Recall and toy obsession

Hunnyb22 · #1 (**permalink**) 21-03-2009, 10:33 PM

Hi all...I have a two year old male Lab (neutered) who won't come back on recall (or at least won't come back when I call him) and is obsessive with his toys. I only acquired him last Saturday (14 March) so haven't had long to train him. He used to be my son's dog but my son hasn't given the dog basic training other than sit, he has a demanding job and young children to care for.

When Barney has a toy or bone (rawhide) he'll bring it close to you but will run away with it as soon as you go to grab it. However, he's not aggressive with it, he just teases. I started using a clicker so that when he drops it I click and give him a treat, he's slowly getting the hang of it (very slowly).

He's a lovely natured dog so I want to perservere with him, it's just that it's so frustrating. .

I trained my other dog Bruno from a puppy (9 weeks) and he's an old hat at it now (13 years old) will Barney learn from Bruno?

Any help would be appreciated.

Kind regards
Hunnyb22

PoisonGirl · #2 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 12:21 AM

Hi, as he is toy obsessive- use that to your advantage!

Pick out a toy he enjoys.. maybe a tug toy so you can keep a hold of ot. Keep this toy purely for recall.
During the walk, call him back and offer the toy for comingback, and let him have a game of tug. Then ask him to 'leave' and click and treat.
That way, he gets a toy he loves, then gets to go run about which he loves. Make it fun he wil enjoy it and learn quicker

I guess Barney will pick up things from Bruno.. and quite possibly the other way round too!

Also he is a lab so he's''supposed'' to be good at fetching! hehe, best way to teach fetch to a toy obsessive dog is to take 2 toys along... when he runs near you with the 1st one (and DONT grab! this will ,make him more likely to run off) ask him to drop, and offer the other toy. It does usually work.

Good luck and can we see some pics please?

x

Hunnyb22 · #3 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poisongirl

Hi, as he is toy obsessive- use that to your advantage!

Pick out a toy he enjoys.. maybe a tug toy so you can keep a hold of ot. Keep this toy purely for recall.
During the walk, call him back and offer the toy for comingback, and let him have a game of tug. Then ask him to 'leave' and click and treat.
That way, he gets a toy he loves, then gets to go run about which he loves. Make it fun he wil enjoy it and learn quicker

I guess Barney will pick up things from Bruno.. and quite possibly the other way round too!

Also he is a lab so he's''supposed'' to be good at fetching! hehe, best way to teach fetch to a toy obsessive dog is to take 2 toys along... when he runs near you with the 1st one (and DONT grab! this will ,make him more likely to run off) ask him to drop, and offer the other toy. It does usually work.

Good luck and can we see some pics please?

x

Hi Poisongirl...Thanks for that, I'll give it a go and see how he gets on. I have done as you've mentioned in the house but whether it works outside is another matter, it'll take a lot of patience but he's well worth it.

I've added a couple of photos of my lovely boys.

Kind regards
Hunnyb22

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