cool, I am researching now I have a 35 lb Catahoula 2year old, terrier mix. very quick and buddied up with an Australian Shepard. the sound of the jar opening, and the word peanut butter has both of them recalling themselves to me. :) thank you I am going to work with mine from some of this, mostly the long lead may help too.
how do you teach forced recall. I lacey my catahoula knows come but i cannot get a complete recall out of her if there is work or something she wants more than to come to me. On a positive note we have had 5 deer recoveries this season!
+Tom Lindelow Ok Tom I take that she is blood tracking dog, that's awesome, it sounds what you want is a refind out of her. A recall is a call off of work, play, or anything other than listening to you. I will give you ideas for both and you can try them if you want. I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL TRAINER just a guy who studies and loves training dogs. take everything I say with a grain of salt, do your research and decide what is best for your and your dog, ultimately you know your dog. This guy IS a professional trainer and an absolute encyclopedia on the Catahoula, check out his website www.abneycatahoulas.com/ .Consistency in the training is key you must not let her slide. Failing to come back is not acceptable and can lead to a challenge in Alpha state, Maybe, more likely in catahoula males than females. Refind - Easy to do. Run a training track on long lead, preferably 30 ft or perhaps a 50 ft check cord. When the dog gets to the drag gently pull the dog back to you and reiterate the come command, don't check them or make it a bad experience. Once they get back you get very excited and tell them SHOW ME! the dog might run back on its own. If not run back with it. Immediately when the dog gets to the drag introduce the reward what ever it is. You need to link you getting to the drag/deer as the time to get rewarded. Aka the dog will learn getting handler to drag/deer = super fun time reward. Rinse and repeat until dog does it consistently on its own. Don't be in a hurry to go off lead. Run sets of three short trails in quick succession and dog should progress. Build it into every training trail. Step two introduce a final indication such as a jump or bark when they get back to you. Go with what the dog wants to do naturally. Do not do this until the dog has the refind down. Teach one thing at a time. Recall - All it is the Here or Come command. I am assuming the dog already knows this. If not start with a 50 ft check cord training. Whatever you have chosen. Start off a training cycle with several successful focused Here commands. Remember the dog always must be rewarded for coming to you. Do not ever correct movement to you. If the dog is reluctant get down on your knees put your arms out wide and very happily say come and get excited. Praise movement towards you, ""good girl." Pets and rewards when she gets to you. After you have come down. Go for a walk in a space off lead. Wait till dog is away from you and give her the command. If she ignores you approach confidently but not in a way to teach her to run from you. Grab the collar and bring her to where you were while stating come, praise her when she gets there. Do this only if the dog clearly knows the command. If she flees, break out the 50 ft check cord again and do it with a check cord. If the dog clearly knows the command and is stalling and ignoring you at distance perhaps it is time for a electronic collar or more check cord training. Do your research and know what you are doing before you attempt any training with an E collar. No matter what coming to you must be a FUN experience and rewarding. Your dog might find something more fun to do, that is where you need to step in with correction. No matter what training you do, attitude of you and the dog is key. Key it upbeat, stay positive and if you feel yourself getting annoyed stop training before you get frustrated. Train several times a week for 10-15 mins. Build in fetch or frisbee after training as fun. You want to make your dog look forward to training a lot.
