Labrador Rescue

Well the "personal training" is working so well

Marley can runs off the lead in our local dog park and comes back to us!!

It's amazing how soon the re-call training worked. He's really good on keeping an eye on us and we've learned not to go after him but just walk away (it's hard at first but works wonders).
It's so lovely to see him running with the other dogs and he's getting good at judging who not to bother too

A very tired Marley

O'h bless him he's gorgeous , so glad to hear he is coming back when you ask, what a huge relief! Only taken me 3 yrs with mine

Ann x

I love that 'spreadeagled' look that they do when they're hot and want to get as much heat loss through their tums as they can

Sounds like he's coming on a treat now with his training - perseverance really does pay off doesn't it?

Isn't he gorgeous! Lovely to hear that he has come so far so quickly. Another clever Labrador

Great progress well done maybe you should share how you achieved it in case anyone else needs help

Good on ya Marley

Great photo.

Aw, he looks fantastic. Great to hear he is doing so well with his training.

He is a credit to you, MKF and of course to his handsome self!

Well done.

Andrea, Reuben and Skye xx

He is so adorable

Well done! You've done brilliantly in such a short time! He's gorgeous - what a handsome chap!
Mollie is obedient most of the time - that's why we call her Mollie Mostly - because she's mostly good and mostly obedient!

What a gorgeous boy Marley is - well done with the recall.



Love

Pat, Zach, Jake and Yogi

x x x x

Lovely update and pic

Love Michelle X

Glenys wrote:Great progress well done maybe you should share how you achieved it in case anyone else needs help

Glenys suggested I'd share Marley's recall training.

I'll try....
We started off going to our local dog classes but Marley being a typical Lab he wanted to play with the other dogs in his class, not sit nicely on the lead listening to teacher.

After weeks of leaving there frustrated we asked our Vet for advise after Marley was discharged after his castration.

They suggested a local dog trainer (Lisa) who specialises in one to one training.
We have made so much progress after starting training with her (mainly us being taught how to teach Marley). We've only had 3 or 4 lessons so far but feel like we've made huge progress (even our neighbours have commented on how much calmer he is).

Lisa introduced us to clicker training first.
We then started with recall training on a long training lead in some empty tennis courts. We would put him by the fence then make him sit and wait, walk away (facing him) and calling him, once we knew we'd reached the end on his lead. He would then get rewarded by a huge fuss and play with his favourite Mallard toy (this toy is normally kept hidden so he only gets to play with it when we're out and he comes back to us!).
We repeated this until he understood that coming us was great.
Repeated the same process off the lead (but still in the tennis courts so he couldn't run-off or get distracted).
We then did some "follow-us" training. We'd walk him off the lead (in the tennis courts) and change direction as soon as he wandered off. As soon as he came back to us he'd get a click and tasty treat. This seems to be working really well.

We've now continued this (without Lisa) out on the dog park and it really works (scary the first time). He keeps an eye out for as and follows if we change direction.
He's having a great time on there as there are always dogs to play with and have a tumble and chase around with. He's getting good at judging who to play with and who to be submissive to. (fab to watch).

It's such a great way for him to learn of other dogs and to get fitter (he was so breathless after the first run-out!!). It's interesting to see how different the dynamics are between the dogs when they are off the lead. Marley used to almost box with some other dogs when on the lead, but off the lead he just runs and plays with them. He loves his daily walks to the dog park and sulks if we walk they other way

I can thoroughly recommend getting a "personal trainer". Ours was trained by the institute of modern dog trainers.

If any of you leave near the south of Manchester I can highly recommend Lisa she gave us the Marley we knew he could be (and deserves to be). We're still amazed on how quickly we've progressed.