Teaching your dog to reliably come when called, also known as the recall command, is a fundamental aspect of dog training. While it might seem straightforward, many dog owners struggle with maintaining this command as their dog matures or encounters distractions. This guide offers proven strategies to establish and reinforce a strong recall, ensuring your dog responds every time, no matter the situation.
The Golden Rule of The Recall: Enforcement is Key
The most crucial principle in training a reliable recall is to never utter the command “come” unless you can absolutely enforce it. The goal is to instill in your dog that responding to your call is not optional. This is achieved through consistent practice and positive reinforcement, making the recall a deeply ingrained habit.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Gradual Exposure to Distractions
Consistent practice is the cornerstone of a strong recall. Begin in a low-distraction environment, such as your home, with your dog on a leash. Once your dog demonstrates a 100% response rate, gradually increase the distractions. Move to practicing in your neighborhood with the leash still on, as the increased environmental stimuli require reinforcement.
As your dog becomes more reliable in the neighborhood, progress to using a long line (a long training leash or clothesline) in a park setting. The park offers even more distractions, so reintroducing the leash or long line is essential. This pattern of increasing distractions and reinforcing with a leash or long line helps your dog generalize the command to various environments. Aim for several short practice sessions per day, focusing on 10-15 recalls each.
Positive Reinforcement: Make Coming to You Rewarding
Ensure that exceptionally positive things happen when your dog successfully comes to you. Offer high-value treats, engage in a game of fetch, or shower them with enthusiastic praise. Equally important is allowing your dog to return to their previous activity after receiving their reward. This teaches them that coming to you does not signal the end of their fun. Call your dog, reward them, and then release them back to sniffing that interesting bush or playing with their toys.
Preventing the “Recall Dance”
A common frustration for dog owners is when their dog approaches but stays just out of reach, playfully evading attempts to grab them. To prevent this “recall dance,” teach your dog that “come” means to come all the way to you and allow physical contact, specifically with their collar. During training, call your dog, and make a point of touching their collar before offering the reward. Alternatively, you can train “come” to mean “come here and sit by my side.” Both methods effectively prevent the dog from learning to evade capture.
Strategic Recall Usage: When to Call and When Not To
Avoid calling your dog off-leash unless you are at least 90% confident they will respond. For instance, if your dog is engrossed in playing at a dog park and you know they won’t come, do not repeatedly call them. This teaches them that “come” is optional. Instead, walk over and gently retrieve them yourself.
When using a long line, if your dog is distracted by other dogs, you can issue the “come” command and gently reel them in if necessary. Reward them upon arrival, then allow them to return to their play.
The Other Golden Rule: Never Punish with a Recall
Under absolutely no circumstances should you ever call your dog to punish them. Whether you are angry, tired, or frustrated, using the recall command to yell at your dog or force them into their crate will damage their trust. Your dog will not understand they are being punished for a past transgression; they will associate the punishment with the act of coming to you.
Similarly, do not call your dog if you are about to do something they dislike, such as bathing or crating them for an extended period. This will have a similar negative effect to punishment, making them wary of responding to your call in the future. In these situations, it is best to go and retrieve your dog yourself.
Recap for a Reliable Recall
To summarize, establishing a strong recall involves:
- Frequent Practice: Train often in situations where you can enforce the command.
- Gradual Distraction Increase: Start with minimal distractions and progressively introduce more challenging environments.
- Strategic Calling: Avoid calling your dog when you anticipate they will ignore you.
- Positive Association: Ensure that coming to you is consistently associated with positive rewards and experiences.
By consistently applying these pointers, you will undoubtedly see significant improvement in your dog’s recall. Happy training, and good luck!
