Learning to come when called, also known as recall, is one of the most crucial skills your dog can master. This ability not only strengthens your bond but also ensures their safety in various situations. However, teaching a reliable recall can be a challenge, as dogs are naturally drawn to the many interesting things the world has to offer. Every time you call your dog, you’re asking them to disengage from their current activity, making it a request that requires significant trust and training.
Essential Tools for Recall Training
Before you begin, gather these simple yet effective tools:
- High-Value Treats: Use small, soft treats that your dog absolutely loves. These should be more enticing than their regular kibble.
- A Quiet Training Area: Start in a distraction-free environment, such as a quiet room indoors, to help your dog focus solely on you and the training.
Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching “Come”
The process of teaching recall should be gradual, positive, and rewarding.
- Introduction to the Cue: Begin by sitting with your puppy in your chosen quiet space. Say their name or the command word, “come.”
- Initial Association: Each time you say “come” or your puppy’s name, immediately give them a treat. At this stage, they don’t need to perform any action; the goal is simply to create a positive association with the word.
- Building on Association: Place a treat on the floor near you. Once your puppy has finished the treat on the ground, repeat the process. When they look up at you after eating, offer another treat.
- Increasing Distance: Repeat step 3 multiple times, gradually increasing the distance you toss the treat. As you toss it further, ensure your dog can still turn to face you when you say their name. Important Note: Avoid repeating your puppy’s name excessively. If they don’t respond, it’s better to move closer and return to a successful step rather than repeating the cue in vain. Instead, move closer to your puppy and go back to a step where they can be successful at responding to their name the first time.
- Introducing Movement: Once your puppy consistently turns to face you, introduce movement to make the game more engaging. Toss a treat and take a few quick steps away while calling your puppy’s name. They should naturally want to chase you, as this mimics a fun game of tag.
- Positive Reinforcement: When your puppy catches up to you, shower them with praise, offer more treats, or engage them with a favorite tug toy. It’s crucial to emphasize that coming to you is a highly enjoyable experience.
- Generalization: Continue practicing these steps in different locations and at increasing distances. When training outdoors, always do so in a safe, enclosed area. Initially, using a long leash can be beneficial for added security.
Key Considerations for Success
As your dog progresses, keep these points in mind to ensure effective and positive training:
- Avoid Grabbing: When your puppy comes to you, resist the urge to immediately reach out and grab them. For many dogs, this can be confusing or even frightening, potentially creating a negative association with coming to you. If you have a timid puppy, try kneeling down, facing them sideways, and offering treats as you gently reach for their collar.
- Never Punish: Never call your dog to you if you intend to punish them. Doing so will teach them that coming to you leads to negative consequences, making them more likely to avoid you in the future. Always reward your dog heavily for responding to their name or the recall cue, even if they have misbehaved. This reinforces the positive connection to the command.
Kait Hembree, Head of Training at GoodPup, highlights the importance of keeping recall training fun and rewarding. “It is critical that we work to ensure a positive and highly reinforced connection to our dog’s recall cue by working to balance the fun with allowing them to at times return to what they were doing originally when we called them,” Hembree states. “Always rewarding for their immediate response when cued; and making sure that the value of their reward is worth what they walked away from to come to us.”
Fun Games to Reinforce Recall
Incorporate these engaging games into your training routine to solidify your dog’s recall:
“Can You Catch Me?”
- Take your dog for a walk while they are on a leash.
- During the walk, get their attention, then turn around and run the other way.
- As your dog begins to follow you, say “come!”
- After a few steps, stop and reward your pup with a treat or a toy. Note: Before running, ensure your dog is paying attention to avoid pulling them abruptly with the leash. This game is a great way to practice teach puppy to come when called in a playful manner.
Hide-and-Seek
This game is enjoyable for both dogs and their human companions.
- Hide from your dog in another room.
- Call out for them to find you.
- Once your pup successfully locates you, reward them with praise and treats. This game is best introduced after your dog has a solid understanding of basic recall.
Hot Potato
This interactive game is ideal for training with multiple people.
- Gather two or more friends, and ensure each person has a high-value treat.
- Take turns calling your dog between each person, rewarding them each time they successfully come to the person who called. This helps train your puppy to come when called in a more dynamic environment.
Test Your Recall Skills
Did you know that “come when called” is one of the ten essential skills required for both puppies and adult dogs to earn the Virtual Home Manners title?
- For puppies (3 months to 1 year): Your dog must reliably come when called from a distance of 10 feet away, indoors.
- For adult dogs (4 months and older): Your dog must come when called from a distance of 20 feet away or from another room, both indoors. Mastering this skill is fundamental, even for a stubborn dog to come.
For dogs who are older, you can still implement these techniques. Refer to our guide on training an older dog to come when called for specific strategies. Remember, consistency and positive reinforcement are key to helping teach your dog to come when called successfully.
