German Pointer

[JSA Aude]

We have had her since a puppy.  Walk on the lead to heel, last week walking to heel off the lead up in the vineyards, told she could run and did.  This last weekend has been a nightmare - will not come back when called - even to the extent (rather embarrasingly!!) of hubby passing the same person 6 times.  Took little biscuits in the pocket today, sat down in the mud (!), called in a friendly not nasty tone and she thought it all a big game. Came back but dashed off two feet in front of me.  Did try doing the same route again ie turning round,  have walked,called to no avail.  Is now in bed feeling very ? sorry for herself. Think tomorrow will take her on the usual 2 hr walk but on the lead.  Not fun for either of us but can't think of another option.  Thanks.  ps. she is 11 months old and I ended up with another person who asked if she could entrapper her, how embarrasing!!

[mossie]

Don't forget, she is still a baby really.  She might look physically grown, but is not mature mentally.  Also, she is at that silly adolescent phase.  Keep practising her recall in an enclosed area.  Try a whistle and treat routine (make sure you use something tasty like a piece of sausage).   Run a little exercise whereby you blow the whistle and then give a treat immediately when she is next to you, so that she comes to associate the sound with something tasty, then put her on a long piece of rope and keep doing this exercise.  I also have a GSP, and being honest, this works to an extent, but not always.  I find she is so ruled by her nose, that if there is something more interesting, I just can't get her back.  However I got mine as a rescue at a year old, completely untrained.  You should have much more success with your youngster.  Good luck.  (ps would love to see some pictures of her)

[Pads]

Always make coming back to you a treat , as a puppy in the house  we always open our arms call her in an excited voice and give her a hug and a play for coming then she is told to calm and sit then gets a biscuit. so when we are out side if we need her to come back and shes to far/ excited  to hear we just open our arms out and she comes running. never use this to trick her back for a telling off as she will remenber and learn from it, for telling off we point at the floor and tell her to come to the spot we are pointing at. which she will do very slowley, then just laughs at me when im telling off [:$] but i think some of it sinks in.