lab training / behaviour

Question
Hi
We have just got a rescue boy aged 2 and 1/2.
He is a fine choc lab,neutered and chipped and rather boisterous which we dont really mind.
We have him partially trained to sit, stay and do wee wees which is does on command.
We need advice on letting him off the lead as he is reluctant to come back when we call him. We have tried treats,walking away from him while calling,waving his favourite toy etc but if he sees another dog or a person he is off to play and developes sudden deafness :)
I know he has a lot of puppy traits still in him,and we dont think he was ever allowed to play like a puppy.
We love him dearly and are prepared to tolerate his lack of recall skills as we would never give him up now :)
What advice can you offer regarding training him.
THANKS
Mary

Answer
"Come" needs to be taught as part of proper pack status and obedience. The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

Start with a good 6' leather leash and a sturdy slip collar, the metal chain ones with the rings on each end. You want the shortest one that will go on and off easily. If you walk with the dog on the left, pull the chain through one loop forming a "P". Facing it, slip it over its head. The free end should come over the neck to the leash, and the other end should drop slack when there is no pull on the leash.

With the dog at the end of the leash, call its name and "Come" in a firm voice. If it comes, praise it lavishly and pet it. If it doesn't come, repeat the command and give the leash a light snap. Keep it up with firmer leash snaps until the dog does come. Do not forget the praise. Then switch to a longer leash or rope, about 25'. When it comes well on the longer leash, you should be able to go to off leash in a fenced area, etc. Once the dog is doing well, introduce come, treat. This is for emergencies only when the dog has gotten loose accidentally. Use it routinely and you will have nothing to fall back on when your dog is headed for a busy street. "Name, come treat!" is little different from the regular "Name, come!", except the dog gets a great treat when it comes. We are talking a hot dog, cheese, etc. much better than any treat you use routinely.

Relying on come to control most dogs loose outside is risky, and I do not recommend it. Dogs are individuals. Some can be trained to come when you have no way to enforce it, but some will never be completely reliable even for the most experienced trainers.

Consider fencing the yard, either a conventional fence or the electronic ones. A tether is fine for short relief breaks with exercise coming from long walks on leash or in controlled areas like a dog park.