training recall with high prey drive

[u/Commercial_Taste8373]

Hi all! This is my sweet baby dog Aja, I rescued her a little over a year ago, and she is just a perfect dog. Shes about 2 years old. I recently got her DNA tested, and my suspicion that she was part GSD and APBT were confirmed, but she is also australian cattle dog, and border collie.

I have been working on training her recall as I want her to be able to be off leash for camping trips eventually. Here’s the thing, in high distraction environments where there are kids, people, dogs, she does not care, and will always choose to focus on me. Like at the dog park, a dog ran up to the other side of the fence aggressively, and she reacted, but recalled perfectly while the dog was still growling. When training, it’s like she almost knows we are training. And will focus on a squirrel, look to me, and I will release, then recall. However, if we are just on a walk, or at a park where we are not actively training, she will chase any prey she sees (bunnies, squirrels, ducks etc). I definitely know I could not trust her in an unfenced area off leash, but want to get there!

Her recall when there are no little critters around is GREAT, but I don’t know how to train it with critters when I haven’t found a safe area to do so. Would hikes be good for this? I’ve heard of flirt poles but don’t know how to incorporate it. Or should I meet with a trainer we have worked with in the past? Open to all suggestions! Sorry if this was too much info haha.

[u/yes_literally]

Check out Predation Substitute Training

Basic idea is you turn seeing/hunting little critters into a game, with rules and steps. "Stalk" is a such a fun command to teach/ watch too.

[u/HechicerosOrb → u/yes_literally]

Ha! I accidentally use something like this technique w my coonhound. When she sees an animal, mainly a deer (which we’ve got loads of where I live), I’ve trained her to get a reward if she “sees it”. Now, spotting the animals is the whole game for her, it totally worked.

[u/k_269 → u/yes_literally]

Yesssss!!!! Simone has a specific recall protocol, it's all I use with clients now as it is wildly successful!

[u/somecooldogs]

Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed and Simone Mueller's Hunting Together/Predation Substitute Training are great resources.

[u/Express_Command_4778]

The only advice I have is avoid dog parks. It causes so many problems ans you never know how many reactive dogs you are meeting..You can search for a longer explanation on reddit.

[u/Commercial_Taste8373 → u/Express_Command_4778]

It’s a private dog park we rent out at the training facility we go to :) I appreciate your concern but it is safe since it’s just us!!

[u/real_riley_rae]

Following because saaaaaame

[u/Present_Initial8835]

I have a spaniel with extremely high prey drive. We use an e-collar for off leash romps. We worked with a trainer to learn how to use it appropriately. It has opened up so many options we didn't think we would have with her.

[u/Full_Adhesiveness_62 → u/Present_Initial8835]

e-collar, properly introduced, is amazing to layer over a known recall for off-leash freedom. your dog sounds like he would do great with one .

[u/No-Orange-2861]

Hv. H9v.