Labrador bolting help

[wizards-sleeve 0]

Hi

I was hoping someone could give me some help with my 12 month old lab he's doing really well in most aspects of his training and his re-call is good with both the whistle and voice commands the only problem is once in a while he will bolt after another dog/scent or other simular distraction and once he goes he completely ignores the whistle and just completely ignores me too.

It doesnt happen very often so it is tricker to train him out of it and once he returns he knows he's done wrong any ideas/help would be much appreciated!!

[wyeman 1,177]

Labs can be late in maturing and your pup sounds like he is still a pup and it would be quite wrong to crack down too hard on him, let him grow up. Some Labs haven't fully matured at 2 years, so be careful about giving commands or blowing your whistle when you know perfectly well, the pup will not obey you in a month of Sundays, because of the presence of another dog/distraction. Once he is mature I would arrange scenarios on a number of different areas of ground where you can introduce distractions and be in a position to stop the dog and deal with him. BUT ONLY ONCE you have engrained the stop and recall whistle.

 

Try and find a local trainer with a rabbit pen - this facility can be very useful.

[wizards-sleeve 0]

Thanks wyeman thats kind of what i hoped, it was more weather i needed to jump on the problem so it wasnt too ingrained in him for later training.I go to blyth gundog club with him and hes doing really well in all other aspects of his training its just this little issue that causes me grief every now and then, ill take on board not trying to call him back with the whistle when he goes that makes sense theres no point whistling if hes already f***** off.

Hes my first dog and i was hoping i could relax a bit on this point and not get too stressed about it and hopefully it will just iron itself out in time.

cheers for the advice

[Rhodey 96]

If he doesn't stop or come back when you call him, then go off after him grab him and drag him back to the spot were you told him to stop and bollock him. Let the dog know he can't get away ignoring you. No point in bollockin the dog when he finally comes back to you.

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

Last thing to do is let him get away with it, You should seek out just the things that trigger his attention loss, and at first use a long check lead. Do your normal routine and when he decides to make a run for it, he wont get far, a quick yank on long lead should re-direct him away from the distraction, then blow the stop or recall straight away. Keep at it

[wizards-sleeve 0]

Thanks for the advice it's appreciated