Horrible off leash recall

[PurpleRaine]

OK, I have had Bambi since she was 3 months old she has been through 2 Obedience classes now, is worked with daily and we are currently on a waiting list for yet another training facility.. (It's a matter of when they have an opening and my schedule will allow me to enroll..) I feel as though I have tried everything and NOTHING is working!!!!! She does very well with all other commands.. Sit, stay, come *while on lead or in enclosed area* down, leave it, off, wait you name it she will do it.. But off leash recall in an open area nope, nada, nil.... and it's getting to the point that my frustration is beginning to take over... Now most of the neighborhood is filled with dogs and EVERYONE in the neighborhood knows Bambi and that she is utterly harmless and most have offered assistance in catching her at one time or another.... However, just the other day my 6 yr old left the door open and Bambi took off for a 2nd time in two days (after no major incidents for quite some time).. It was hot and I was in my bare feet on hot pavement and Brown needle sharp grass chasing after her... She took off in a direction that she usually never goes and ended up in a distant neighbor's yard (one I do not know very well) for the 2nd time.. Said neighbor came out and asked if I could keep my dog out of her yard.. I proceeded to try and apologize and offer an explanation * I admit looking back my explanation may have come out a bit harsh* but it did not go very well and things got extremely heated on both ends... to the point that I am afraid that if Bambi were to get out again and head in that direction again said "neighbor" will wind up calling the authorities and lodging a complaint.. I am really at a loss as to what to do!!!!!!!! Any and all advice is appreciated.....

[mezmerelda]

What have you done in the way of off leash recall? It may be a silly question, but everyone does it a slightly different way, or so I've noticed. One thing that has worked for us with several of our dogs is to make it a game. The more interested they are in you (at least while training) the more likely they are to pay attention and follow commands. If you are more interesting to them than whatever is outside (other dogs, people, etc), they are going to be watching you. And many dogs (not all) watch more than they listen. So, I guess my suggestion is to find somewhere safe and make it a game. Get Bambi's eye and run away, see if she follows. Lather, rinse repeat. I would also suggest training your 6yo too, although I understand that may be a bit harder to do. :-)

[krb0471]

Basja learned by "chase me" as Mel suggested. I never chased her. Get a long line and let her wander, call, if no response give a tug, repeat until she comes and give a treat. Don't give the 'come" command more than once tho, let her get distracted again if she doesn't respond. Otherwise you will have a dog that waits for the 4th, 5th, soon to be 6th.....command and that can get annoying.
Other people may have some ideas as well....

[Swissies4Me]

I agree with what the others said, chase me really does seem to be the best way in very distracting situations. If that doesn't work, you had mentioned that she is good and consistent with other commands. If she does them from a distance maybe try telling her to sit or down and then stay and go and get her, avoiding a recall altogether. And, this is a total cop-out, but every single time we say the word treat, Ruger will come running no matter where she is or what she's doing. I know if she ever decided not to listen to her come command all I would have to do is yell treat and she'd be back.

[ALDOGMOM]

We work on our recall on an almost daily basis and because of that it is solid with both of my dogs..

When we are out for a walk I will let them get to the end of the flexi-lead and get interested in something (usually rabbit poop or something dead) - stop and call them to me...Even though they are leashed it helps to reinforce that command that when I call their name and ask them to "come!" they need to stop what they are doing and come to where I am..

I agree with the suggestions about your not chasing her...

Go the other way and call her to you in your ridiculously happy voice...use tons and tons of treats..

Work with her while she is in the house...Go into another room..call her name ("Bambi come!) and have something really yummy (I trained mine with bits of the really cheap, nasty hot dogs)...That way she will learn to associate the command with something really great...

I would take Bogey down to our local park where there were tons of distractions (people, squirrels, ducks, dogs, birds, cars, etc.) and have him on one of those extra long training leads...When he got interested in something I would call him to me, guiding him in with the lead until he came and sat in front of me.

Until her recall is solid you are going to have to watch that door like crazy...

[Marissa]

Some dogs just can never be trusted off leash, due to stubborn-ness or breed. I own a Malamute, they are NOT trust-worthy off leash. Period. Most Pyrs aren't either. Perhaps your Dane just isn't an off-leash dog either. Can you install a screen door so at least one door is closed pretty much all the time? That way it's 2 doors to forget rather than one.