Hi Helen,
This all sounds very familiar (quite comforting to know we aren't the only ones!). Murphy is now nearly 14 months old and despite lots of training and recall work we just can't compete with pheasants, horses, cows, sheep, trailers and tractors to name but a few. It is particularly difficult at the moment because we are in the middle of the shooting season, so, although we do let Murphy off the lead we are always on red alert and if we know there are potential distractions he stays on the lead and we do lots of heel work. Our trainer has told us to make being on the lead fun by playing with him, but this also proves difficult because he is more interested in what is going on around him and hence he looks at us with complete disdain. It's as if he's saying "whatever".
Considering he follows us around at home and hates being left when we go out, it is a bit baffling why he completely ignores us when there is something better on offer.
If there is an answer I would love to know, but I think it is a case of persisting with the training and being sensible if you think they are at any risk.
We had a lovely walk this morning actually, where he was on the lead for part of it, then I put him on an extendable lead (probably cheating a bit!) and he also had a little run off the lead so it was good for both of us.
Certainly, everyday is an adventure!
