Rocket Recall

Recall...recall...recall....takes practice...practice...practice!

The reason dogs often don't come when called is because we tend to ask them to come when they are distracted, but we haven't taught them how to do that. The other reason is that we don't practice it enough that the dog is well rehearsed in the behaviour. Don't wait until your dog is running away from you to work on recalls. To teach your dog to come when called you must practice recalls in all kinds of situations where you can control the dog and teach it how to switch focus. If you practice recalls everyday for five minutes your dog will get really good at it!


When we teach our dogs to come we are teaching them to have an automatic physical and emotional response system to a verbal cue or noise (whistle, or even to their name). Good recall begins with name recognition and switch of focus. The dog needs to learn how to switch its focus to you from distracting situations and then recall. It is something that must be rewarding for the dog in order for it to become an automatic response. First you get the dog's attention (FIDO) and then you cue it to recall (COME) and of course when it comes toward you reward the dog with attention, praise, food and toys. Another really good reward for coming is getting to go back out and play! The word "come" must mean fun and games, so make it fun for both you and your dog!

This is a great way to teach your dog that the word "COME" is the most exciting and fun word it can hear. Use a helper to make it easier. One person holds the dog’s collar or leash while the other person hides. If you don’t have a helper, you can practice just calling your dog from another room any time you can wander off without it seeing or following you. Sit stays can work as well, but are more advanced training and you don't need to wait until you have a strong sit-stay to work on recalls.

Both people should stuff their pockets with great treats.  As soon as the person finds a fun hiding spot they should call the dog and encourage him with every step “FIDO, COME…good boy, come, good boy, good boy, good boy COME!”  Let him know where you are and make exciting noises. This excitement and encouragement gives him the motivation to find you and helps load the word COME.

When the dog finds you, praise him / her and give the pup a treat while your helper dashes off to hide. It is fun to do with family members because you want the dog to be excited to come to everyone in the house, not just the one person who does the training. Repeat this process.  In the beginning hide in easy spots, like just in the next room, as play continues choose more difficult places and greater distances. Then you will be able to transfer this training outside in the back yard or on a long line at the local park. The point is to have fun and enjoy, your dog will love it and will learn to love the game of COME!

RECALL GAMES:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIF9G2uk6Z0

Here is a video of me and my boy Miko doing our recalls while out on a walk...note the long line to assure he comes back to me. If he didn't I would move away from him and try to get him to chase me...or reel him in and highly reward him giving to the pressure of the leash and then release him to go sniff again. The games I play daily with both my dogs include lots of treats too!