The Secret to Having a Happy and Safe Dog: Recall Training 101
If you have a dog, you probably know how much they love to run and explore. But do you also know how to successfully recall them? This is what recall training is all about, and it's one of the most important skills you can teach your dog.
Recall training is teaching your dog to come back to you when you say their name and a cue word, such as "come", "here", or even a whistle. It's essential that all dogs have a strong and reliable recall before being let off the lead in a public place. Here are some reasons why recall is important for dogs:
Recall Keeps Your Dog Safe
The main reason why recall is important is that it can save your dog's life in an emergency situation. For example, if your dog escapes from their lead, runs out of the house or garden, or chases after something dangerous, such as a car, a wild animal, or livestock, you need to be able to call them back and trust that they will come back straight away.
A strong recall also means that you can take control of a situation and remove your dog before it becomes dangerous. For example, if your dog is playing too rough with another dog, or if they encounter an aggressive or fearful dog, you can call them back and avoid a potential fight or injury.
Action steps: To keep your dog safe, always use a lead or a long-line training lead with a harness when you are in an unfamiliar or busy area. Practice recall training regularly in different environments and with different distractions. Reward your dog generously every time they come back to you.
Recall Builds Trust Between You and Your Dog
Recall training is also important for building trust between you and your dog. When your dog learns to come back to you every time you call them, they are showing that they trust you more than anything else in their surroundings.
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and it's especially important for dogs. When your dog trusts you, they will be more confident, happy, and settled. They will also be more willing to learn and participate in training sessions with you.
- Action steps: To build trust with your dog, always use a positive and enthusiastic tone when you call them. Never punish or scold your dog for not coming back or for coming back slowly. Instead, praise and reward them for every successful recall. Make sure that the reward is something that your dog really wants, such as a special treat, a toy, or a game.
Recall Helps With Other Training Behaviours
Recall training is also a valuable foundational training behaviour that can be used as a building block for changing other emotional responses or teaching new skills. For example, if your dog has a problem with jumping on people, barking excessively, or pulling on the lead, you can use recall as the first step in getting their attention before asking them to do something else.
Recall training also helps with teaching your dog impulse control, which is the ability to resist temptations and distractions. For example, if your dog sees a squirrel or a ball, but they come back to you instead of chasing after it, they are demonstrating impulse control. This skill can help your dog become more calm and focused in any situation.
- Action steps: To help with other training behaviours, use recall as a cue to get your dog's attention before giving another request. For example, if your dog is barking at the doorbell, call them back to you and then ask them to sit or lie down. Reward them for doing those things, they’ll be more and more likely to repeat them again in future. You can also use recall as a way to end a play session or an exercise session with your dog.
How To Teach Your Dog Recall
Now that you know why recall is super important for dogs, you might be wondering how to teach it. The key to this training is to stay positive and make sure that the prospect of returning to you is always appealing for your dog. If they associate the recall with their lead going back on and the fun ending, or if you become visibly frustrated at them for ignoring you, they understandably won't want to come back.
Here are some simple steps to teach your dog recall:
1. Choose a cue word for the recall, such as "come", "here", or a whistle. Make sure you use the same word every time and say it with enthusiasm.
2. Start in a secure area in your house or garden, where your dog is comfortable and doesn't have too many distractions. Call your dog's name and the cue word and reward them with a treat or a toy when they come to you. Repeat this several times until your dog understands the word.
3. Gradually increase the distance and difficulty of the recall. Call your dog from different rooms, when they are playing with a toy, or when they are sniffing something. Always reward them for coming back to you.
4. Move to a more challenging environment, such as a quiet park or a field. Use a long-line training lead with a harness to keep your dog safe and under control. Call your dog from different directions, when they are running, or when they see another dog or person. Always reward them for coming back to you.
5. Keep practicing the recall as much as possible, in different places and with different distractions. Make sure you reward your dog every time they come back to you, even if it takes them a while or if they make a mistake. Never stop rewarding your dog for the recall, as this will keep them motivated and reliable.
If you follow these steps and practice regularly, you will soon have a dog that comes back to you every time you call them. This will make your walks more enjoyable, your dog more safe, and your bond stronger.
If you need more help with recall training, or if you have any other questions about your dog's behaviour, feel free to contact me at info@lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk or WhatsApp/call: 07476 903840. I'm a professional dog trainer based in Derbyshire, and I can help you and your dog achieve your training goals.
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Thanks for reading and happy training! 🐶
