Teaching Your Dog to Come When
Called: Recall Training Tips
Is your dog selectively deaf when called? 🙉 Teaching a reliable
recall is crucial for safety and obedience. With consistency and positivity,
you can train your pup to enthusiastically come when called.
Let’s review how to rock recall training!
## The Importance of Recall
A solid recall provides many benefits:
- 🐶
Retrieves your dog when they escape yards or break loose. Prevent losing your
best friend!
- 🚘
Calling them back prevents getting hit by vehicles if they slip outdoor gates.
- 👮
Prevents law enforcement hassles and fines if your dog is roaming loose.
- 🤝
Allows recalling out of fights with other dogs. Avoid injuries and lawsuits!
- 🚫
Stops counter surfing, cat chasing or other naughty behaviors from afar.
- 📵
Calling away from wildlife prevents dangerous interactions with skunks or
coyotes.
- 🏝
Safely summons them back when swimming or playing at unfenced lakes, rivers or
beaches.
- 👌
Improves reliability for off leash hiking and playing in designated areas.
Take recall seriously - it can save your dog’s life and
help them avoid lost pet facilities!
## Choosing a Cue
Use a unique word or short, perky sound consistently as
your recall cue. Keep it different from daily chatter.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- 🚫
Using your dog’s name - say that constantly in regular conversation.
- 🚫
Relying on “come” - widely used by strangers to call unfamiliar dogs.
- 🚫
Using cue words you may shout in anger or frustration.
- 🚫
Choosing phrases prone to misinterpretation like “back here.”
Make your recall the cheeriest, most exciting request
ever! Say it happily, never in anger.
## Prevent Teaching Selective Deafness
Dogs learn quickly what works to their advantage.
Avoid these common recall mistakes:
- ❌
Calling angrily when it’s
time to leave the dog park or end fun. That teaches ignoring you.
- ❌
Repeating cues over and over until you escalate to yanking on leashes. Reward
selective hearing.
- ❌
Calling once without motivation or incentive. Why should they bother?
- ❌
Letting them greet and play with other dogs after eventual recall. Reinforces
taking their sweet time.
Set your dog up to succeed!
## Nail the Premise
Start training recall in distraction-free settings
before working up to more challenging environments.
### Indoors:
- 🏠
Practice during calm times using happy tones and high value treats.
- 🥩
Reward every speedy response no matter how short the distance.
- ↕ Work on short and long
distances in various rooms.
### Backyard:
- 🏡
Use long lines to prevent wandering off as you call and reward recalls.
- 🥩
Randomly call them back inside for a jackpot of treats while playing.
- 🌳
Practice from behind trees and bushes - make coming fun!
### Walks:
- 👫
Use a harness and long line to reward response without letting them drag you.
- 🐕
Interrupt sniffing or greetings to “come” for a treat.
- 📨
Gradually work up to off-leash areas as success strengthens. Recalls improve
with maturity and bonding too.
Take it step by step in all environments. Avoid
scenarios they can blow you off until rock solid.
## Troubleshoot Common Problems
If your dog ignores, delays or avoids you,
try these fixes:
- 🤩
Make yourself wildly exciting! Run away squealing, wave toys, or kneel with
arms out.
- 🏃
Mix up direction changes and rewards so they follow your unpredictable energy.
- 👣
Kneel down. Large humans can seem intimidating. Remove sunglasses.
- 😞
Don't over-drill repetitively. Short, frequent sessions maintain motivation.
- 🍖
Use high-value "people food" rewards only for recall to increase
incentive.
- 🙅♀️ Address any fears, anxiety or
misunderstandings that make them hesitate to come. Seek professional help if
needed.
With patience and creativity, you can make coming fun
versus a chore!
A dog who rockets to you
in any situation makes every walk, hike and trip to the dog park safer and more
enjoyable. Put in the repetitions required to proof your recall against
distraction. A trained recall ultimately saves lives!
