Sudden recall issues - Advice

twinklie

My nearly 14 month old dog has always been pretty good on ye old recall and would certainly never run off. However, 3 times in the last 2 weeks shes completely ignored us and run off across the park to another dog who is not really close to us at all.

Any suggestions on what I should be doing? I have to be honest, it's not happened with me yet (more by good fortune probably) it's only happened to my DH. But he's getting really ashamed by his inability to control her now. She's always been so good off the lead.

I was wondering if its either her testing her boundaries or if she could be getting ready for her first season? She's a large breed dog so must be terrifing for the other dog owners when she's bounded over. She just wants to wrestle, but they won't know that. It's only by good fortune that she's not encountered a dog that doesn't like other dogs or the owners haven't been forgiving.

We need to put a stop to it ASAP, or it's going to mean she's not let of the lead anymore.

Fire_Fox

The obvious answer is to go back to basics and keep her on an extending lead with treats on hand, then get her neutered ASAP. It's not fair to have an unspayed b1tch running loose, then expecting another owner with an entire male to control his dog (and I agree that dog needs the snip too! ). Please also bear in mind that people who are allergic to or phobic about dogs, or have young children may be using the area you walk your dog in.

laurz

i can always tell if my !!!!! is coming into season as she won't listen to us, she's perfect any other time. by any chance is she unneutered?

i personally never use extending leads and think they are awful but i'm not getting into a debate on that one. keep the distance you let her wander from you much shorter and use treats sporadically upon a swift return. i would also pop her on her lead if there are any dogs near by or keep her at heel with a treat. if mine runs to greet another dog without being told she can leave heel i run after her and pop her on her lead rather thaan allowing her to come back so she realises leaving heel means the lead.

twinklie

Can't use an extending lead because she's FAR too big for it, would just brake the barrel when she runs. We are waiting to get her spayed - because she's a large breed, we can't get her spayed until she's had her first season. I'm not wanting to enter a debate about whether it's right or wrong - it's a fact. There are no vets in our area (ours who is amazing included) that will spay a large breed until she has had her first season.

I'm very aware of the needs of other people - it's a park, of course there are children etc. That is why I want advice. Like I say, she's never done it with me - it's DH she's done it with. However, the new rule is that if we see a dog, even in the distance she is back on the lead. She doesn't respond to treats AT ALL. Never has - much fun at puppy classes when she was younger and everyone elses dogs were following the treat...not ours :rotfl: She responds to US playing and being exciting. I still try treats, but she never wants them.

We are going back to basics with her...just wondered if someone could shed light on whether it's an age thing (lack of fear from being seperated from us now she's older), or possibly a coming into season thing. Having never had her go through one before I've no idea.

Thanks for the responses so far....any further comments are gratefully received.

Darlyd

You defo need to go back to basics, And use a lead for her. I have staffies and I find every lead will snap as they are so strong. Except for a real leather lead! You can buy longer leather leads off the internet. You may find she will be on the lead until she has been spayed. This may be a hint she won't be long coming into season. Little !!!!!! a.. lol

twinklie

I hope she does come into season soon. I just want it done so we can spay her. I DO NOT want unwanted puppies. We are going to the vets for jabs later so I'll ask their advice about the season and whether it's likely. If so, lead bound we are!!

I've got a lead for her at the minute that's a bit like a climbers rope, it's all interwoven...very strong. I've got to be honest, she's good for the most part on the lead. However, she's had a few incidents that have scared her with people grabbing at her on the lead - so she's not keen on people getting too close...unless she approaches them. It's more the collar I worry about. :rotfl:

DogsBody

Ah, the joys of adolescence! You spend months training your pup, it seems to be a model citizen, and then all of a sudden.....:eek:
Back to basics, extra vigilance (can you spot other dogs/stuff she might want to investigate before she does?), and all the work you've put in up till now won't be forgotten once she's over the 'Kevin's'!

Mine have all done this (some entire, some early neutered rescue) but they have all come out the other end as model citizens again! Takes a while, can be frustrating when it looks like you've been wasting your time and the dog is out of control! Deep breaths, be consistent and try to limit her opportunities for 'going wrong'.

If you think she might be due in season but you can't really tell, check her 'lady-bits' with a tissue - this way you'll spot the 'colour' before she is going to be a problem for male dogs and can keep her under lock and key until it's over!

Going through this myself just now with a new rescue girl, 14 months old and already heading for the Kevin's without the benefit of any solid training to fall back on. Aaaarrrrggghhhhh:eek::eek::eek:

pixelation

Hi Twinkle,
It is best if she is not in season when you spay her. The uterus gets "swampy" and it is a more difficult operation.
You can take her to be spayed now.

dianadoesnt

Is she really obsessed with any of her toys? Not being food motivated is a problem ( i have a lab and he would lie down and die for a treat) sometimes dogs can be mad for a particular toy.
If she has a toy (preferably with a squeek) she really loves then i would take it away from her and keep it in your pocket/bag when out-then you could use it to entice her back when she goes AWOL.
Diana

viktory

pixelation wrote: »

Hi Twinkle,
It is best if she is not in season when you spay her. The uterus gets "swampy" and it is a more difficult operation.
You can take her to be spayed now.

The OP has already said that the vet has requested she has one season before she is spayed. There is no intention of spaying during her season - and in fact your advice is pretty poor as she could be coming into season now.

OP, I think it might be a coming into season thing as my b1tch got quite naughty just before her season.

Fire_Fox

Is your b1tch not food oriented at all? Have you tried walking and thus training her when hungry (same as you let new cat out the first time before a meal)? What about defrosted Value prawns, they stink worse than any commercial treats and are cheaper to boot? There are plenty of training videos on YouTube using play or fuss as a reward if not. Or you could play in your garden for an hour rather than walking, it's not ideal but but better than her under a bus or giving someone an asthma attack.