Maxx recall

Atemas

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Location
North Cambridgeshire
Had he had some off lead time somewhere else on the walk? If so don’t worry about the rugby field - just keep him on the lead. Don’t beat yourselves up about it, he will just have to accept he doesn’t get any freedom there - at least not for the time being. More important that you both don’t have your confidence eroded and make your walk stressful.
 
Lab_adore

Lab_adore

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Sydney, Australia
Thanks Alison, yes he had off-lead from one end of the field to the other (about 15 mins) where we let him bimble along at his own pace sniffing madly. Then we had our structured walk around the gardens on-lead and then back across the rugby field towards where the car is parked. We always let him off here if it is empty (which is mainly is). It was just like he saw something or heard something and took off

It's the only place we CAN let him off lead safely (i.e. without other people/dogs around) - even though technically we aren't allowed due to the non-dog-friendly council rules. We also keep a careful eye on anyone entering the field to see if they have a dog as he has been known to run up to other dogs. The only place we are legally allowed him off-lead is one of the two dog parks and we avoid those as there always seems to be dogs and owners that we prefer to avoid

I wish we didn't live in a big city :( - but one day we will move to a more rural area.
 
Lab_adore

Lab_adore

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Sydney, Australia
Granca said:
Maybe he realised you were going back to the car?
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Yes he would as we do this route most days. If the park is wet or if there are too many people we drive past and do our structured walk straight up. He knows that as soon as we get home he gets his breakfast so I wouldn't think he is too worried about the walk ending. But who knows what is going on in his furry head?
 
Ashley

Ashley

I don't really have any great advice except to say that it's a constant work in progress so don't let the off days ruin how far you've come. I would continue letting him off in that field, but not close to where he escapes and not letting him off to his own devices - that could be where he gets some ball throws, where you practice some outdoor sit/stays or touches, something engaging so that he doesn't have time to think about taking off. Quinn will be 5 at the end of this year, so this is the 4th summer that I've dreaded water/balls/beach - this is the first year that she hasn't been taking off to get someone else to throw her ball, or just running rampage in general. It feels like a miracle, but it's not really....it's been 4 years of careful selection of when she can go off leash, the perfect timing on recall and practice, practice, practice. I feel like I know her better as the years pass, so I can really predict what she will do before she does it. You will get there!
 
Lab_adore

Lab_adore

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Sydney, Australia
I thought I would give an update

We are definitely having more 'good' days than bad. We can really see a turnaround in his focus on us and his recall. If he is sniffing and I wait until he lifts his head to go to the next spot (thanks @Emily) and I blow the whistle or call him he almost always charges over. Yesterday two of his little mates arrived at the rugby oval and he was having a wonderful time charging around with them. Their owner, who has known Maxx from a puppy said 'Gosh he has come a long way in his behaviour hasn't he?'. Wow! He didn't jump up at her but I think that was more about being intent on chasing her dog. I cringed when Steve called him mid romp but wouldn't you know it, he came running back!

A few people have said there was a big change between 2.5 and 3. He is 2 years and almost 9 months.

Thanks again all for your support. We'll get there :tail:
 
Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
Loraseal said:
Hunter will be 3 in September and I have noticed this week a slight calmness to his very excitable character. X
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Yep, definite change in Cassie as she turned 3. She's 4 now, and the other day as we were returning to the car after a walk 3 extremely elderly but plucky individuals walking with sticks appeared. I'm sure that 2 years ago mayhem would have ensued and I could picture a scene of Cass knocking over the sticks and felling them all like skittles! Not that day, she just sauntered over and greeted each in turn very gently, stood around long enough to be admired and off we went :)
 
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