How to teach recall to a dog
Recall is one of the basic commands your dog must respond to. Recall is part of a global learning of the commands your dog must learn: sit, down or stay.
Teaching your dog to recall will allow you to walk your dog in complete serenity and avoid that every walk turns into a chase!
Why is it so important to teach your dog to recall?
Even if nowadays it is mandatory to walk your dog on a leash, it is essential to teach your dog to come back. Indeed, you can let go of his leash without doing it on purpose, he can put his head through his collar too wide or you can want to let him run in a forest. And that's where it gets complicated!
If your dog doesn't obey when you call him, he's not only in danger, but he can also put others in danger. If he crosses a street, for example, he can be knocked down or cause an accident.
How to train your dog to recall is therefore an important and compulsory step that establishes trust between the master and his dog.
What to do before you start learning to recall
Before teaching your dog to come back, it is essential that he knows his name. This is the first step in any training method. In this regard, I actually recommend an effective method to easily train your dog: ➡ "Brain Training For Dogs".
Often the owners ask "my dog does not return to the recall", I do not understand. And it's often because he simply doesn't know his name well yet. If your son's name is Mathéo and you call him Pierre to give him an order, he won't react. It's the same thing with your dog.
To teach him his name, show him that you are happy every time he reacts. But be careful, for now, the goal is not to make him come. Once you think he's got his name down (if he reacts by turning his head, for example), say his name when he's busy. Until he responds each time, which will be a sign that he finally knows his name.
When you want to train your dog to recall, you must first plan where you will start training. At the beginning, it is best to plan a confined area without any distractions so that the dog is focused on his master and only on him. This can be a hallway, an enclosed garden or an isolated area.
Recalling a dog does not happen overnight. You can start by teaching him other basic commands that are easier, such as "sit". You only need 15 minutes a day to do this.
A trust will be established between you and your dog and you will be sure that your dog is capable of obeying. This is reassuring for owners in general who doubt their ability to train their dogs!
All you have to do is be patient and learn how to teach your dog to recall!
For the first few times, it's essential to start in a place free of distractions.
First, choose the word that you will use all the time when you recall the dog ("here", "heel", "come"). You should never change it. Have treats available.
Get him to sit and tell him to stay put and back away gradually.
Crouch down and give the recall command in a cheerful voice. You need to be persuasive, but most importantly, engaging. When he comes to you, reward him with a little treat, praise him and pet him so he knows you're happy. Don't hesitate to overplay your hand, even if it means looking ridiculous!
Repeat the exercise as often as possible.
Make training more difficult by repeating the exercise in a more crowded area where he may be distracted.
You think he is finally able to obey you in a place like a park? It's time to take the plunge and go for a walk with him and there are two solutions available to you. Either you have enough confidence in your dog and the space does not represent any particular danger and you can let him go or you keep him on a leash (preferably a retractable model) and you move back a few meters.
If you let him go, let him run around, have fun and wait for a moment of calm. Say his name and give him the command to come back. Once he's joined you, reward him!
You'll have to be patient and do it again and again, but you'll get there for sure!
Mistakes not to make
You are not a professional dog trainer and you may make mistakes in your efforts.
Never run after your dog to teach him to recall. He may think it's a game;
Never take recall for granted. Always remain vigilant;
don't repeat your call 100 times. If he doesn't come, it's because something is catching his attention. Wait a little while before calling your voice when training;
When training, don't call your dog for something negative (bath time, end of walk, or to scold him). Calling your dog back during training should always be positive;
do not punish him if he takes too long to come back;
Never change your expression when calling your dog.
What is a good recall? A good recall is when your dog comes quickly without you calling him 10 times.
Why doesn't my dog come back on recall? This may be because your dog is distracted by something else or has not yet learned the training.
Should I give my dog a treat at every recall? At first, yes. It's a method that works well. But don't turn yourself into a treat dispenser. Gradually, space out this ritual.
As with sit or stay training, teaching your dog to recall requires a lot of motivation and patience. It is best to teach your dog from a young age. But once the training is successful (and you will be), the walks will become a real moment of complicity between you and your pet.
