How to Teach Your Dog To Come When Called, Even Around Distractions!
We all envision our dog charging full speed ahead toward us every time we call them. A dog that promptly comes when called, regardless of the environment, is extremely useful and can keep them safe in emergencies.
Sometimes, we see dogs that are completely tuned out to their guardian calling them over and over again. Other times, we hear about the dog that will look up for a second, see you don’t have a treat in your hand, and just keep going about their business.
If you’re looking for a quick recall, keep reading!
Why Your Dog Doesn’t Come When Called
Not coming when called is a common reason people reach out to us for training. Here are the more common reasons our clients experience:
Your dog hasn’t generalized the training. This means they don’t know how to respond to your cue in various environments. You can learn how to proof your dog’s training Here
You’ve associated your recall word with ending playtime, going inside, or being confined. You’ve created a negative association with the cue by following up your recall with an activity that isn’t pleasant or desirable for your dog. They’ve learned you call them, and playtime is over.
You aren’t rewarding them enough. Asking a dog to leave playtime, sniffing, or doing dog things is tough. If they’re making the right choice to run to you, they should get a fantastic reward! Think of high-value treats like chicken, salmon, cheese, or leftovers.
You call them too frequently. Recall can quickly become frustrating if you’re repeatedly interrupting your dog when they’re doing dog things. If you’re looking to practice recall, dedicate training time to recall and then give your dog a break from calling them to you.
How to Teach Your Dog to Come When Called
If your dog isn’t responsive to your current cue, pick a new one! We want a fresh start! You can use words like here, come, back, hurry, and right now…some people even pick fun words like Accio from Harry Potter. Feel free to get creative!
You’ll start by pairing the word with a high-value food. Remember, we want this to be a very high-reward behavior. Kibble or training treats aren’t enough, even if your dog is considered a high-food-drive dog. Use high-value food like chicken, beef, hot dogs, or fish. Some dogs love peanut butter and cheese, too!
Start in a quiet, distraction-free environment. With your dog right in front of you, say your recall word, then immediately deliver some food to them.
You’re going to do this several times and then gradually increase the distance between you and your dog. As your dog eats, take a small step back and then say the recall word. Give your dog food after they step towards you. Continue taking 1-2 steps back, saying the recall word, and delivering food.
You can add distance by dropping several pieces on the ground for your dog to continue eating as you take steps backward.
Adding Distance and Speed
Before expecting your dog to come running around distractions, we want to build a reinforcement history and reliable speed and focus on you when your dog hears their recall word.
Using this exercise in a hallway, you can improve speed, add distractions, and add distance.
You will start at one end of the hallway and toss food away in a bowling motion. Start just a few feet away, so your dog is set up for success.
With your dog facing away from you eating their food, say their recall word, and bowl the food out again when they get to you. We’re looking for a sharp focus on you and running back to you. You can give praise and pets when they get back to you before tossing the food again.
Continue this exercise and add distractions like toys on the ground, doors open, noises, people moving out of the hallway, etc.
Proof Your Dog’s Recall Indoors
With your dog in another room, prepare some high-value treats. Place them in a container on a shelf where your dog cannot smell or see them.
When your dog returns to the room, let them go about their activities.
Being close to the treat container, say your dog’s recall word in a happy, excited voice! Give your dog food as they get to you with lots of praise or petting they enjoy.
Let your dog settle back into their activity, move the food container, and try again a few minutes later.
If your dog doesn’t respond by coming towards you, give them a little encouragement and still reward them when they get to you.
You can continue proofing this training by being out of sight when you call them, adding toys, people, or other distractions.
We want to ensure your dog can come running toward you 100% of the time before we move outside, so get creative with your distractions!
Recall Your Dog Outside
Start in a familiar low-distraction environment when you’re ready to move outside.
Don’t pick a spot where other dogs, animals, or high-intensity distractions will be present.
Utilize a long line, so your dog is safe and ready for success.
Don’t pick a moment when your dog is intently focused on something like a person walking by, noise, or an exciting smell. Instead, choose a moment when your dog is relaxed and sniffing.
Say your dog’s recall word and reward them for coming towards you!
If your dog just looks at you but doesn’t start racing towards you, give them a little encouragement, so they start coming towards you. Remember to provide them with a treat when they get to you!
Practice a couple more times, and then let your dog go back to sniffing and doing their own thing.
Recall them one or two more times, but don’t excessively call them over to you because it becomes repetitive or frustrating for your dog.
Staying Successful:
Don’t repeat your recall word. If your dog is struggling to come towards you, give them verbal encouragement, lower your body, or make noises to entice them to come over to you.
Vary your reward, but keep it high value. Changing the food so your dog never knows what delicious snacks they’re getting can encourage them to come quickly and see what you have for them!
If your dog or puppy becomes distracted, you can use your hand target to keep them focused on running toward you!
Remember, we’re reinforcing behavior, not bribing! Keep the food out of sight until your dog gets to you.
Practice Collar Grabs. As you’re giving your dog food with one hand, reach for their collar or harness with your other hand. Release the collar or harness when they’re done eating. This can help your dog become comfortable with this action before emergencies.
Need More Support?
If you need further support with any training needs, you can reach out here
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