Come here! Tips to improve your dogs recall

It is important to teach your dog “reliable recall”, a 99.9% success rate in your dogs excitement in returning to you. This is 99.9% because you can never 100% predict your dogs behaviour[1].

In order to train your dog recall, you would need the following equipment:

- Treats (a mix of low and high value treats). Always increase the value of the treats as you advance.

- Clicker or word cue1.

- A longer than usual leash to allow a safe distance between you and your dog (do not use a retractable leash)[2].

- Head halter or front harness[3].

Start slowly in a low distraction environment (i.e. home). Show them the reward and praise them as they come towards you, treat as they get to you. After enough practice, build in the cue “come” when your dog looks at you and comes towards you (only when it is clear your dog is coming to you).

The next step: ask your dog to come before they start moving towards you – do not let them see the treat. Continue to add distance between you and your dog as they progress. Make sure you move around the house and continue to add distractions (family, toys, or pets) so that they get comfortable with recall in different areas[4] When you are confident, you can take your dog into safe areas outdoors (an enclosed field). Start recall with your dog on a leash about a meter or two long and as you gain confidence, begin using a longer leash – up to about nine to ten meters away. You can then begin to add distractions when in an outdoor setting (go to places where you know your dog may see a squirrel, another dog, or people they want to greet) – start with small distractions and slowly add higher-level distractions. If you decide to do unleashed recall outside your home, repeat these steps slowly outdoors only when you are confident of your dogs reliable recall. Practice recall daily on your walks to keep it fresh in your dogs mind[5].

Common training mistakes include:

- Only call your dog when you plan to put them on a leash and take them home. Rather use recall as a game more times with treats and release than when you recall to go home[6].

- Damage the cue. Do not repeat “come” over and over when your dog ignores you, it will take away its importance. You will need to find a new cue if this occurs.

- Never punish your dog for not coming when called, it will make them less willing to come in anticipation for punishment.

[1] Lowrey, S. 2019. Come! Tips For Training A Reliable Recall. Availabe from: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reliable-recall-train-dogs-to-come-when-called/#:~:text=Trainers%20will%20often%20throw%20around,will%20listen%20to%20your%20cue. (Accessed 20 April 2021) [2] Madison, S. 2021. Reliable Recall: Teach Your Dog to Come When Called. Available from: https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-teach-your-dog-to-come-when-called (Accessed 20 April 2021) [3] Petplan. 2021. ‘Here, boy!’ – how to improve your dog’s recall. Available from: https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/dog/advice/dog-recall-training/ (Accessed 20 April 2021) [4] Madison, S. 2021. Reliable Recall: Teach Your Dog to Come When Called. Available from: https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-teach-your-dog-to-come-when-called (Accessed 20 April 2021) [5] Petplan. 2021. ‘Here, boy!’ – how to improve your dog’s recall. Available from: https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/dog/advice/dog-recall-training/ (Accessed 20 April 2021) [6] Petplan. 2021. ‘Here, boy!’ – how to improve your dog’s recall. Available from: https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/dog/advice/dog-recall-training/ (Accessed 20 April 2021)