A reliable recall is arguably the most crucial command for any dog owner, ensuring safety and providing the freedom for your dog to explore. Whether you’re training a boisterous Border Collie or a more independent breed, mastering the recall is essential. This guide delves into the fundamental principles and practical steps to cultivate a “kick-ass” recall that both you and your dog will appreciate.
The Importance of a Solid Recall
Many dog owners struggle with getting their dog to respond when called, especially in distracting environments. This isn’t exclusive to working dogs; it’s a common challenge across all breeds and training levels. A strong recall is vital for your dog’s safety, preventing them from running into dangerous situations like traffic or chasing wildlife. It also allows you to manage their freedom, giving them a sense of autonomy within safe boundaries. Without a dependable recall, off-leash excursions become stressful and potentially hazardous.
Step-by-Step Guide to a Reliable Recall
Developing a bomb-proof recall involves a systematic approach, focusing on prevention, positive reinforcement, and gradually increasing challenges.
1. Prevention is Key
The best way to ensure a recall is to prevent situations where your dog learns to ignore you. If your dog has a history of ignoring calls to chase a deer or scavenge for discarded food, it becomes harder to compete with those high-value distractions. Start training in controlled environments where success is highly probable. Gradually increase the difficulty by moving to more distracting contexts only when you are confident in your dog’s ability to respond. Consider using a long line in the initial stages to maintain control while building confidence.
2. Set Your Dog Up for Success: Winning from the Start
Begin recall training in low-distraction settings, ideally with your dog close to you. The key is to make coming to you the most rewarding option. Use high-value rewards that your dog genuinely loves, which could include particularly tasty food, engaging play, affectionate praise, or the release to do something they enjoy, such as continuing a walk or working sheep. The Premack principle is a useful concept here: use a high-probability behavior (something your dog loves to do) to reinforce a low-probability behavior (like stopping momentarily). For instance, if your dog loves working sheep, pausing their access to sheep and then releasing them to work again can be a powerful reinforcer for coming to you.
Reinforcing the Turn
A critical part of the recall is the dog’s decision to disengage from a distraction and turn towards you. As soon as your dog shows any sign of shifting their attention, even a head turn or a single step in your direction, offer verbal praise or click your clicker. This teaches them that acknowledging you when distracted is the first step to good things.
3. Teach a Reliable “Stop” Cue
A complete recall involves several components: stopping the current activity, shifting focus to you, turning towards you, and coming all the way. Teaching a reliable “stop” cue is fundamental. Choose a cue that is short, emphatic, and can be delivered quickly. Practice this in various situations, gradually increasing distance and distractions. If your dog doesn’t stop, use a positive strategy like clapping to get their attention and running the other way, or a simple “Okay!” to acknowledge they are not responding and reset.
The importance of a trained stop has been highlighted in previous discussions, underscoring its role in emergency recall situations.
4. Consistency and Repetition
Never stop reinforcing the recall, even after your dog has become proficient. While not every recall needs a jackpot reward, occasional high-value reinforcement, especially in challenging situations, keeps the behavior strong. Practicing an emergency recall regularly, even when your dog is far ahead, ensures they remain responsive when it truly matters.
5. Be Realistic and Patient
Adolescent dogs, in particular, may seem to forget their training. This is a normal phase, and you may need to revert to more preventative measures and basic training for a period. Breed also plays a significant role; some breeds are genetically predisposed to respond to handlers, while others have more independent natures. Understand your dog’s breed tendencies and adjust your expectations and training accordingly.
6. Utilize Available Resources
Numerous excellent books, DVDs, and online resources can assist you in perfecting your dog’s recall. Don’t hesitate to seek out and utilize these tools rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. Experts offer valuable insights and techniques that can significantly aid your training journey.
7. Seek Community Advice
Engage with other dog owners and trainers to share experiences and learn from their successes and challenges. Understanding what works for different dogs and in various scenarios can provide invaluable perspectives and practical solutions for your own recall training.
A successful recall is a journey, not a destination. By applying these principles consistently and patiently, you can build a strong bond with your dog, offering them the freedom they deserve while ensuring their safety and your peace of mind.
