Tips for developing reliable recall and leave it at a distance?

**redw4rds** · 11-25-2011, 02:25 PM

I've previously posted about my 2 year old lab's love for dragging big sticks around and my inability to get him to resist them - yesterday I got in the way of him running with a 6ft long branch and I now have a very painful black eye - so it's time for 'leave it' boot camp I think.

He knows that he's not supposed to have these sticks, so as soon as he finds one he gets playful and runs away from us. When he is at home his 'drop' command is very good but not so much on off leash walks. His recall is not 100% reliable when he is distracted, so I recognize that we need to work on the two together to make him realize that just because he's off leash doesn't mean he can ignore my commands.

Number one is we will instigate a ban on retrieving sticks and stick to the frisbee instead.
Someone recommended working with the long line but I'm not sure what to do once he is on it - anyone got any tips?
Any assistance gratefully received!

**redw4rds** · 11-25-2011, 02:34 PM

Ooh, just found this other thread about really reliable recall.... Reliable Recall

What word would you use for RRR?

**Red Fraggle** · 11-25-2011, 07:56 PM

That was a very helpful thread. I've been looking up all the tips on this one that I can. Can anyone tell me what the best length of lead to be working with for this is? I have a short one for walking with him and a 20ft one for training in the back yard, but I think I may need to work up to a longer one eventually?

**dweck** · 11-29-2011, 04:40 PM

START SHORT!!! Get the command to take root when the dog is right at your side. If he/she ignores you close-by, what are the chances that he/she is going to ignore you halfway across the yard when there are leaves blowing and butterflies flying and birds chriping and squirrels squirrelling?

So I recommend starting the recall using ONE 6' leash. Leave the dog with a WAIT. Go to the end of the leash. Pivot around to face the dog. Issue the command. Back up. And reel him in.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Once that has taken hold, snap two leashes together and work it at 12'.

Then go a little longer with a clothesline or marine cord or something. But don't go wild at 1/2 a mile away. The point is to be able to correct mistakes when they happen. BE PATIENT! BE PERSISTENT!