Calling All Dogs! Does Your Dog Recall?
Oftentimes, a dog might think that coming when called means the party is over. Let's change that perspective and make the recall a total blast for both of you! You want your dog to sprint toward you the moment they hear that special word because you represent the ultimate reward.
To build this excitement, call your dog as you run away. As soon as your dog catches up, offer a twenty-second "jackpot" of high-value treats, delivered one small piece at a time. If your dog prefers play to food, a 20 second tug session with a novel tug toy can replace treats. The consistent pairing of your recall word with fun and food helps your dog develop a strong, positive Pavlovian association with their recall word.
Pssst! Don’t ruin that positive Pavlovian association by calling your dog to give them a bath, clip their nails, or scold them.
If your dog gets away from you and behaves as if he's never heard his recall word before, don’t panic! Here are some tried and true tricks to help.
Point to something on the ground.
Open a car door and ask if they want to go for a ride.
Remember not to scold your dog when they return. Instead, take note and use the training videos in the links below to build better recall reliability.
We hope you find this guidance useful. Building a strong recall takes practice. Practice “recall maxxing” before your dog's meal times for an easy way to maximize recall reps. After that foundational work, ask a qualified reward-based trainer how to cultivate distraction-proof recalls. Before you know it, your dog will have a rock star recall because coming when called means the fun is about to begin!
You can train with us in-person, via Zoom, or take our on-demand Behavior Buddies course to work on recalls and more!