training Jake to come to me

Question
acquired jake 3+ weeks ago...he's estimated to be about 3 yrs old..is mix breed beagle-basset.. (a bagle?) 100% hound, has nose to ground except when sleeping...was a stray in pretty good health..i can only assume he wandered off..he was incarcerated in the chester, sc animal shelter...he's now living in charlotte, nc; a most urban single family neighborhood 28209..my hood for over 50 yrs...yes i'm retired on a good income with good health, good wife of 46+ yrs..3 grown children..which have beget 6 grand children... jake is humble, friendly to all people and dogs..he like to lead me...we are working thru that..started whistle for food or treat.. some success..when he's tracking not to effective...he's gun shy..and no stranger to whistle. your thoughts are solicited..

Answer
Hi Bill.  Teaching a recall to a dog who doesn't have a clue should begin in a distraction-free environment.  Go to the most boring, smell-free room in your house and close the door.  Take some really good, soft, smelly dog treats with you (no bigger than a pea).  Each time Jake makes eye contact with you, say "YES!" and toss him a treat to find on the floor.  His reward is two-fold - the sniffing to find the treat AND the food itself.  Do this in a few short sessions during each day.  I'd say no more than 10 repetitions (treats) during one session.  We don't want him to get bored.  We want him to want more!

Once you are getting repeated eye contact with him and he understands the game, you can move to the next step.  Go to the same room with your treats, and say his name - one time, clearly and distinctly.  If he turns his head to look at you, say "YES!" and HAND him the treat - he should come back to you to get it this time.  If he DOESN'T turn his head, make some other sound to get his attention (smoochy sound, whistle, etc), but do NOT repeat his name.  If he responds to the sound, mark the head turn with a "YES!" and have him come to you to get the treat.  Once he's eaten that treat, you can toss him another one one the ground so he can hunt for it.  After he's found that one, say his name again and repeat the sequence.  Repeat this name game until he's responding each time to his name by turning and looking at you when he hears it.  Again, keep these sessions short and end before he gets bored.  

Be sure he's hungry when you do this training.  If his belly is full, he may not be as successful.

Once you have a great name response in your "boring" room, take it to another room in the house, then take it to the back yard, then the front yard, then on a walk.  Spend sufficient time in each place so you have a high success rate (at least 8 out of 10 times you call him, he responds).  If you feel like the behavior breaks down once you get outside, go back to your last successful place and train there some more.  Allowing him to sniff should always be part of the reward sequence.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the process!  Good luck!