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This morning a guy at the dog park made me rethink letting my pup off leash

So I was at Riverside Park around 7am with my golden mix Luna, and this older dude with a border collie just casually said "you know, every time you call your dog and she doesn't come back right away, you're teaching her that listening is optional." And I mean, I've heard that before but it hit different coming from him because his dog was glued to his side the whole time. Now I'm wondering if spending 3 months training recall solidly is worth it before I let her roam again. Has anyone else gone back to basics like that and seen a difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

faith_king2d ago

Yeah that hits hard for sure. I went through the same thing last year with my pup and it sucks feeling like you've been doing it wrong this whole time. But taking a step back and drilling recall really does make a difference, just takes patience.

the_diana1d ago

Hate to be that person, but three months is probably overkill. The guy at the park wasn't wrong, but you don't need to lock yourself and Luna away for a quarter of a year. A solid week or two of daily drills in low distraction spots, then gradually moving to the park at quiet times, should do the trick. The real trick is never calling her unless you're sure she'll come, and always making the reward worth more than whatever she's sniffing. Border collie guy probably drilled that one simple rule more than anything fancy. Have you tried practicing with a long line so she can still roam but you can physically reel her in if she blows you off?

the_miles2d ago

Wait, wait... 'every time you call your dog and she doesn't come back right away, you're teaching her that listening is optional'? That's brutal. I've never had anyone put it that way before, but it makes so much sense when you say it like that. I'd probably have stood there with my mouth hanging open for a good ten seconds. I bet his border collie was like a shadow, too, which just makes the whole thing sting more. I think I'd be in the same spot you are, wondering if three months of solid training is worth it.