Woof! Bark! And also Whiiiiiiiiiine.

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SjohnA Nov 2020 12:53pm, 25 Nov 2020 208 posts	0 SjohnA A question for anyone out there: Since Luna was ill last month (it could also be related to moving to the countryside, not sure), her recall has become non existent! I have just let her off on the beach for a test and although she did come back in the end, it was after running what seemed like a mile down the beach and jumping in and out of the water!! Am I really gonna have to go back to square one with a long line? Any advice welcomed!
Wobbling Nov 2020 1:12pm, 25 Nov 2020 6,427 posts	0 Wobbling Does she like squeaky toys? Boots, typical lurcher, has inconsistent recall, tho when we use a toy squeaker it’s pretty much perfect.
SjohnA Nov 2020 1:16pm, 25 Nov 2020 209 posts	0 SjohnA Oh she will come back for a squeeky toy all right. Then does the largest circle around me when she gets near so I can't get to her LOL Today she was so far down the beach I don't think she could see me, let alone hear me. She just thinks it a big game! Maybe I need a dog whistle, but I still think at the minute she is just having too much fun without me!
Metro_Nome Nov 2020 1:28pm, 25 Nov 2020 5,833 posts	0 Metro_Nome Can't help with recall as Chester doesn't really have any yet- well, he does inside. but loses it pretty quickly once outside with all the fun new sights and sounds! another question from me... been getting a little bit of a fishy whiff from the wee man lately. wondering if he needs his anal glands doing? he's not really scooting or anything, is there anything else to look out for?
SjohnA Nov 2020 1:43pm, 25 Nov 2020 210 posts	0 SjohnA I would hold off on getting anal glands done unless definitely needed. It can cause them to need redoing. How are his stools?
Wobbling Nov 2020 1:44pm, 25 Nov 2020 6,428 posts	0 Wobbling Licking his bum a lot and nibbling his back near his tail are things we see Boots do when his anal glands are full. I think Boots anal gland problems were due to a grain allergy. We moved him to grain free food at the weekend after we thought he was going to need his glands doing for the 3rd time in 5 months. Early days, but he’s stopped licking his bum and isn’t scratching the rest of himself as much.
SjohnA Nov 2020 1:46pm, 25 Nov 2020 211 posts	0 SjohnA The reason I ask about the stools is that if they are not hard enough that can cause them to not get emptied when they go to the toilet.
Metro_Nome Nov 2020 2:31pm, 25 Nov 2020 5,834 posts	0 Metro_Nome He doesn't lick his bum but he does nibble his back legs and chase his tail (though he's always done that) He has a bit constipated the other day, but then went back to normal. he's just done a slightly runnier than normal one but in general they are a good consistency.
FergusG Nov 2020 3:00pm, 25 Nov 2020 4,064 posts	0 FergusG SjohnA - If you make the act of chasing you to be the game (i.e. run away from Luna whilst making your enthusiastic 'recall' command and squeaking/waving that toy), that might make a difference?
SjohnA Nov 2020 3:13pm, 25 Nov 2020 212 posts	0 SjohnA Thanks FergusG. I did try the running away method today but she just ignored it lol. It might be possible that she is just full of carbs at the minute as we had to change her food for her to gain weight after illness (finally seems to be working, gone from 12.4kg to 13kg today). Having a little google though it seems English Setters are notoriously bad for recall. I will go back to a long line for now and try some of the techniques you mention. Might even try a proper dog whistle.