Not given up playing with Fido, not given up doing recaller games as they are AWESOME and have helped us build a ton of value for cooperating and instead of a not amused dog. They helped us to become an obedience team and we can finally work towards some real working results.
But I no longer see any way he could have a recall through recallers only. He has a history of chasing animals and though it was not more than 5 times, I don't see any way I could put more money in the bank to overcome this.
Each game we play puts a coin into the bank of recall.
One deer chase - puts a million to the bank of chasing deer and there's no way I could even get close in most of his life.
Susan said something similar in the last distraction webinar. There indeed are hopeless cases and we may be one of them.
I think a dog's life is too short to restrain him in a Ruff Love manner for more than a few weeks. After we spent months on leash, without getting a chance to just "be a dog" running through fields and then at the first chance he ran off... with his long line on... with a muzzle so if he became tangled somewehere, he couldn't even bite himself out of it...
We probably could get some reliability in years. But a large-breed dog gets to live about 10 years. Is it even fair of me to not let him off leash for half of his life?
So... Fido now has a recall. I think he loves his new life and it was worth it, even if it wasn't his choice in the start
We still play recaller games and love them
I just wondered how you achieved a recall if not through Recallers - what method worked for you and Fido?
ReplyDeleteHe wears an e collar. Nothing to be proud of, but I found the other options (leash only, long line held in hand all the time) even more damaging to his well-being.
DeleteI completely empathise, I think there is a balance to be achieved between keeping a dog on a lead to train and allowing the dog to be a dog the chance to run free and be a dog, but perhaps endanger its own life. I think there is a role for e collars and they can be a useful tool as a last resort when used correctly. I wish you all the best with your dog, he looks very happy in the photograph!
DeleteHow does that work? Years before Recallers we tried a bark collar for about a month with little success. I totally understand your thought process. If I had nothing else to do I could give my dog (found in a field...3 days to catch, which should have been a clue) a perfect life. That would mean having a perfect, safe place for her to run free and be a dog; new adventures weekly to help her acclimate to different situations; only positive, energetic training times where neither of us ever shows frustration; well, my list could go on and on gleaned from what I see other people doing for their dogs. But realistically my day can't revolve around my dog. Maybe this means I shouldn't have a dog. Maybe this means I should have left her in the field to face her fate. Like you, I love playing the games with my dog and she loves it, too. But we haven't been able to progress past about a 2 or 3 distraction. And lately some things seem to be going backwards. I don't have unlimited time or resources (try not to think about how much money I already have in this girl) to figure out how to resolve issue after issue. In comparison to your five times, before Recallers we probably had an escape out the door on at least a monthly basis for several years. Millions of coins in that bank for sure. And even if I had 10 training sessions a day I can't see that my value will ever build up to the value she has away from me. It is like there is this wild spot in her brain that she will hang on to for life. I am giving this another effort. As much as I am able I will do better planning, work through the Doggy ADD book and the other distraction resources and do my best to video. Maybe we will have a light bulb moment. I'll never give up on her for we are at a better place than we were but I may have to reconcile to the fact that neither of us have enough life left for her to choose to ignore her level 10 distractions. So management may continue to be our only option in these instances. I am grateful for how much I have learned. If I were to ever be blessed with a puppy I think I could bring up an amazing dog. As for this one I'll keep you posted in a few months as to whether we have progressed to a recall outside the house or not. I am remaining positive that at the very least we can progress to having a nice walk where she doesn't go ballistic when we encounter another dog. But, again, I can't ignore my other life responsibilities to have dog training be my focus every waking moment. If after close to two years (I am signed up in PP and H-360) I still haven't progressed to having enough focus from my dog to enjoy a simple walk, the time investment may never be enough. Struggle with envy for anyone who can let their dog into the yard and not have that dog charge down the street with no thought of returning.
ReplyDeleteHow it works depends on the dog. Mine is a "tough guy" to whom it just meant "okay, she still can reach me even if I'm off leash" because with recall, a DWDH moment is hard to overcome :)
DeleteI have a trainer whom I trust and she taught us both how it works.
Nobody's life can revolve about his dog alone, and I'm sure the dogs want some time without our attention too. You're doing more for her than most people would care or even could do.
We still have many things we just manage, for example walking around other dogs. But it is easier to work on problems with a comfortably exercised and a bit tired dog, than with an energy bomb ready to explode any minute :)
Thanks for your input and encouragement. Having someone in the flesh to be able to work with would be so nice. Sounds like you have found a good balance. Tomorrow starts a renewed resolve to at least be more consistent with my training for the next couple of months and a more concerted effort to either provide good exercise with my bike attachment or find a space where she can safely be free a couple of times a week...maybe both. I'll repost down the road. Would love to hear if you have more progress as well.:)
DeleteI have just read your blog and I do not think you are a hopeless case at all. You have made a decision based on your desire to help your dog and improve his life experience and for that you should be applauded.
ReplyDeleteWe all have different dogs with different challenges and have different life experiences and time demands. I am not sure that I can ever be the trainer Susan is I can only learn as much as I can and if that is not enough then I live with those consequences, so it would be unfair to judge someone for adjusting to those consequences and trying something different, to give their dog the chance to run free.
You have supported and helped me throughout this year with some of your comments and for that I continue to be so grateful. I just know you will have made your decisions for right reasons and with the happiness of your dog in mind and no-one should judge you for that, because in the end we all have to walk our own path.
Monty
I am a dog trainer with 20+ years of experience who just adopted a dog with "animal experience" and that's why I joined recallers (today). I hope I have at least as much success as you have! Even though I am a "positive" trainer, I totally support the scientifically used shock collar for finishing or moving along what the positive approach was not able to accomplish. That does not mean one should throw in the towel and go negative at the first sign of "failure," which you did not. It is allowing Fido his freedom with well-learned responses, cues, boundaries, etc. I think you are fine!
ReplyDeleteI am a dog trainer with 20+ years of experience who just adopted a dog with "animal experience" and that's why I joined recallers (today). I hope I have at least as much success as you have! Even though I am a "positive" trainer, I totally support the scientifically used shock collar for finishing or moving along what the positive approach was not able to accomplish. That does not mean one should throw in the towel and go negative at the first sign of "failure," which you did not. It is allowing Fido his freedom with well-learned responses, cues, boundaries, etc. I think you are fine!
ReplyDelete