recall help - Page 1

My dog does excellent on the recall when we are doing obediance training. I can put her in a sit or down and walk away 50 yds and when called she will come full speed and sit in position.

The problem is when we are doing SAR training, other dogs are around, or if she's swimming she ignores me completely without the use of an ecollar.  

it has been suggested that I keep an e-collar on her 24/7 or as much as possible. Make the e-collar part of her everyday life so she never gets the opportunity to ignore the recall command.

The dog needs to understand that the recall command means stop what ever you are doing and return to you at full speed.  There is no grey area, the dog flies to you at top speed no matter what is going on.  The recall and down command are two very serious commands.  Once taught and the dog understands these commands you must be able to enforce them quickly and firmly every time the command is given.  Never repeat the recall command or the dog will learn that the command is "here, here, here." 

I have two recall commands; "come" and "here".  Come means simply come here.  That command is used in the house and outside when I simply want the dog to return to me.  The "here" command is only used outside for the recall or in large buildings when doing building searches.  I am the only one that tells my dogs "here."  My wife does not use the "here" command or the "platz" command with our dogs.  For my dogs, "Here" means to recall to me at top speed, drop everything you are doing, sniffing, chasing etc and race straight back to me.  That is why that command is never used in the house and is used sparingly.  I am prepared to instantly correct my dog if needed and I will correct if the dog is not responding and starting to return with in 1 second. 

I teach my dogs from 7 week old puppies that "Here" is a speed command and fun.  The foundation is done with the 2 ball game and the command is only given when the dog is at full speed returning to me.  The dog quickly associates a full speed run straight to me with that command.  basically, I pair running full speed to me with the "here" command when I first started training it.  Then I reinforce under distractions later, until it is extremely reliable.

Jim

Jim what are some of the ways you corrected the dog to reinforce the command. I have a similiar recal command with her. My "Come" command is the come full speed and sit. My whistle is the come near me a lot more casual.

Long line then E collar.  I have a fair amount of experience with the E collar and it needs to be used appropriately.  It is a very good tool and it took me years to really understand the proper application and finesse behind it. 

If you have ever told the dog to "come" and the dog ignored and you repeated the command over and over you may need to change the command.  The command can only be given once, then you either reward or correct.  If you can not correct and the dog doesn't respond you have a problem.  If you think there is a possibility the dog will not recall, do not give the command.  If you have no way to correct the dog and the dog is not 99% reliable do not give the command a second time. 

Jim

Thanks for the info Jim

My girl is 9 months. She knows the "here" command but does choose not to listen when she gets out. There is a dog next door that runs the fence and she takes off and i have to physically get her. I give the command once. Sometimes she comes, sometimes I have to get her. She is a little  "soft, skittish, weak nerved," I'm not sure which term is accurate anymore, but she does not take correction well.  How would you guys recommend correcting this? I'm afraid to put an e collar on her. She is young and it doesn't take much correction for her. I am new to training and schutzhund. The only time this is an issue is when she "escapes" unintentionally. Her prong collar is not on when this happens. Help? Any suggestions would be helpful! James....sorry for butting in on your post, but I am in desperate need of the same type information!!!!! 

slamdunc.....

I saw your aggitation post and my girl must be similar to the dog you work with on Sat. that you referred to as "soft". How would you correct failure to recall on a dog like that? I feel like I am walking on eggshells with her for fear that I will mess her training up!!!

JIm,