Arrrrh!!!! Recall problems!

[Louise Perry]

Hello and I know this aspect of training is discussed frequently but I just wanted some advice please.

Reuben is 13 months old and I know is in the midst of adolescence and therefore 2 steps forward and 1 back etc but would like some advice/reassurance from those owners who have conquered the recall problems.

Basically Reuben has had quite good recall though some days we have had bad times when he has totally ignored the whistle on at least one occassion. Yesterday and today he ignored me on at least one time which is mainly because of another dog or people distraction. I have got him back eventually (within a few minutes or so) but do not want him to think this is acceptable behaviour.

So the question is, do I put him back on a long trailing line now until he is 100% reliable? And obviously I need to use this line around other dogs etc for it to really sink in and just have to suffer the nightmare of possible tangles and tripping up etc.

For those owners who have reliable recall, did it get easier with age?

When he does not listen I do try and make myself really interesting and look like a looney etc and even shouted ahead to some people today that they were not to touch/pat him at all as I was training and I actually think they thought I was very rude. Now I am not bothered particulary about what other people think as I am willing to do whatever is necessary and welcome any suggestions/help please.

Thank you

P.s I do use lovely treats etc for recall and am not stressed but just eager to get it right.

[Sue and Cash]

As a novice here and not by any means a trainer I feel that even though it took him a few minutes, he did come back. That is great to me. As long as he is in a safe place. I know if it were a street setting then it would be horrific. But you wouldn't of had him loose in the first place. For a young dog the distractions are everywhere. He did come back, slower than you want but he did. Some dogs don't. So I guess I feel this is good. Cash wandered off yesterday with a new young pup he met. She was smitten with him and him with her. They just walked off together and the other owner and I were surprised because neither of our dogs usually do that. I gave him a few minutes to see how far they would go. As soon as I yelled his name he left her behind and ran like the wind to my side. I wasn't upset he wandered, but rather pleased he came when told. I realised he just had a momentary distraction, and an adorable one at that, and he snapped back to reality when I called. That is part of the charm of the breed to me. Some like strict obedience, I am more the layed back type that is just thrilled if the dog responds 80% of the time. And again as long as the situation is SAFE.

[Ilona & Gina]

Yes, it gets better with age, but it means patience and consistency. Meanwhile you may feel like a broken record - always training the same - but don't despair. It will kick in. In my experience, patience and consistency will eventually bear fruit after two years.

We did the same as you: Played the clown to make ourselves interesting, give him treats (and did he care? NO). What works perfectly fine with Gina, didn't always work with her brother.

While our girl Gina has always been 99.9 per cent reliable on recall, we had more problems with our boy Anton. So bad that he wasn't even interested in treats. And of course, we were nervous, because people said "Typical Irish setter" - and some people were really rude.

Anton and Gina are now 2 years old and Anton sort of grew out of being carried away. He still has his spells of selective deafness, and we know where his limits are, can anticipate his behaviour and stop him from going astray.


What worked with him was to go to places he knew. These places were sooooo boring that he came back on recall, because there was nothing else to do! Then, bit by bit, we tried more exciting places such as the beach (didn't always work out, as he loves to swim, and he means business). So back to the boring places. We used the same places with the same boring old dogs. Same boring old smells. Every morning and every evening. Then tried again. And again. The result: He's not perfect, but he improved heaps. I think it's a matter of desensitizing his distraction threshold. You will prevail!

[Sue and Cash]

That was what I was trying to get at Finn. Depending on how long you have worked on this command, and the age of the dog, isn't coming back always to be a good thing? Only because some dogs that have no recall or barely any, the fact your dog does decide he must come back after ignoring it for a few minutes should be rewarded in my opinion or how else will he learn that is what you wanted. Younger dogs are so much more distracted because it seems everything in a young IS life is so new and exciting. I have even noticed already that Cash isn't as bird crazy as he was before. Just a few months ago I couldn't compete with birds in the field. He went into this odd zone and would take off without me. A few times he lost me on the trail when he tried to come back to me and went into a panic running all over looking for me. He keeps much better track of where I am now rather than me having to keep track of him. I have the water and the treats! The birds don't. He seemed to figure that out quickly. Not sure if it is right, but I still reward him for the return even if it isn't on the first call. And many times I do not use treats at all. I just tell him good boy and pat him and send him back off to play. And I am most likely to call him back when he is having the most fun. I love that moment where he hesitates and tries to ignore it, but gives in with what looks like a sigh....probably thinking "oh what does she want now".

[Sue and Cash]

LOL Sue! That hiding thing works! That is why Cash doesn't wander off much anymore because he lost me twice and from what others tell me he was in a full blown panic running through the trails trying to find me. Which isn't easy when it is so large and it is so HOT outside. He learned the hard way to watch where I am and stay close. I knew when he wandered off the other day he must have made a new friend. I gave him a few minutes then called him back and he came with her running behind him. I have others issues I am working on, and recall isn't one of them YET! I know they can change in an instant. I hope losing me twice isn't why he has separation issues now. I am confident with patience and a strong backbone I can get him comfortable with being alone for short periods.

[Louise Perry]

Thank you everyone for your replies and experiences. Well the last two days have not been too bad and when out today Reuben was a dog possessed I swear! Probably pent up energy too though as didn't get out until late. But goodness he had to say hello to every single dog he saw and lingered especially with what I think were females. It may have taken a couple of whistles and on one occasion me running in opposite direction but he did come back. Trying to compete with the female distractions is definitely the hardest as he seems super hypersexual at the mo. But I guess I have to stay consistent and ride the storm for a while!

[Louise Perry]

Yes Sue I totally agree as I  now find myself hoping that the other dogs are unfriendly and tell Reuben to pee off as much easier. At least I don't have to deal with competing honking though - one is bad enough!!!

[Louise Perry]

Let's just hope it doesn't rub off my husband too much, not sure I could cope!!! Haha