One of the biggest reasons I found the level training system interesting was teaching the dog to behave properly off leash. Since I've started at level one, I can't take the dog to the park anymore (there's no point at this stage, she's terrible at walking on a leash too).

What can I do about my backyard? This will be her third summer here and she's hardly spent any time in her own backyard. We had an issue last year with a neighbour's cat pooping under a big tree that my dog would go roll in, but that's been solved. The biggest issue is getting her to come in when called. She's shown some success in the past, but only some.

Training her to come has been the hardest task to teach because of a combination of laziness and lack of helpers. But I've seen this dog regularly come when called from 100 yds away or more at the park so I really don't think it's a lack of understanding. I truly believe it's just not in her best interests to come inside.

I really don't like the idea of waving her inside with a sandwich or piece of pizza every time I want her to come in; do I have intermediate options other than training her? Is luring her inside ruining training in the future? Also, depending on the distraction luring doesn't always work anyways.

This cycle is mostly the reason she doesn't get to go out in the backyard very often. She won't come in when called, so I don't want to let her out there. All of a sudden two years have gone by where she isn't allowed out back. Is having a proper recall trained the only answer here?

Chris