April 21, 2011
My 8 month old Mal really slams into me when we are working on recalls. He has knocked me down and hurt me a couple of times. What can I do to slow him down?
Full Question:
Hi,I have several of your tapes - they are excellent and I have learned a lot through watching them. I would recommend them to anyone.
My question is on the recall. I have read your training articles on the recall and no one has quite the same problem as I have with my 8 month old male 27 kg Malinois.
My problem is when I call him or even if he just sees me in the distance he will come at 100 miles per hour as fast - as he can and then doesn't stop in time and slams himself into me.
The obvious answer is of course to obedience train the dog, which I did. Then if I saw him coming in too fast I would run backwards, saying ?sit,? then he has the time to slow down and will sit in front. Unfortunately for me sometimes I would not see him coming until it was too late and he has knocked me right off my feet and hurt me quite badly a couple of times.
I am hoping you can suggest a way I could correct a young dog and really get the point across to him that I don't want to be used as a target or knocked down, but a correction or method that would not dampen the dog's drives or make the dog slow or hesitant coming in when called.
Here's to hoping my question doesn't end up in the dumb or dumber section!
Thank you for your help.
Amanda
Ed's Answer:
This is not a dumb or dumber question.
I think you need to have two different recall commands. One is only used on the training field and encompasses the formal sit in front of you. The second is a recall to just get the dog to come near you so you can grab him and hook him up. Use two different words for each command.
The formal recall is not something that you will use a lot right now. Keep the distances short and focus training on the dog coming square in front of you and working on the finish. Teach the dog to focus on a sit, to look into your face, and then toss the ball. Part of the time when he does the recall he gets the ball before the swing – then sometimes he gets the ball after the swing – so he does not anticipate the command.
As training distances on the formal recall increase to 50 yards – this can take 4 to 6 months, you can get verbal with him in corrections when he smashes into you. You have to be a little careful but I think you can let him know that this is not acceptable.
The second command allows you to turn and walk away from him as he bears down on you. This will force him to circle and you can get a hand on him.
I hope this helps.
I think you need to have two different recall commands. One is only used on the training field and encompasses the formal sit in front of you. The second is a recall to just get the dog to come near you so you can grab him and hook him up. Use two different words for each command.
The formal recall is not something that you will use a lot right now. Keep the distances short and focus training on the dog coming square in front of you and working on the finish. Teach the dog to focus on a sit, to look into your face, and then toss the ball. Part of the time when he does the recall he gets the ball before the swing – then sometimes he gets the ball after the swing – so he does not anticipate the command.
As training distances on the formal recall increase to 50 yards – this can take 4 to 6 months, you can get verbal with him in corrections when he smashes into you. You have to be a little careful but I think you can let him know that this is not acceptable.
The second command allows you to turn and walk away from him as he bears down on you. This will force him to circle and you can get a hand on him.
I hope this helps.
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