Hi, and happy new year.
If I had to choose just one thing I want to be as good as it can be for our dogs…it is getting them back to me safely when they are off lead.
There are many things I desire but if I ‘had’ to choose just one, reliable recall would be it.
This is definitely a topic where there are many techniques and approaches and below is mine and it works for me and many dog guardians I work with. It’s based on positive reinforcement and building up to working in highly distracting environments, AKA the ‘real world’.
The principles I follow are:
- All dogs can learn recall
- It is the consistent repetition of a technique that creates the habitual response
- Build up levels of distraction in the training to give them every chance of success
- Be patient, always
- Be calm and assured at all times
- For me I never take chances near roads or exits, I put them back onlead well in advance
- Remember our dogs are living creatures like us, we also get easily distracted, bored and over excited 🙂
- Always keep it fun for them and you…we all will repeat behaviors that are fun and rewarding
Phase 1 – at home, in a nice quiet room just you and your dog (no TV, music, other people or animals).
- Put a high value (chicken, cheese, etc.) treat in the palm of your hand, as they take it use your cue (command word below)
- Call your dog with your chosen cue (command), I use ‘touch’
- As soon as I get eye contact with him I move away in a confident manner. Really mean it and don’t hesitate.
- He will move & follow you and as soon as his nose touches your palm/reward repeat the cue (command) and let him have the treat. Verbal praise, we all like to be thanked for good work 😉
- Repeat all around the home whenever you can every day. Add home distractions like people, noise all sorts. Get this to 10/10
- Move it in and out of your garden to increase distraction levels and build habitual success
Phase 2 – outside at a park or ideally fenced in area initially. We are taking the training to real world levels but all the at home work has laid the groundwork.
I would get yourself a 5m training lead to use as you build confidence. This sort of thing here.
- Get to your outdoor area, attach and hold the training lead. When your dog is right at the beginning of the walk practice the recall steps (call-eye contact-move away-touch-reward/praise). Do this 5 times before you even get going on walk. You have set the scene and reminded him of the process he knows well from home.
- Give him his 5m space and let him sniff etc., but regularly recall using the process. This is really challenging for any dog with all the scent, sound and other distractions. Every time they come back you are deepening the neural pathway and creating habits.
- When you feel confident drop the 5m lead
Remember, do not expect 10/10 perfection, he is a living being.
Stay calm and assured at all times (even if you feel panic rising) you still have the 5m safety lead.
If he is playing with a group of dogs well, great but he may take a bit of practice to glance at you to make sure you are around.
Always practice getting eye contact anyway you can. Calling, clicking, whistling, rustling leaves…anything. The very second you get a glance you go to the now well worn steps call-eye contact-move away-touch-reward/praise.
Constant 2-way communication going on
Our dogs ‘read’ our feelings all the time, principally our tone of voice and body language.
Think the tone mum uses when she means it, think what you detect when you see someone stiffen up (you notice they are stressed).
So I always work on this messaging we are giving our dogs so they feel reassured, calm, happy and listen to me.
Some final thoughts…
- It will take time and loads of practice but you will get there
- If you start to ‘lose it’ a bit stop, go home and try again another time
- If he start to ‘fall off the waggon’ a bit go back to phase 1 and reinforce & remind at home
- If it’s your first dog & pup it is really hard to believe you will get there…but all of us have and do!
All the best, and always get in touch for any questions and help at ian@justbemore.dog or https://justbemore.dog/contact-us/
I am an experienced dog behaviorist, and I have worked with dogs of all ages, breeds and backgrounds. I have a special association with rescue dogs and the challenges with adopting dogs with troubled or unknown backgrounds. This is me and the team https://justbemore.dog/the-jbmd-team/.
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