Husky recall

[Embers]

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I have had my Husky x collie for almost a year now, got him as a rescue dog at 18months. No recall so did some 1-1 training with a behaviourist which was going very well until Thor scented a fox down an alley way just off the field/park we were walking him. He became obsessed with the alley way even if other side of the field he would suddenly just go, no looking back, no stopping!

Then at other places we were able to let him off he started to run off up steps from the beach, scaled a high cliff to get into a field of cows and started herding them. No barking or aggression.....just running around them to get them into a close group!

So now I can't trust that he won't run off as at times its taken anything from 10minutes to an hour to get him or find him. When on a training lead and focused he is still really good and shows how clever he is but I think his prey instinct is so high I will never be able to let him off lead like my other dogs. I completely understand and know this breed is notorious for bad recall but wondered if there is anything else I can try that I haven't thought of or should I just accept he is destined to be on lead?

 

[JoanneF]

Some dogs just can't be off lead. You can hire enclosed fields and suchlike for exercising dogs offlead. Or you could turn the situation around completely - have you thought of canicross or bikejoring?

 

[gypsysmum2]

I agree with JoanneF. It shouldn't stop you from keeping up the training and trying him in different places. I found, with my high prey drive dogs, that the beach (if you live near enough) is a good place to exercise off lead. Most high prey drive dogs find beaches really boring as there is very little to chase unless they become obsessed with seagulls!

Try googling "Manchester Dog Trainer/Diary of a Dog Trainer" it is a blog about how a dog trainer worked on her high prey drive dog.

On top of Joanne's suggestions you could also take a look at Talking Dogs Scentwork. It is not tracking it is more like drug detecting work. The dog is trained to find a chosen scent like cat nip or cheese. You stick to the one scent and it can be done any time any where as long as you have the scent article with you. Most dogs find it really tiring. Warning - it can be addictive!

 

[Embers]

Thank you JoanneF and gypsysmum2. I am lucky enough to have a local area which has an enclosed dog park where there is agility equipment and plenty of play mates but I still want to try and get the recall good enough to do off lead other places. The beach was working for a while until he decided to explore up the steps/paths off from the beach and at one beach he scaled the cliff like a mountain goat!!

I will definitely look up the suggestion of scent work as he enjoys hunting down treats/toys when I hide them in the garden. As for canicross etc, I can't do that but my son is hoping to try Thor with his skateboard (we have a harness) so fingers crossed that will go well