Getting a solid recall from a newly acquired 10 month ol

[Guest kimkathan]

I have recently acquired a 10 month old BC, who came from a "kennel" type atmosphere, she was well aclimated to people, and has fit in EXTREAMLY well around here. My starting at the basics, is temporarly been put on hold because her recall is begining to lack. I think she is feeling comfortable enough that she is blowing me off. I have put her back on a long line, and she does fine on it, but as soon as I take it off, she's back to her old tricks again. Back on goes the line, and we've been doing it for 5 days now. It is particulary bad when there are distractions. Any advice?

[Guest Carol Campion]

Congrats on finding a dog!

 

It is to be expected that it might not keep its old behavior. It is getting to know you and what you mean. You are saying the same words, but your tone of voice is different and you may have bought the dfog from a man—then there is a real difference.

 

Keep it on he line til it is solid on it but the key phrase in your question is "distracted".

 

Put the dogin the face of the distraction. Make sure the line is very light and set the dog up in a place where it will take off on you. Then catch it. Don't restrain it—let it have the freedom to be wrong. Just keep ahold of the end of this line and catch it and correct it.

 

These dogs learn sequesces—I do this and then that happens. So DO NOT FOLLOW DISOBEDIENCE WITH ANY WORK. Otherwise they come to think they don't have to do right and they will still get what they want. It is frustrating to get a new dog and have to do this groundwork. But it pays off.

 

If you lay the groundwork now, it will pay off and she will accept you as boss.

[Guest Carol Campion]

Kim

 

I have been thinking more about you and this new dog.

 

I have had one or two "vagrants" in my experience. All were dogs I raised from pups and somewhere on the way, about at 6 to 8 months, they realized that there are squirrels and fun stuff in the 25 acres of forest behind me. Down the tubes went their interest in me or coming when called.

 

With all of them, once I started them on sheep and they got a solid down and a solid recall on sheep, it was easy to get it again when off sheep. They all reazied they needed me for somthing. So working on the that'll do on sheep might help as well. Make sure you have that line on though!!!!