Effective Dog Recall Training: Simple Steps to Teach the Come Command
How to get your dog to come back to you
The recall is one of the most important commands, yet it is often the one that owners have the most problem with. Many puppies learn to come back to you very quickly and owners think they have that they have been successful in their training. However, most young puppies will stay with their owner – as a matter of survival! As soon as pups hit adolescence, the rest of the world is a whole lot more interesting than you are!
For the recall a dog must be trained when called to:
- Stop his current activity no matter how interesting it is.
- Turn in your direction and look for you.
- Take the decision to come to you rather than do anything else.
This is hard for any dog to do and is often the hardest command to train. You need patience and persistence and starting from a young age is a definite advantage. The worst mistake owners make is to let their dog off the lead, ignoring them until they want them to return. Whether the dog is running in the park, romping on the beach or playing with other dogs, the dog is learning that these good times do not include the owner. In the dog’s mind their owners ruin the fun by ordering the dog to ‘come’ and when they obey they are returned on the lead.
Training the recall
- Start recall training in a secure place such as the house or garden. Show your dog that you have a treat and move backwards a little way, encourage him to come to you, give him the treat, praise and do it again. In an encouraging voice introduce a command such as ‘come’ or ‘here’ and reward him when he comes to you. Prolong your dog’s pleasure in having responded to you, don’t just throw them the treat, break it into little pieces and give them to him one by one.
- When your dog is repeatedly coming to you start the recall training while he’s ambling about in the garden. When your dog looks up at you, call his name and say ‘come’. Praise him the whole time he is coming towards you. Take hold of his collar and treat him as he reaches you, then let go of the collar to let your dog wander off again. Repeat this a few times and then have a game. Build up the training to call your dog when he is looking away from you. You could use a squeaky toy to get his attention initially. Praise as he comes to you, hold his collar and give him a treat.
- If he doesn’t come back to you keep him on a lead and when he is facing you run backwards calling his name. Praise and reward him as he runs to you. When you are confident with this technique, practise it out on a walk on a long line, such as a training lead or a horse lunge reign. Practise running backwards so your dog is interested in chasing you! Praise him the whole time he runs to you, hold his collar and give him a treat. Practise again!
- When you feel that your dog is repetitively recalling you will have to take the plunge and let him off the lead! Let your dog have an initial run around and sniff then begin to practise the recalls. You need to call him back as he looks at you or stops what he’s doing. You’re much more likely to get a recall and you won’t have given your dog the idea that it’s okay to ignore you.
- Take out a ‘novel’ squeaky toy out on a walk with you. This is one that you never give to your dog so it remains of high interest. Praise as he comes back to you, remember to run in the other direction, calling him using a high pitched voice if he doesn’t return straight away, only ever praise him when he returns, however long it takes!
- Practise ‘puppy in the middle games’ and ‘hide and seek’ when out on a walk. Be sure to include plenty of fun recalls as part of your training, praising your dog every time they look up and ‘check in’ with you. If they start to wander off, go back a stage and use the long lead until they improve.
- If you have more than one dog it is essential to train them separately. You need to invest the required amount of time to train the recall otherwise your second dog will only defer to your first dog…not you!
Consistency and repetition is the key. Make games fun and be a part of your dog’s joy at being outside!
5 Top Recall Tips
- Start Early and Keep it Positive: Begin recall training as soon as you bring your dog home. Use positive reinforcement like treats, praise, or play to reward your dog when it comes back to you. This helps in associating the recall command with positive outcomes.
- Use a Consistent Command: Choose a specific word or phrase, like “come” or “here”, and stick to it. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same command to avoid confusing the dog.
- Gradually Increase Distances and Distractions: Start training in a quiet indoor space with no distractions. As your dog gets better at recalling, gradually increase the distance between you and add controlled distractions. Eventually, practice in different environments like your backyard or a park.
- Never Punish Upon Return: If your dog takes longer to return or gets distracted along the way, never scold or punish them once they finally come back. This might make them associate the recall command with negative consequences and make them less likely to return in the future.
- Use a Long Lead for Safety: When practicing recall outdoors initially, use a long lead to ensure your dog’s safety. This allows your dog to explore while still giving you control to guide them back if needed.
