Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by Becky Roberts
Dog training your pet to come to you is an important part of your responsibility as a pooch owner. This training session is more popularly known as “reliable recall”. Aside from being an effective means to display authority, it also helps establish a certain sense of communication and safety which leaves a positive impact on your dog. It also has proven to show better behavior, thanks to certain approaches to obedience training.
“Reliable recall” simply means that your dog should respond and come to you whenever you call them. Now it may sound easy than it actually is, but just like any other daunting task, teaching recall can prove to be a challenging stint for any pet owner. Luckily for us, the important skill of dog obedience training now has multiple proven methods that actually do something for both us owners and our furry friends.
Before taking your pet to a quick walk in the dog park, here are some of the effective ways and crucial components on how to train your dog to come:
Establish Authority
Due to their limited attention span, dogs can become easily distracted. They just find everything in the whole world interesting, and it only takes a split second for their focus to be diverted.
During recall training, make sure that you establish a sort of disciplinarian approach without having to scold your pet or be tough with them. By doing so, your pooch remembers a positive association whenever they are around you. This enables you to ensure that you have their attention throughout dog training, and it can be an effective approach whenever introducing a new come command to your pet.
Also Read: How To Approach A Dog
Another effective means of establishing authority is by practicing commanding indoors first. As another family member, your pooch should be accustomed to your home by now, and command indoors should be considered essential. One thing you can try is house training your puppy. And yes, I heard you thinking. Potty training helps, too. Simple commands and instructions can go a long way when starting out with verbal recall training.
One of the easiest ways you can identify if you have already established authority is when you go out for walks. Whether on a leash or not, monitor if he is walking beside you rather than ahead of you. Notice his motions when you stop walking. If your dog stops as well, chances are you have already established the necessary authority over your This simple process is an important lesson that helps out a lot, especially if you start them young and do it on a regular basis.
It also helps to let our dogs know that being around us leaves them in their most comfortable state. Nothing will gain your pooch’s trust more than knowing that there is no negative association whenever they are near you. After all, dogs thrive off companionship, and it’s an important part of establishing a firm relationship with their owners.
Find The Perfect Place
The dog park won’t always be available as a training venue. For starters, you may want to consider a safe and secure area for basic recall or regular recall training. If your house has fenced areas, it should do the trick. If a fenced yard is not an option, however, you can consider small areas of the house that have enough space for practicing recall.
The training spot should preferably hold little no to distractions, as you’re going to want to have your dog’s full attention. Next, make sure that the area is free from potential objects that are fragile and sensitive. The last thing we all want is seeing sights of broken and damaged furniture or pots all over the place.
Also, it’s recommended to look for a place in which you can extend and go backward should
Another thing you’re going to want to consider is the leash law. Depending on your area, it’s crucial to respect the said ordinance. This means that you should restrain or leash your pooch whenever you are in an area that isn’t fenced. A dog training shock collar can also be a decent choice.
Consistency Is Key
Imagine yourself being a passionate guitarist.
Before you can perfect a certain part of your favorite song, you will need to put in the work and effort of practicing your craft. Repetition is beneficial whenever wanting something to progress and be a potential permanent part of your routine.
The same concept pretty much goes with teaching your dog for recall. As your training progresses, it’s important to remember that what you do in the beginning should be your same method for the remainder of your sessions.
Verbal cues also play a vital role in a reliable recall method. You’re going to want to stick with one tone and word, and usually, “come” does the trick, or even a whistle. Each time your pooch approaches, it helps to gently pet them, and offer them their favourite treat. By doing so, you give off a strong recall for them by associating their obedience with rewards. As another form of giving extra encouragement, it also helps to praise your dog, despite them starting slow and taking a long time coming to you.
You can also consider starting at short distances, and gradually shift to long distances as your training progresses. It also helps to slowly add the level of distraction, and continually reward your pet for every milestone they achieve.
Another thing you should avoid is using too much words when calling your furry friend. This may signal an unclear instruction to your pooch, and training them to come may prove to be even more difficult if they do not know what you want them to do. Be cautious if your dog responds accordingly to each call, and try a different approach while sticking to one verbal cue.
Up Your Rewarding Game
It helps to start by playing a game with your dog.
Aside from promoting physical exercise, certain games can be a sort of training session in which you and your dog can practice regular recall. When engaging in the said games with your pooch, it helps to reward your dog with a tasty treat whenever he is in front of you. High value rewards can be a sure-fire way of getting your dog’s attention. Training treats can also be an effective method for giving positive reinforcement.
In Conclusion
Recall training is highly rewarding and beneficial for dog owners and pooches at the same time. And because it’s well worth the effort, exerting patience is a must, especially at first. One can never tell when a simple “come” can save your dog’s life. It’s important to know that going through all of this will take time, and once you and your dog get the hang of it, the results are guaranteed to make you and your pet’s life easier.
