Training Matters!

[JMFS]

This morning my neighbor, whose yard is without a fence, had his two dogs out. For the second morning in a row it's been at the same time as Gertie's regular potty break. His one dog putters around close to his house, but little Jake is inquisitive. Gertrude is getting better with not barking at people through the fence, but she's still a work in progress so she runs up to the fence and gives a few barks. I calmly say, Gertie, potty. Wait 30 seconds, Gertie, potty. She does. Then it's back to the fence line to chuff. Gertrude Marie, poop (the things we say for all to hear!). 30 seconds go by, Gertrude MArie (the "uh oh, better listen for sure" version - working on phasing that out), and she goes to do her business. Now she's ignoring Jake and the neighbor, who is Repeatedly saying, "Jake, Jake, Jake, get over here Jake, Jake!!!" She trots over to the Other neighbor's area and chuffs at a pool float he has on the ground, I suppose it disturbed her. I calmly and quietly say, "Gertie, come on," she does her "I don't hear you" thing so I say it excitedly, but still quietly, catch her eye and motion her over and we go inside. Neighbor is still chanting the Jake mantra. Now we're inside and that little stinker, Jake (not the neighbo, is at our gate sniffing around. Neighbor is standing in his yard, hands on his hips and I can only imagine he's Really hollerin' at poor Jake now.

 

Gertie recall doesn't occur just because that's who she is. No no, I used to be a chanter myself because that girl ignored the daylights out of me. With the advice here and great gobs of effort on my part, not to mention looking and sounding so very ridiculous numerous times, I now have a pup who Mostly recalls quickly. We'll continue to work on it. I wanted to illustrate the differences in technique, though. I didn't have to raise my voice or repeat myself continuously to get Gertie to come back to me, meantime the neighbor is raising a ruckus and getting zero results (and likely getting frustrated). I will give him credit for not running after Jake, which could have made matters worse and turned it into a game of chase for Jake. Our street isn't very busy but some of our neighbors have a need for speed and Fly down our unmarked narrow street. I sure hope little Jake learns recall sooner than later - he had to cross the street to get to our gate - and training could very well save his life.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Sounds like your dog is doing very well with the recall! It's one of those things we actually never end training as there are always new challenges and opportunities. As always, it's important to ensure we put the dog up for success. I like to think about every successful recall (that is rewarded generously) as adding a coin to a virtual piggy bank that will pay off in the long run especially that day we may really need our dog to come when called (think emergency situation).

 

However, if we make it too difficult for the dog ( e.g. call the dog when exposed to a level too high with distractions), every time the dog doesn't come when called, we are removing a coin from the piggy bank, considering that when our dogs fail to come when called we are weakening our recall. It sounds like Jake's owner is struggling and repeating himself a lot instead which as you imagine will have negative repercussions.

[JMFS]

I've determined his other dog's name is Digger because we heard the same chant the other day, only this time it was Digger getting the royal treatment. If I didn't think I'd end up bopping the man on the nose with a rolled up newspaper I'd go talk to him. :D I would also have to go open the gate from the garage and by the time I did that ol' Jake and Digger would be in my yard and I can only imagine the yelling that would ensue! I'm trying to think of a way to help him because we need to stop the pups from crossing the road. For now I've avoided, as much as possible, letting our pooches out while his are out.

 

Gertie, on the other hand, has learned the value of freeze dried beef, liver, and salmon (omg the fish is beyond pungent but she Loves it). I've returned to the silent whistle training as we're often up into the wee hours of the morning. Never mind the other neighbors' confused roosters are having a crow-off at 2:30 in the morning; I don't want to be out there calling or lip whistling for Gertrude if those flippin' roosters happen to be quiet. :D