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Teaching your dog to come when called is an essential skill that every dog owner should prioritise. Whether you're at the park, on a hike, or in your backyard, having a reliable recall can keep your dog safe and give you peace of mind. Here are 10 tips to help you teach your dog recall effectively:
Begin your recall training in a quiet and familiar space with minimal distractions. This will allow your dog to focus on you and the training process without being overwhelmed.
When teaching recall, it's important to use rewards your dog finds highly motivating. This could be small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or their favourite treats. The more enticing the reward, the more likely your dog will be to come when called. Check out Tasty Treats to help with training.
Choose a specific word or phrase to use as your recall cue, such as "come" or "here." Be consistent with this cue so that your dog associates it with coming to you.
Begin by calling your dog from a short distance, gradually increasing the distance as they become more reliable. This allows them to build confidence and success in their recall abilities.
Once your dog is consistently coming when called in a distraction-free environment, start practising in different locations. This will help generalise the behaviour and ensure that your dog responds to your recall cue regardless of the surroundings.
Always reward your dog when they come to you, even if it takes a little longer than expected. Positive reinforcement will strengthen the recall behaviour and make it more likely to occur in the future.
Never punish your dog for not coming when called. This can create fear or anxiety around the recall cue and make them less likely to respond in the future. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and making coming to you a rewarding experience.
Dogs have short attention spans, so keep your training sessions brief and enjoyable. End on a positive note, even if it means only practising for a few minutes at a time.
As your dog becomes more reliable in their recall, gradually introduce distractions into your training sessions. Start with mild distractions and gradually increase the difficulty level. This will help your dog learn to come to you even in the presence of tempting distractions.
E-collars can be a useful tool for teaching recall, especially in challenging situations. However, it's important to use them responsibly when used correctly, e-collars can provide a gentle reminder to your dog to come when called.
Remember, teaching recall takes time, patience, and consistency. By following these tips and being a positive and patient trainer, you can help your dog become a recall superstar!
Click here to learn more about the E-Collar Training
