Teaching your dog to come when called, also known as recall training, is one of the most crucial skills they can learn. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and fun games to ensure your canine companion responds reliably when you call them.
What You Need to Teach “Come”
To successfully teach your dog the recall command, you will need a few key items:
- High-value treats: Small, tasty treats that your dog loves will serve as excellent motivators.
- A quiet, indoor area: Start training in a distraction-free environment to help your dog focus.
Steps for Teaching “Come”
The process of teaching recall is best approached in stages, gradually increasing the challenge for your dog.
- Introduction to the Cue: Begin by sitting with your puppy in a quiet space. Say their name or the cue word, “come.” Immediately after saying the word, give your puppy a treat. At this stage, your puppy doesn’t need to perform any action; the goal is simply to associate the word with a positive reward.
- Treats on the Floor: Place a treat on the floor near you. Once your puppy finishes the treat, repeat the cue word. When they look up at you, give them another treat.
- Increasing Distance: Repeat the previous step multiple times. As your puppy becomes more consistent, begin tossing the treat a little further away. Ensure that your dog can easily turn to face you when you say their name. Important Note: Avoid repeating your puppy’s name excessively without a response. If they don’t respond, move closer and revert to a previous step where they can succeed on the first try.
- Adding Movement: Once your puppy reliably turns to face you, introduce movement to make the game more engaging. Toss a treat, take a few quick steps away while calling your puppy’s name, and encourage them to chase you. This phase emphasizes the enjoyment of playing “chase” with you.
- Positive Reinforcement: When your dog catches up to you, offer abundant praise, treats, or engage them with a favorite tug toy. It’s vital to reinforce that coming to you is a highly rewarding and enjoyable experience.
- Gradual Progression: Continue building upon these steps in various new locations and with increasing distances. When training outdoors, always do so in a safe, enclosed area. Initially, using a long leash can be beneficial.
Important Considerations for Recall Training
When your puppy comes to you, avoid immediately reaching out and grabbing them, as this can be confusing or frightening for some dogs. For timid puppies, try kneeling, facing sideways, and offering treats as you gently reach for their collar. Never call your dog if you intend to punish them; this will teach them to avoid you. Regardless of any mischief they may have gotten into, always reward your dog heavily for responding to their name or the recall cue.
Kait Hembree, Head of Training at GoodPup, stresses the importance of keeping recall training fun. “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.” Dog recall training is a continuous process that benefits from consistent positive reinforcement.
Fun Games to Reinforce Recall
Incorporating games into your training routine can make learning recall even more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Can You Catch Me?
Take your dog for a walk on a leash. Get their attention, then turn and run the other way. As your dog begins to follow, 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 accidentally yanking the leash.
Hide-and-Seek
This is a delightful game for dogs and humans alike. Hide in another room and call your dog to find you. Once they locate you, reward them with praise and treats. This game is best introduced after your dog has a good grasp of the basic recall command.
Hot Potato
Gather two or more friends for this game. Give each person a high-value treat. Take turns calling your dog from one person to another, rewarding them each time they successfully come to the person who called. This variation of dog recall training helps generalize the command to different people.
Test Your 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 aged 3 months to 1 year, they must come when called from 10 feet away inside the house. Adult dogs, aged 4 months and older, must demonstrate recall from 20 feet away or from another room, whether indoors or outdoors. Mastering this skill is a significant step towards a well-behaved companion and can be crucial in situations like preventing your dog running out the door. Practicing these recall exercises regularly will greatly improve your dog’s responsiveness and safety. If you’re struggling with your dog’s tendency to bolt through doorways, understanding how to stop my dog running out the door is paramount. Remember, a reliable recall is a testament to your training efforts and your dog’s trust in you, ensuring they are safe in various environments, including preventing them from running out of the stop dog from running out door situations. Consistent practice and positive reinforcement are key to success in this vital aspect of stop dog running out door training.
