Practical guide to improving your dog’s recall

Recall is one of the most important commands your dog can learn. Not only does it keep your dog safe in dangerous situations, it also strengthens the bond of trust between you and your pet. A good recall means your dog will come back to you immediately, no matter the distractions or the environment. Here are detailed steps and tips to improve your dog’s recall.

The basics of recall

• Choose a clear command word : Use a specific and unique command word like Batman, bacon, stat, fly etc. This can also be a word in another language or even a word without meaning. Avoid words that you use frequently in other contexts so as not to confuse your dog.
• Use Motivating Rewards : Find what motivates your dog the most. For some it will be treats, for others it will be a favorite toy. The rewards should be enticing enough that your dog will want to come back to you. And most importantly, it should be a special reward that the dog gets just for his recall word.

Steps to Teaching Recall

1. Start in a controlled environment : Practice in a place without distractions, such as inside your home or in your yard. Do not keep your dog on a leash.
2. Using the Reward : Do not lure the dog before saying the word. The recall word should be said without the dog expecting to be trained. Say the word ONCE in a cheerful manner. If your dog does not respond, encourage him by clapping your hands while happily saying “yay yay, beautiful dog!” Once your dog is in front of you, give him his reward while celebrating. Repeat this exercise several times a day until your dog associates the command word with the behavior of coming back to you and a reward.
3. Gradually increase distractions : Once your dog is consistently responding to recall in a quiet environment, start adding distractions. Practice in slightly more distracting places, like your yard with a few toys scattered around, and then in parks.
4. Use a lead : When you start training outside, use a lead to give your dog more freedom while still maintaining some control. This allows you to recall your dog even from a greater distance.
5. Be patient and consistent : Consistency is key to all training. Practice recall every day and be patient. Some dogs learn faster than others, and it is important not to get discouraged.

Advanced techniques

• Incorporate play into training : Turn recall into a game. For example, hide and call your dog, then praise him when he finds you. This makes training more fun and stimulating for your dog.
• Never punish when recalled : If your dog is slow to return or does not return immediately, never scold him once he does. This could create a negative association with the recall. Always be positive and encouraging.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Dog Ignores Recall : If your dog ignores you, go back to an earlier stage of training with fewer distractions. Use more appealing rewards and make sure the recall is always a positive experience.
• Dogs are easily distracted : Practice recall in the presence of progressively increasing distractions. Practice in mildly distracting environments first before moving on to busy places.
• Dog Won’t Stay : If your dog comes back but doesn’t stay near you, this shows a lack of engagement in general. The solution is to reward your dog’s attention and stay engaged with him when he’s off leash (play, be interesting, do random recalls, ask for commands from time to time, etc.)

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