Recall is a dog training term for coming when called and is probably one of the most important things you can teach your dog.  Practice and consistency are the only ways to develop a reliable recall.  Often owners make many wrong moves when they are attempting to teach this behavior which results in poor response to the command.  Follow these Recall Rules to teach your dog to come to you quickly and happily when you call.

1. “Come” always means Good Things!  Reward your dog enthusiastically with food, play or treats for coming to you.  Your dog should think recalls are fun and come to you at full speed.  Dogs should not be called for punishment or things which they find unpleasant.

2. Keep control!  Remember that you don’t want your dog to practice bad behaviors and avoid allowing your dog to find out how much fun it can be to NOT come when called.  While you are outside keep your dog on a long line so that you are in control of what he is being rewarded for.  A long line allows you to “reach” your dog from a distance to stop and/or reel him.  In the house if your dog doesn’t come to you when you call, go get him and take him back to where you called him from.

3. Real Life Rewards!  Don’t miss the chance to reward your dog in real life for coming when called. Treats, games and toys can all be used to reward recalls in real life.  Training isn’t just for training sessions!

4. Check In!  Teach your dog to “check in” by rewarding him if he randomly happens to come to you and then allowing him to go back to what he was doing.  Most dogs catch on to this quickly if you reward them often in the beginning and will eagerly check in every few minutes even if they are busy with other things.  This will be an automatic behavior which does not require a cue.  If you plan to do any kind of off leash activities with your dog this is a very important skill to teach. This can be taught at the same time you are teaching a recall.

5. Know your part!  When you are first starting to teach your dog to come, you can often encourage a quicker response by backing up a few steps away from your dog before you allow him to “catch” you.  If your dog is on a leash or long line avoid tugging or yanking on it when you call your dog.  To your dog these leash cues become part of the command and without them your dog may not respond.  Use the long line only if your dog does not respond to your cue to come.

6. Coming means getting caught!  Most everyone has seen or known a dog who would come when called but then stay just out of the owner’s reach.  Coming when called does no good if you can’t catch the dog once he gets to you!  To teach your dog to come close, click when he is on his way then drop a treat between your feet.  This encourages your dog to come close enough for you to touch him.