5 Steps to Perfect Dog Recall

ign="center">him and perfect the recall. If he focused on
Are you fed up with your dog ignoring you when yousomething and is locked onto it for example a
call him? Does he focus on everything around him butsquirrel, wait for an appropriate change in his body
you?language where he is not so focused and then call
It can be very frustrating when you are in a doghim.
park or in a public place and need your dog to come· When you are ready, take your dog to an
back to you, and you end up running after him andarea in the dog park where there are other dogs. Let
repeatedly calling his name to no avail. This ends uphim go and greet the other dogs but keep an eye on
making your trip to the dog park a negativehim. After a short time and when he is not so
experience for you both.involved and focused in his actions, call him and run
The secret to the perfect “come”away in the direction that you want him to come. He
command to recall your dog.will certainly want to follow you to see what is so
· At first practice this exercise in your house orexciting, that you are running towards it. Make it a
back yard. Start by recalling your dog when he isbrilliant experience every time he catches you up and
approximately 3 feet away and reward him with agive him lots of praise. Do this every time you teach
really good treat – e.g. fresh chicken ora recall.
something you know he really cannot resist. RepeatNever be predictable: In the park, try not to walk in
the exercise when he is 6 feet away and again 12one direction with your dog running ahead of you all
feet away. Gradually work up to recalling your dogthe time. Although this may be the most usual way
from another room in the house and reward him withpeople walk their dogs, it only teaches him that you
his favorite tasty treat. Practice this exercise for awill follow him and not the other way around.
few weeks to really get him to the point where youYour dog should have no idea what way you are
are happy that your dog comes when called eachgoing to turn next. That way, he will always keep an
and every time.eye on you.
· Now take it to the next step by taking yourDo not chase your dog: Some owners actually chase
dog to the dog park. Put him on a long line by using atheir dog, which teaches him to run away from them,
training lead or an extendable lead, which will let himrather than towards them. Not only is it embarrassing
think that he has a good run then, put into practicefor you when you cannot possibly catch him, it also
your recall when he is still on the training lead. Eachteaches him that he can run faster than you can,
time that he comes back to you give him his favoritesomething he should never know.
treat and then send him away again. Your dog willUse a whistle: If you do not have a strong voice or
get very wise and will know that at some stage heare in a busy environment where you think your dog
will be called back to be taken home. By letting himwill not hear you, it is a good idea to have a whistle
go after recall each time, you are telling him thatwith you. It can be used in place of your voice but
coming back to you is great because he not onlythe same method of recall rules apply as explained
gets a reward but he gets to go and play again!above.
· Do not show your dog that you are frustratedEnjoy your time with your dog off leash and with the
with him when he does not want to come back toconfidence of knowing he will come back to you
you even if you have called him numerous timeswhen called!
because in his mind why would he want to comeAuthor: Sam Carter
back to you if you are angry with him. Your bodySam Carter has produced a Dog Obedience e-book
language should be calm, as he will pick up on this.that will help solve the most common dog behavior
· When you feel confident that your dog hasproblems quickly and easily, thanks to powerful insider
mastered the recall and you are both comfortableinformation, thousands of dog owners worldwide
with the end result, move onto letting him off inhave been successful with their dog training and
areas where there are no dogs around to distractsolved their dog's behavior problems.