training lead

[Gaelle]

I bought a LONG cord training lead yesterday (10 metres) in the belief that it would help me with Cuthbert's outdoor recall. So far all it has done is get me tangled in knots, Cuthbert pays not a blind bit of attention to it so either it is too long or I'm not using it properly!! BAH!!!

[Lisa]

I used the retractable lead when I was training Kai in recall. I did think about using a lunge lead but I knew I'd end up all tangled up

[John Thomson]

Gaelle,

did the class this afternoon help regarding the use of a long line?
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Suzanne H]

We didn't hold it all the time, just didn't let him get too far away and you can then stand on it when you need to and reel em in.

We also use a whistle ie blow the whistle twice, reel him in, treat. They get the connection in the end.

The line also slowed him down. Even if you do have to chase after them, you don't have to go as far, just to the end of the line.

[Susan]

I am going to start doing this with Rufus!
His outdoor recall used to be really good, but this last month he has started to ignore me completely. And if he sees a person or dog, there is no stopping him! There will be old long lines up at the yard, I will see what I can mooch before buying one, lol! I did actually try him in the garden with a long bit of clothesline, but he kept getting tangled, think it will be different out in the fields though!

[Gaelle]

John, Not tried it out again yet . It looks simple enough I'm just a bit nervous about him getting tangled in it whilst running at full speed to come back whilst I'm frantically trying to wind it in like you showed me. I guess it's just practice though and I'll let you know how we get on. Thanks for that.!

[Lorna]

I am using long training line with Poppy to recall. It is a matter of how you handle the line to avoid tangling yourself up. Just follow John's instructions carefully, practice and you will be fine.
If you find you are tangling, drop the line and stand on the end. You and dog will be safe.
_________________
Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!

[Suzanne H]

It really does work. Otto knew the recall commands in the house/garden but out in the big smelly world or at puppy classes, he had better things to do.

We'd start every walk holding on the line, do the command and if he didn't come, tug it and reel him in and reward. Eventually, the tug was enough.

Then gradually let it go in a safe area, he didn't notice we weren't holding on to it. Or we could stand on it and tug him to remind him. Eleanor also gave us a gundog tip - throw the treat on the ground to make him work for it to drill it in.

After a while he just ran about with it between his legs, it seemed to give us control and slowed him down.

Also keep back the favourite treat for recall...and keep practising the command in the house and garden.

If it looks like getting tangled, drop it....or if you are about to lose the skin on your hands

We still start every walk with it, just to remind him. But he now responds to the whistle - most of the time. Some days he's at it and the line goes back on. But rarely nowadays.

[Gaelle]

I'm also thinking of getting him (hopefully!) trained to the whistle. I have an ordinary type one already but would a "silent" i.e dog whistlle be better? Also I know this is likely a silly question but how can you tell if the "silent" whistle is actually working if it isn't within your range of hearing pitch?

[Suzanne H]

Not a silly question, I kept blowing it thinking "this isn't working" but the dog was hearing it fine

He will come back to Come or the whistle (cos I kept forgetting the whistle!).

Two blasts or Otto Come!, tug on the line, sit, treat...on yer way. We did that about 10 times a walk, particularly at the start to remind him who's boss. I still catch him thinking twice about it, but he will do it now.

Just gradually build up the distance you let them go until you're confident.

We use the whistle to keep him close in areas we don't know or to pull him back from way off if he's running in an area we know is enclosed.

[Gaelle]

Oh I do like that "slippery dog"! That sums it up perfectly!!! So do I dare take him out off lead with the pack? I don't know as I'm damned if I can catch him these days!!

[Suzanne H]

You can keep the lead on, and just let it go but stand on it if he's going too far ahead ie keep the ability to do the recall in your own hands or feet rather than let him get into a position to ignore you.

I always found that with the lead on he thought he was attached even when he wasn't. Minute we took it off, he wouldn't listen, so we just left it on until he listened all the time, even when he was out of reach, he still responded as if I was holding it.

Am no expert, was a bit of trial and error, but I have no doubt that it helped us. Specially with a dog who's mission in life is to run and smell.

[Gaelle]

Are you sure that you don't actually have Cuthbert living with you , just heavily disguised?? It sounds so like him!!!

[John Thomson]

[Gaelle]

Okay I'll do that. If the weather holds tomorrow I may bring him for a lunchtime walk with you guys in the glen.. He loves that!!
P.S. Silly question if he is running a full speed on a long line is it still okay to use prongs? I know they are there to correct pulling but I just wondered about using at speed?