
One of the most important training skills you can give your dog will be to learn
an effective recall or come! command when asked, regardless of the
circumstances they are currently experiencing or enjoying. This behaviour
(command) will help to keep them safe from potential harm, whilst allowing
them the ability to enjoy more freedom throughout their daily life.
Being able to recall your dog when approaching other dogs, busy roads, food
outlets, other people – children / adults / elderly is a vital community skill
requirement … put simply if you do not believe your dog is 100% reliable with
recall, do not have them loose in public spaces.
This command can easily become “poisoned” and is the most commonly
“poisoned” of all commands dogs will learn. Why? To answer that we need
to look at it from a dog’s point of view:
- Often they get called for a bath – they may HATE having a bath = NEGATIVE
EXPERIENCE
- To leave the dog park where they are having fun with other dogs = NEGATIVE
EXPERIENCE
- To drop something they have discovered and consider to be of high value to them =
NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE
When wanting to do any of the above – bath time, leave dog park, take
away inappropriate find try using another cue; for example : “(your dog’s
name) it’s time to go home now, let’s go home!” Use an upbeat positive
voice, needs to sound more interesting than what they are currently doing.
Perhaps even more important than an effective recall is the ability to recall in
an emergency. An emergency recall and is simply a word or very short phrase
you use to get your dog to come back to you immediately, without hesitation.
It differs from normal daily recall as it is only used in an emergency situation,
and should be an incredibly reliable fail-safe.
Teaching your dog to come reliably, whether it be an everyday recall or an
emergency recall, will require consistency, patience and lots of positive
reinforcement. This will require regular practice using a combination of praise
and treats – these must be considered ‘high value’ by your dog, over a
considerable period of time.
To learn more about this vitally important training command, contact
Pawsative K9 Obedience & Pet Taxi for advice on how to book a session.
LET THE RECALLING BEGIN!
Comments