Bramble ran off today!

[langcliffe]

Firstly to put your minds at rest she came back after a what seemed like an age , but was probably 3/ 4 minutes. I took her to some woodlands that we have been to once  before , but this time as soon as we went in she got very excited sniffing and circling and before i knew it had disappeared, no animals to Chase , just scent ..I had whistle and tried to stay calm .remaining where i last saw her, but have to say  i was starting to panic. She is usually so good.. never going very far away certainly remaining in sight .. and recalling quite well for treats , although she can be very distracted by rabbits... So  all very scary....once she was back, i did rewrd her, but  i put her on the lead and left the wood and walked out on the open where once again she stayed nearby... all very strange... Definitely more work needed with recall , and also any help with stopping the rabbit chasing would be gratefully received.

[DinkyDewi]

Scary! In my opinion you can't expect them to hold their attention all of the time. She may have just lost her concentration and the smells got the better of her.

I've just mentioned on another thread the use of a long line. I used/use this with my collie when he was younger and when we go to new places I feel may be more exciting. I dont hold the lead but let it drag behind, if he looks like he's going to run off I stand on it and get his attention back.

It's great for just piece of mind and also a reminder of all the training you've done to get her recall as it is. Its the best piece of equipment i've ever brought and saves a lot of worrying.

I barely use this anymore but if my boys are distractable one day the line will be attached just incase.

[langcliffe]

Thanks, you're right. We do have a long line too, but have got out of the habit of using it as Bram is 18 months and had lulled us into a false sense of security..and as you say she can just drag it behind her. Its so easy to get over confident....

[DinkyDewi]

I know that feeling. I carry it with me out walking as Fergus gets that look in his eye and I catch him before it's too late. He ran off last saturday and charged around after being perfect for the last few months! You're not on your own

[Jonnydog]

Penny's a horror for disappearing in woodland, so I just keep her on a long extending lead when we walk near woods, because she's always wanting to chase birds and can disappear if I take my eye of her for a second! In open country and on the beach she can run to her heart's content because as long as she's in sight I don't mind. She's pretty good at coming back to the whistle, but not when she's in full chase mode. I have to just wait for a moment when she's not actually chasing and the she comes back like a rocket for sausage.