Hi all,

We have a new puppy, a gorgeous long coat german shepherd. We picked her up last Saturday in SA and flew with her back to Vic. She is a beautiful girl and is settling in exceptionally well. She is 15 weeks old and she spent a month in another home but the breeder asked for her to be returned because the first owner was calling to complain that she was too skinny... but refusing to feed her more than once a day!! Anyway, she's a great dog, very calm, not mouthy, very gentle with all the kidlets. She has got the hang of 'sit', 'down', 'no' and gently' - pretty clever, huh?? BUT we are struggling with recall. We live on 2.5 acres and she has discovered the alpaca's next door and is quite obsessed with them. She constantly runs to the fence which borders the alpaca's paddock and she won't come back when I call her. Same thing if she sees some ducks on the dam or spots the chickens out in the coop. I know she is only a puppy, I get it that the other animals look like good fun, but I'm not sure how to get her to come when I call. She is not very food driven (makes it hard to get weight on her!) so offering a food reward is pretty useless, we are currently rewarding with praise. I don't want to chase her and turn it into a game, but I need her to recall when I call 'come'.

We are starting obedience school on Sunday, but I thought some of you lovely BB ladies might have some experience and advice. TIA.