"There is nothing more important than teaching your dog a reliable recall, NOTHING...

I have to agree with this statement.

My relationship with Maia was really, really good. Her recalls were excellent everywhere until a few months back. Now at home, she is weary of coming to me. Why? Well, I think it is because I lost her trust. She had the beginning of what looked like a vaginal infection (lots of crusties and she was licking her self a lot) so I had to wash her with some silver, which she does not like. So ever since then, when I call her in the house, especially the kitchen, she is unsure why and will not come. Also, she does not like to be brushed, so she does not come when called just in case it is for a brushing. When we are away from the house, she has a 96% recall (the 4% is if she is chasing squirrels or cats) So, does this mean she does not love me? No, but I definitely know I have to build her trust back up in me and make me the 'best' and most fun person/thing so that she loves to come to me all the time, anytime and anywhere.

Chinook, he's reliable 96% everywhere (again, its the cats and the squirrels) But he is different than Maia - he's more calm and passive so allows me to do anything I want to him and he does not get upset with me. Maia, being more strong headed is different and wants things done on her terms more.
 
Yes, Ania, I think this is the hard part with dogs' reasoning.

When Cleveland was so sick in those last weeks and days, I had been giving him so much medicine and he just hated taking it because he was feeling so poorly, that he just didn't want much to do with me. He wouldn't come to me at all when I called. I had to go get him. It made me feel so badly because I had to give him the medicine and I had to do things he didn't want me to do and he didn't understand and just wanted to be left alone.

But in the last week when all hope was pretty much gone, then, then he just wanted to sit on the couch next to me with his head in my lap, so I think he did finally understand.

Ohhh owwww, that made me sad........

My point is that recall is about relationship, but what forgiving and understanding creatures our pups are.
 
I've actually picked up Susan Garrett's book Ruff Love some time ago but never got around to reading it. I started 2 nights ago and am thinking if I am to do it exactly as she says in the book, it will be tough-tough-tough!
Sigh. If only Romeo were as good outdoors as he is indoors! Juliet of course is a gem. She'll run like a bullet towards you even outdoors in a dog run.
 
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