As I’ve mentioned, training recall using positive methods such as Walking Recall is a long-term project, but Lightning’s recall is coming along.

Besides Walking Recall, one of the scenarios we’ve used a long line for is calling Lightning away from one of his dog or human friends even in the middle of an initial greeting, when Lightning typically goes crazy, acting as though the dog or person is some long-lost companion he feared he’d never see again. For that scenario and others we’ve trained, I no longer need Lightning on a long line to call him to me. 

For example, in a video I took today, Lightning is released from my side to visit his friend and my training assistant Peter, who has just parked his car in the driveway. In the middle of Lightning’s enthusiastic greeting, I call him back to me. He responds instantly and comes to heel, a nice performance that I reinforce by releasing him back to visit Peter again. Here’s the video: