Teaching your dog reliable recall is an important aspect of dog training. Recall training is teaching your dog to come to you when called. The ultimate goal is for your recall command to become more attractive to your pup than any distraction lying ahead. This will ensure your dog will be safe, even when he encounters a dangerous situation. Here are 4 awesome tips which will improve your dog’s recall ability.
1. Keep the Recall Command Short & Consistent
You should use only 1-2 words for the recall command, such as “come” or “here”. Using more words can make the command confusing. Keep the 1-2 words as a unique recall command used only for him to come to you when you call him. When using it, say the recall command only once. This will add value to your command and ensure your dog obeys you instantly. Use the recall command for only positive things, such as coming to you for treats. Do not use the recall command for things such as trimming his nails, which might not be so appealing to him. This will ensure that your dog looks forward to your call and does not ignore it in the future.
2. Use Treats and Rewards
Reward your dog with treats during training. This will give him the positive reinforcement he needs during training. First, understand what rewards your dog likes best. Find out if it is a snack, toy, or game. This will help make his recall ability stronger, since he will want to come to you when you call out to him. You will find your pup comes no matter what he is doing. Make sure to keep the tone of your voice positive when you call him. This will tell him that he is behaving correctly, just as you expect of him.
3. Shorter Training Sessions Improve Recall Ability
Make training fun for your dog so that he is attentive throughout the training session. Reward him every time he comes to you to keep him focused. Shorter sessions of 10-15 minutes are more interesting and exciting for him. Your dog is more likely to lose interest if he gets bored. If this happens, pack up for the day and resume training another time. Again, keep it consistent. Always end the sessions on a positive note so that your dog remembers it as a positive experience.
4. Avoid Distractions while Training
Start improving recall ability training at home, with your dog on the leash. Reward him every time he comes to you. Training your dog indoors will give him a quieter space, away from all of the distractions. Once he responds consistently to your call, take the training outdoors, such as at the park. Initially, choose an outdoor space away from other dogs during training. Give him a chance to get comfortable with his surroundings. Let him explore and sniff around before training. As your pup gets better with recall, make the sessions more challenging. Start introducing your dog to distractions, such as other dogs, people, and situations that your dog finds exciting.
Achieving reliable recall with your pup requires you to be consistent and patient. It will become easy if you make the training sessions fun and enjoyable for your dog. Watching your dog successfully respond to your recall command will be extremely rewarding, and will also guarantee his safety in any circumstance.
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