A Guide To Building A Reliable Recall
Whistle While They Work: Building a Rock-Solid Recall for Your Dog
"Fido, come!" It's a phrase every dog owner dreams of shouting and having their faithful dog instantly appear, tail wagging, ready for a treat or a cuddle. But let's be honest, reality often involves a dog pretending they've suddenly gone deaf, especially when distractions are high!
Fear not, fellow dog lovers! A reliable recall is achievable with patience, consistency, and a sprinkle of positive reinforcement.
Let's dive into how to build a recall that's music to your ears (and your dog's!).
1. Lay the Foundation Indoors:
Start Simple: Begin in a distraction-free environment, your home is perfect, but don’t have any distractions around.
The Magic Word: Choose a clear, enthusiastic recall command. "Come," "Here," or even a whistle – consistency is key!
High-Value Rewards: Arm yourself with the tastiest treats or their favourite toy.
Positive Association: Say your chosen command, and the moment your dog turns to you, mark the behaviour with a "yes" or a clicker, and shower them with praise and rewards.
Short and Sweet: Keep training sessions brief and upbeat, ending on a positive note.
Choose a unique and distinct command, like a whistle or a specific word, for emergency situations.
2. Gradually Increase the Challenge:
Distance Matters: Once your dog is reliably coming to you indoors, gradually increase the distance between you.
Add Distractions: Introduce low-level distractions, like a toy or another person in the room.
New Environments: Move your training to different rooms in the house, then to the backyard.
3. Take it Outdoors (Safely!):
Long Lead Training: When you venture outside, use a long leash (15–30 feet) to maintain control. If you don’t have one, practise your recall cue on lead and see if your dog reacts to it.
Controlled Environments: Start in a fenced-in area or a quiet park with minimal distractions.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Regularly practice your recall in different outdoor settings.
Keep it Fun: Make recall a positive experience by using enthusiastic praise and high-value rewards.
4. The Power of High-Value Rewards:
Jackpot Rewards: For successful recalls, especially in challenging situations, use "jackpot" rewards – a handful of treats or their absolute favourite toy.
Vary Rewards: Keep your dog guessing by using different treats and toys to maintain their interest.
Life Rewards: Sometimes, the reward is the activity itself. Calling them back so they can be released to chase a ball.
5. Dealing with Distractions:
"Look at That" (LAT) Technique: If your dog is easily distracted, teach them to look at you when they see a distraction. Say "look" or "what's that" then reward them for looking at you. This can be used to help them disengage from distractions.
Distance is Your Friend: When encountering distractions, increase the distance between your dog and the distraction.
High-Value is Key: In high-distraction environments, use the highest-value rewards you have.
Don't Repeat the Command: If your dog doesn't respond, avoid repeating the command repeatedly. This can desensitize them to it. Instead, try moving away from them or making an enticing sound.
6. Never Punish a Recall:
Positive Reinforcement Only: Even if your dog takes their sweet time coming to you, never punish them when they finally arrive.
Build Trust: Punishing a recall will create a negative association and make your dog less likely to come to you in the future.
7. Maintenance is Key:
Regular Practice: Even after your dog has mastered recall, continue to practice regularly to maintain their skills.
Vary the Training: Keep training sessions interesting by changing locations and using different rewards.
Bonus Tip: The Emergency Recall:
Choose a unique and distinct command, like a whistle or a specific word, for emergency situations.
Train this command separately from your regular recall, using only the highest-value rewards.
Only use this command in true emergencies.
