Good dog news of the day: I took Cajun to our usual outdoor ice rink for some fetch over my lunch break. Unfortunately this city probably doesn't intend on people using these for dog exercise, so the rink does not have a gate and there is a good 8 or so feet of just open space between the boards. Normally this isn't an issue and Cajun has never even made an attempt to exit the rink, however today she was tempted... probably because there were kids playing on the playground behind us. I also normally have her drag her leash while we're there, just in case, but of course today was the first day I took her leash off because "it's never been an issue!"
Anyway, at one point I was a bad owner and was looking at my phone and out of the corner of my eye saw her trotting out of the rink with her tennis ball in her mouth
After thinking all sorts of unpleasant words, I shouted for her to come and wouldn't you know it.... that dog whipped right around and came running back to me. And then promptly dropped her ball at my feet like this was all just part of the fetch routine.
Needless to say, I jackpotted the hell out of her with treats and then we pranced around together. I don't think the preschoolers and their teachers would have appreciated my ferocious Doberman coming at them
And I am glad the ice rinks by my house have gates that shut!!
We haven't done a TON of work on recall but I've been pretty good about only using it when I know she's going to respond, and making it super fun for her when she does. Guess we're on the right track.