My 12-month-old aussie has zero recall when we're outside. She'll come inside the house but outside she just runs off and ignores me. I've tried calling her ove

πŸ“‹ Training guide β†’πŸ• australian shepherd guide β†’

🐾 Coach Answer

Calling her over and over is poisoning the cue. She's learned that 'come' means nothing because you say it when she's already committed to ignoring you. Stop using the word entirely for two weeks. Start over with a new cue β€” use her name, or a whistle, or 'here' β€” and only say it when you're 90% sure she'll comply. Practice in your yard on a long line (20-30 feet). Let her sniff and explore. Call her once. If she doesn't turn toward you in 2 seconds, gently reel her in with the line and reward her when she reaches you anyway. You're teaching the pattern: cue β†’ move toward handler β†’ good thing happens. Repeat 50 times over a week. Then add distractions: practice near other dogs, near the park, near anything interesting. Never off-leash until she's responding 95% of the time on-leash. Aussies have high prey drive and will chase anything that moves. If she's already sprinting after a squirrel, recall won't work. You need to call her before she locks onto the target.

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