Recalling your dog, or teaching them to “come when called,” is arguably one of the most critical skills your canine companion can master. This ability not only ensures their safety but also strengthens your bond. However, many dog owners find this training challenging, as the world often presents more enticing distractions for our dogs than our own commands. Each time we ask our dog to come to us, we are essentially asking them to disengage from whatever fascinating activity they are currently engrossed in. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and playful methods to effectively teach your dog recall, ensuring it’s a positive and rewarding experience for both of you.
Essential Tools for Teaching Recall
Before you begin, gather these simple items:
- High-value treats: Small, delectable treats that your dog absolutely loves and are easy to eat quickly.
- A quiet indoor area: Start training in a distraction-free environment to help your puppy focus.
Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching “Come”
The foundation of a reliable recall is built on positive reinforcement and making the act of returning to you incredibly rewarding.
- Initial Association: Begin by sitting with your puppy in your chosen quiet space. Say their name or the command word “come.” Each time you utter the word, immediately give your puppy a treat. At this stage, there’s no expectation for them to perform any action; the goal is simply to create a positive association between the cue and a reward.
- Introducing Movement: Place a treat on the floor near you. Once your puppy finishes eating the treat on the ground, repeat the “come” cue. As soon as they look up at you, give them another treat.
- Increasing Distance: Repeat the previous step multiple times. Gradually, you can start tossing the treat a little further away. When you toss the treat, ensure your dog can still easily turn around to face you after retrieving it, especially when you say their name. Important Note: Avoid repeating your puppy’s name excessively. Saying it too often without an immediate response can inadvertently teach them to ignore it. If your puppy doesn’t respond, move closer to them and revert to an earlier step where they can achieve success on the first try.
- Adding Excitement: Once your puppy consistently turns to face you after a treat toss, it’s time to make the game more dynamic. Toss a treat, then take a few quick steps away from your puppy while calling their name. They should be motivated to chase after you because the game is becoming fun.
- Rewarding Enthusiastically: When your puppy catches up to you, shower them with praise, offer more treats, or engage them with a favorite tug toy. The objective is to reinforce that coming to you is a highly enjoyable experience.
- Generalizing the Skill: Continue building upon these steps in various locations and with increasing distances. When training outdoors, always ensure your puppy is in a safe, enclosed area. Initially, using a long leash can be beneficial to provide a sense of security while still allowing for movement.
Key Considerations for Success
- Avoid Grabbing: When your puppy comes to you, resist the urge to immediately reach out and grab them. For some dogs, this can be perceived as frightening or confusing. If you have a timid puppy, try kneeling down, facing them sideways, and offering treats as you gently reach for their collar.
- Never Punish: Crucially, never call your dog if you intend to punish them. This will only teach them that responding to your call leads to negative consequences, making them more likely to avoid you in the future. Even if your dog has been mischievous, always reward them generously for responding to their name or recall cue.
Kait Hembree, Head of Training at GoodPup, underscores the importance of keeping recall training enjoyable. “It is critical that we work to ensure a positive and highly reinforced connection to our dog’s recall cue by working to balance the fun with allowing them to at times return to what they were doing originally when we called them,” Hembree advises. “Always rewarding for their immediate response when cued; and making sure that the value of their reward is worth what they walked away from to come to us.”
Fun Games to Reinforce Recall
Incorporate these engaging games to strengthen your dog’s recall skills:
- “Can You Catch Me?”: While on a walk with your dog on-leash, capture their attention. Then, turn around and begin running the other way. As your pup starts to move with you, enthusiastically call “come!” After a few steps, stop and reward your pup with a treat or a favorite toy. Important: Before you start running, ensure your dog is paying attention to avoid accidentally jerking the leash.
- Hide-and-Seek: This is a delightful game for both dogs and their humans. Find a place to hide from your dog in another room, then call out for them to find you. Once your pup successfully locates you, reward them with abundant praise and treats. This game is best introduced after your dog has a solid grasp of the basic recall.
- Hot Potato: Gather two or more friends. Equip each person with a high-value treat. Take turns calling your dog to move between each person, rewarding them each time they successfully come to the person who called them. This exercise helps your dog understand that multiple people can be a source of positive reinforcement.
Testing Your Dog’s Recall Skills
Did you know that “come when called” is one of ten essential skills required for both puppies and adult dogs to earn the Virtual Home Manners title? For puppies aged 3 months to 1 year, they must reliably come when called from a distance of 10 feet indoors. Adult dogs (4 months and older) are required to demonstrate recall from 20 feet away or from another room, both inside the house. Mastering this command is a significant achievement and a testament to your training efforts.