recall not happening

[Top Barks]

Hardly an unusual post this is. I had exactly the same problem with Harry at various stages, he's now 16 months and I reckon hes 80-85% there, but some people comment on how good he is at recall, but I guess I am a hard task master. I've seen cockers at 100% recall and believe me its impressive.

When Harry was at his most disruptive, I used a long piece of cord, tied to his collar, much better than a training line imo, and that worked a treat. If he didn't want to come i'd merely stand on it. With a training line Cockers soon learn that they're on one and hey presto you think they're coming back.

Tell me, would you use your cord attached to the collar to stop a dog running away?
What difference is a cord to a light webbing line? Why better? Did you try a line?
Maybe I'm missing something here?
Personally wouldn't be happy at an 85% recall but then I am a professional dog trainer.
And yes it is impressive to have a 100% recall certainly is with my dogs anyway 

[jonnytrabant]

Hardly an unusual post this is. I had exactly the same problem with Harry at various stages, he's now 16 months and I reckon hes 80-85% there, but some people comment on how good he is at recall, but I guess I am a hard task master. I've seen cockers at 100% recall and believe me its impressive.

When Harry was at his most disruptive, I used a long piece of cord, tied to his collar, much better than a training line imo, and that worked a treat. If he didn't want to come i'd merely stand on it. With a training line Cockers soon learn that they're on one and hey presto you think they're coming back.

Tell me, would you use your cord attached to the collar to stop a dog running away?
What difference is a cord to a light webbing line? Why better? Did you try a line?
Maybe I'm missing something here?
Personally wouldn't be happy at an 85% recall but then I am a professional dog trainer.
And yes it is impressive to have a 100% recall certainly is with my dogs anyway 

I'll try and answer you questions chronologically.

1:I used cord, as the training line wasn't working, Harry soon learned that he was on a training line, where as the cord being a lot lighter and trailed on the ground Harry didn't realise so when he wouldn't recall I could easily stand on it. Also I never said I used cord to stop my/a dog running away.

2:I have absolutely no idea what the difference is between a cord and "a light webbing line" maybe you can enlighten me?

3: See number 1.

4:See number 1.

5: I certainly think so.

I never said I was happy at 85% recall, I merely said other people whilst walking commented on how good Harry's recall was. But then again, I am not "a professional"

[Top Barks]

Glad you never used your cord while the dog was running away as this could do damage to your dog. I always try to work using a harness when using a line or in your case a cord so that if I do need to stop a dog running away I am in no way jerking its neck.
I'm not exactly sure what your cord is made of, but in my experience light cord can burn hands whereas a webbing line is much softer.
Hope that answers your question.

[jonnytrabant]

Glad you never used your cord while the dog was running away as this could do damage to your dog. I always try to work using a harness when using a line or in your case a cord so that if I do need to stop a dog running away I am in no way jerking its neck.
I'm not exactly sure what your cord is made of, but in my experience light cord can burn hands whereas a webbing line is much softer.
Hope that answers your question.

Indeed, now I am enlightened in the wonderful world of the webbing line. Thanks for explaining the differences between cord and a webbing line.

[Top Barks]

I'm so ecstatic  you are enlightened, just to add thin cords can also wind round legs and do damage that way but I'm sure you alteady knew that before suggesting one to the good folk of this forum.
Im glad your recall is so admired but I'm sure that's down to being the taskmaster you claim:)

[Archie bean]

I used the Top Barks recall sticky and have to say that because of it Archie is the first of my cockers with a really good recall. I wouldnt claim it's 100% as he can be a right little  when he sees one of his doggy friends across a field. I pre-empt game chasing by putting him on the lead when I see anything I think he might chase. One thing I have found really effective is that I treat him EVERY time I put his lead on. I.e. at home before we set off as well as at the end of his walks I ask him to sit for his lead and he gets a reward. This means that he only has to see my hand go I to my pocket for his lead and he will run back and sit in front of me. My last cocker did the complete opposite. Lead = end of walk so bog off away from Mum! Archie clearly sees the lead as a good thing not bad. I also practice recalls at various points throughout our walks just to reinforce it and keep him on his toes.

[Top Barks]

I'm also interested in how you standing on your thin cord helped with your recall?
Was it just to prevent your dog going to far? If so did he never run to the end of it?

[JeffD]

I have used a trailing line when teaching the pup to stay within distance when quartering and this does help and to steady the dog to dummies.

I don't see how I would use a trailing line for teaching  recall, Teal is pretty much 100% on recall as I never blow the recall whistle unless I am sure she will come back, yesterday she chased a rabbit so I did nothing until I was sure the rabbit had reached safety I then blew recall she returned no problem with a bloody great grin on her face.

Note to self Time to book some sessions in a pen.

[Top Barks]

Good work Jeff
Recall lines are a great insurance so you know that your recall will work as I say if you can't put your house on your dog coming back don't blow your whistle.
They are however cumbersome and best used in wide open areas but for some dogs it is a way of starting the dog on its way to ensure the recall whistle works.

[jonnytrabant]

I'm so ecstatic  you are enlightened, just to add thin cords can also wind round legs and do damage that way but I'm sure you alteady knew that before suggesting one to the good folk of this forum.
Im glad your recall is so admired but I'm sure that's down to being the taskmaster you claim:)

Sarcasm at its worst.

[jonnytrabant]

Dont ever tell your dog off if he comes back to you even if it's not first time. Instead, tell yourself off for calling him when there was a chance you would fail.
Hope that makes sense.

Nope, makes absolutely no sense to me.

[woollypigs]

It makes a sense to me, and is a logical method we're using with much success. Setting our dog up for success during the learning process by calling her when we're sure she will return = positive experience for dog (and for us) and an experience she will want to repeat. Recalling her when we know she is not likely to return is teaching her to ignore us.

She's now recalling well with few distractions so we are gradually increasing the criteria by recalling her in areas with more distractions. Eventually, with lots of patience, she will have a good recall in all circumstances.

[HBP]

Dont ever tell your dog off if he comes back to you even if it's not first time. Instead, tell yourself off for calling him when there was a chance you would fail.
Hope that makes sense.

Nope, makes absolutely no sense to me.

Of course it makes sense. You spend weeks/ months teaching the puppy that being around you is where they should be and that being with you is a good rewarding thing! Why would you then contradict this by appearing to be telling them off for coming to you (even if though you're actually telling them off for not coming fast enough/ the first time you shouted them) ?

[Top Barks]

Believe me  there's plenty that do it

[Top Barks]

I'm so ecstatic  you are enlightened, just to add thin cords can also wind round legs and do damage that way but I'm sure you alteady knew that before suggesting one to the good folk of this forum.
Im glad your recall is so admired but I'm sure that's down to being the taskmaster you claim:)

Sarcasm at its worst.

Just replying in the same manner as you