[Skip]

I have a 18mos old collie and she is too smart for her own good and her recalls are terrible when she is out in the big wide world. She does great in the back garden etc but when out for training or walking she takes off and eventually comes back but on her own terms. I realise that she is probably sticking two fingers up to me and she is still young but she needs to know her recalls for Agility and Working Trials, as I have not been able to get her on sheep,which would be ideal. Does anyone have any tips or advice? I have started going back to basis with the long rope but now worried to let her off again.

[doganjo]

Very high value treats - cooked chicken, sausage - I've had to do that with my working Brittanys on a number of occasions as their hunt instinct is so strong.  Keep her on a line util her recall is 100% instant every time.

[Backinwellies]

personally when I was struggling with my previous collie ... who came instantly for a treat whilst in mid field but as soon as he detected a homeward turn became deaf!! ... best advice I've ever had .... try a ball not titbits.... took me a total of 30 mins to get total recall.... collies they have their own rules and that's why we lov 'em   

[doganjo]

Wouldn't work with my gundogs.  We teach them to refrain from chasing rabbits with balls 

But if they know I have a pocket of high value treats - it has to be high value once the recall has gone and needs to be retrained.  (Chicken, pheasant, liver, sausage) Ordinary packet treats from the shops don't work.    They get a come ba\ck reward every time for the first four or five, then just high praise on the next one, and they are like bullets next time.

[happygolucky]

Also could you try a long line for a start while out, let it out and then do re call with something more interesting to your dog,....but...I do know how you feel, we had a patterdale cross, his recall  was excellent until he decided he found something better to go after, then no way would he come back, he was castrated young too so not after the ladies, we were on a farm for the first few months living up here in Scotland and I actualy took raw meat out and gave it to every one, no way did he show any interest at all, we got him eventualy by me talking all excited and running away from him, another time I lay down by a ark pond so he came back to check how I was!!!  can you not get something that looks like live bate, eg, a rabbit skin, a dead pheasant or similar? I am not familiar with many breeds as I have labs and they would drop anything for any treat, I often get the opposite problem, if mine know I have nice treats they stay too near to me

[Bionic]

Skip, I can sympathise. My dog is about the same age and turns a deaf ear when he wants to.  A ball, or any toy certainly won't do it for him.


He likes little bits of bread but even thats not enough when he is really interested in something else.

Annie, I will try the high value treats too.


thanks
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[happygolucky]

A dead animal tied in a stocking/sock or tights helps!!!!

[doganjo]

That's what mine retrieve, goes back in the freezer during season

[happygolucky]

I slug a pheasants wing in one of my cut off tights and it went high up into a tree so I spent ages trying to rock the tree with Rhum pushing me while I pushed the tree, it was funny and so is she!!!! at least it was a black stocking and not one of my red ones

[Old Shep]

Having both gundogs and sheepdogs the difference between them is fascinating!  Generally collies aren't too bothered about food but gundogs are - but find out what floats your dogs boat.  Long line or just let off lead in an enclosed area where it can't get out, and make yourself the most interesting thing in that area!  Get the dog to chase you, make a fuss when it catches up to you - being next to you is THE best place it's such FUN!!
You can also teach a drop (down) that can often stop a dog bogging off, and collies seem to respond to that.  If you get the dog to drop then you can walk out to it and put a lead on (but obviously don't do this every time because it will soon get wise).  Whether your dog is going to be a pet, agility, WT or sheep dog - you need a recall.
Good luck!  Hope I don't come over as too know it all as I dont'!  I'm having great problems with a young setter who in addition to bogging off has added escapology to her many talents.  She is spending most of the time on a lead now - even in the garden 

[doganjo]

Well said, Shep, none of us know it all! Even after owning, working, showing, and breeding gundogs for over 40 years I still learn new things.  My boy can't take his feet off teh ground in water just now - got a scare - so he's getting swimming lessons - in a nice warm pool, and I will get my lifelong wish soon - being able to swim with him.  Pauline says that will give him more confidence than anything if I go in with him.
It's Doggie Paddles in Fife. http://doggiepaddles.co.uk/

[Alistair]

Try running backwards away from the dog (so your facing it) being excitable with treats or toys?

Worked for me recently when I was having problems recalling with my collies, also I was given good advice on here to do the training in different locations, good advice - it's worked for me.

[spandit]

We start ours off in the house. Let them run around in the house and garden, 3 pips on the whistle and hold a piece of food in your hand. May take a while but eventually they'll come and investigate. Just repeat and after a few goes, remove the treat and just give praise/affection

Out in the field is a different matter but our younger one is improving. Not easy with strong willed gundogs...

[Skip]

Well thanks for all that info and I am sure out of all that I will come out on top! So if you see somebody coming down the road with sausages hanging round my neck and sweaty old sock plus stockings and a few dead animals dragging behind me with about 20 collies following you will know I have definitely cracked it  

[doganjo]