This happened with Max, my golden retriever. It was terrifying.
His recall has always been pretty rubbish. Someone hadn't shut the gate properly although from a distance I couldn't tell. I couldn't go after him as I wasn't in my wheelchair, I was on my crutches. I was yelling "Max Come" at the top of my voice. He ran round to the corner out of sight, then he turned came back but went past my house, fortunately just a short distance before turning again and running back in the drive. My heart was in my mouth.
Shortly after this someone told me this method, using a dog whistle.
Day 1 to 5 - with the dog next to you blow the whistle and reward the dog. Use a really high value treat that you will only use as a reward to responding to the whistle. Do this four or five times at a time. Repeat 3 times a day.
Day 6 - Blow the whistle while the dog is in the same room as you but not next to you. When he comes reward with the high value treat. Do this 3 or 4 times that day.
Day 7 - When the dog is in a different room blow the whistle and reward when he comes. Repeat 3 or 4 times that day.
Day 8 - Out in the garden. When the dogs focus is not on you, blow the whistle when he comes reward. Repeat 3 or 4 times.
Then use it out and about. If the dog ever fails to respond to the whistle go back to day 1.
I did this with Max and it has never failed. Even when he's playing with he pals at Junior Club, where my voice command would fail the whistle doesn't. It seems to be able to break into his concentration.
I passed this method on to someone else who's Ridgeback's recall was as bad as Max's. She too has had success and her dog has never failed to return. For the couple of quid a whistle costs its certainly worth a try! Good luck. Let me know if it does the trick!
