Terrible Recall

[DennyK]

Thanks for the detail: I'll try it out some more, as I know it's more me than the clicker, as ever!

[Mich]

     Bailey was terrible today!!  He was just not interested in the squeaky ball at all!  All he could see were birds, birds and more birds! He spent nearly a whole hour on a short lead, as he just kept running off!  He would pretend to be interested in the ball , run up to it (so we gave him some slack on the lead) and then turn off into the bushes!!! Me thinks he is a clever doggie!

I think we were down to about 10% recall today  

Oh well there is always tomorrow, I guess you have some good and bad days!!

[Angus]

Your problem is similar to mine. I have a working cocker bitch (Jess) she is 7months old and I have had her for only 6 weeks, very headstrong and just wants to run.

I am using/reading  Training Spaniels by Joe Irving.
This book was reccomended by the gamekeeper that bred her and to date progress has been slow but steady, 2steps forward one step back.
He also said that the drop to signal is the one to get , without it the rest is useless.
I would give this book a try.

All the best. Angus.

[Top Barks]

     Bailey was terrible today!!  He was just not interested in the squeaky ball at all!  All he could see were birds, birds and more birds! He spent nearly a whole hour on a short lead, as he just kept running off!  He would pretend to be interested in the ball , run up to it (so we gave him some slack on the lead) and then turn off into the bushes!!! Me thinks he is a clever doggie!

I think we were down to about 10% recall today  

Oh well there is always tomorrow, I guess you have some good and bad days!!

So true Miche, Bayley was 100% on a whistle yesterday, unfortunately this did not generalise to today when he was about 50%.
When he comes to you what are you doing as a reward?
These things take time and I we shouldn't let our dog off without a cast iron recall but after a good experience it is so difficult to stop yourself.
With Bayley at least patience is going to be the key and making sure that I do not set my self up to fail as I did today which annoyed me as I should know better.
If he's not interested in the ball you have to find something he is interested in, Any Ideas?
Could you use a really long tracking line with him?
Mark

[Top Barks]

Miche, Could I reccomend you get hold of a DVD called the realy reliable recall by an american trainer Lesley Nelson.
Her Method improved Ollies recall 100% and I was quite taken with it and use it now on all my dogs.
It does take time and effort but has been worth it. Below is one review I found to add to my own recomendation.

I am a professional trainer and I use Leslie's reliable recall technique with great success. I train all breeds including the indepedent breeds. I live in an area with miles of trails in open space where dogs are allowed off leash if under voice control. I have a number of clients who can NOW take their dogs in the open space, and allow their dogs to enjoy the freedom to be off leash. I am so happy Leslie now has a DVD geared for my clients. It is professionally done, and clear to understand, repeating over and over the important bullets to getting a reliable recall. I recommend my clients buy the DVD along with taking my reliable recall class.

 You can find this dvd here. http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB810

[silkstocking]

Well I have seen Bailey dog in action today, he really is bird OBSESSED I cannot believe 1. how far away he spots them and 2. how high they are flying when he spots them, it truly amazed me!

Mich has every technique under the sun for bringing him back, but I can truly see why she has found it so difficult, I thought that when I called my dogs in he would just follow because he'd think they were getting something he wasn't but he wasn't bothered in the slightest, when there are birds to be had thats what he wants!

Mich hun I think you are doing a fab job with Bailey and his obsession, keep up the hard work darlin' and you'll get there in the end     

[Top Barks]

Miche, I hope you don't mind but I have crossposted your problem to college and  some behaviourists I know.
Hopefully they may be able to help with some alternatives.
Mark
here is what my tutor said about the advice given to you by the trainer you had round
Sounds like the trainer is in to 'pack theory' Poor dog

My view is the more that she interacts with the dog at home (cuddles games etc) then the more the dog will want to be with her. She will need to be playing with toys with him at home as well as out on walsk as that will build the toy obsession much quicker.I would suggest teaching a specific recall cue (whistle etc) that is only used for these emergency situations (not an everyday recall) and that the dog is conditioned first in the house. There is info on how to do this on the clicker solutions home page. I would also teach a chase recall.

Sorry but to me the trainer sounds very out dated in his appraoch. I guess he is a gundog trainer?[/font]