you a good thing. Once this is working then you can start doing it on a higher level when the dog doesnt listen. However this is my first dog and my only experience with electric collars so others will be better positioned to give advise, just trying to help

 

I wasn't knocking you fella e collars are good tools I have one and have used it to correct a dog I wouldn't however use it regularly or as a replacement for proper basic training they are I feel a last resort.

I just think in this instance the dog needs to bond with its owner before he worries about recall

 

Couldnt agree more mate, E collars should be a last resort and probably posted assuming that basic training had been carried out and the dog was just taking the mick. As i said i have limited experience and admit im not the best person to be giving advice. Just giving my personal experience and wanted to explain the collars arent used as a punishment but as an aid in training

[brambo1938 9]

Got myself a big problem i have a beddiexgrey first cross i have had her from a pup she is now 1year old and to be fair she has been a nightmare from day1, very very headstrong wont listen to me one bit..I wont go into everything but the latest problem which i have probably caused is she wont come back and she pissed off the other night for nearly 2hours when she did turn up at my back door i gave her a bit of a bollocking hit her a couple of times and shook her..now i have one serious problem(wish i wouldnt have hit her but how do you teach em right from wrong)she wont come anywhere near me and wont come back to me at all a stranger got her back for me today at the end of a walk i took her on..its like the dog has just not bonded with me at all...i am really worried as i know she is going to get her self killed on the road or sumut..this is my 2nd lurcher my first one was so easy to train i didnt know i had her she was that good but this one is the total opposite..i am really at the end of my tether if anybody can give me some advice i would really appreciate it..

 

Before you get an electric collar you might want to try the "recall and bonding technique" that I have used for more years than I care to remember.This has worked for me every time on some very "difficult" dogs.

 

Train the dog indoors or in the garden if the dog lives outdoors.Do not let him off lead untill the training is complete.

 

Get a silent dog whistle and dont feed the dog for a day.Call the dog (or go to to him if he wont come to you)go "peep -peep" on the whistle and give the dog a 1cm.square cube of lamb or chicken.Then ignore the dog and take a walk round the garden- he will follow, begging for more food. Distract him with a toy or go into another room untill he settles down again .

 

Wait half an hour and repeat - remember it goes command,reward distract.By the third or fourth time the dog will come to the whistle( if not repeat till he does).

 

DO NOT PRAISE OR FONDLE THE DOG AT THIS STAGE. If he's pissed off with you he wont want your affection just yet-it will be a "turn off " and will slow his training.

 

Repeat every half hour or so for the first day.On the second day(and following days) feed him half his meal( "peep-peep") first) and repeat -command,reward distract at least six times.

 

By the 4th or 5th day he will most likely see you as "the man " and accept your praise .Go gently at first-a quiet "good dog "and a gentle scratch behind the ears.If he accepts it gradually increase your praise and cuddles.If he grows stiff at your touch wait 3 days and try again. He will come round eventually if you do it right. Patience,

patience, patience.

 

 

Hope this works for you -it always has for me.Good luck.

 

 

B

[oneforthepot 6]

Just want to say a big thankyou to everybody who has replied to my post, i have started with the basics today bonding with her playing with toys etc...hopefully in due course i can get her back on my side fingers crossed..think the rabbits are going to have to wait till next season