Teaching Recall: Come When Called

Canine recall: coming when called, doesn't have to be a challenge for pet owners. Keeping the skill fun and rewarding is a great way to increase the odds your pet will come to you when called; especially when you REALLY need them to leave a situation and come to your side. 

When working on recall, here are some helpful tips: 

• Reward your dog for leaving the situation, regardless of how long it took. A recall is a recall and should be rewarded.
• Never punish a recall, regardless of why you need to recall them. If they left for something tempting, and you successfully recall them back to you, reward them for coming. Don't punish them for running off. Dogs live in the moment, what was done is in the past.  
• Lack of rewards when recalled can cause them to stop coming. Reward the recall. 
• Keep small pieces of kibble or treats with you in a pocket or treat pouch to reward randomly throughout the training session or when outside with the dog. 
• Recall before the dog gets too far away, to reinforce the recall and to remind the dog that their good behavior will be rewarded. 
• If having trouble with a recall, consider kneeling down on one knee to encourage the dog to come to you. Treat tosses can entice when needed. If the dog stops but doesn't come towards you, consider stepping back another few steps and drop to the knee. Any step towards you should result in a verbal praise or a treat toss encouraging them to continue coming to you. 
• Keep practicing, making games out of it. The more they associate recall with rewards, the more they are likely to participate when it really matters.