22/01/2025
Brilliant advice on how to strengthen your dog's recall skills! The key is to training recall in particular is to make it FUN, so turn it into a game they will love playing with you 🐾
Struggling with Recall? 🐾
Recall is one of the most common challenges for dog owners. But it doesn’t have to start in the park!
Here’s the secret: Start at home! 🏠
Make recall part of your everyday routine:
Moving rooms? Call your dog: "Fido, come!" and reward them when they arrive.
Heading outside? Call them to the door, reward. Coming back in? Call and reward again.
🎉 Try the Relay Game!
This one’s a favourite! Gather 3+ people, stand in a circle in your garden, and take turns calling your dog in a random order.
- Each person should have treats ready.
- Reward your dog when they come to the right person.
- If they go to the wrong person, no problem - call them again and reward when they get it right.
🌳🐕 When you progress to the park, use a long line (not an extendable lead). Long lines provide freedom while keep them secure until they nail that recall!
🚫 What NOT to do:
Don’t only call your dog for things they don’t like - like ending their fun at the park, your dog might start ignoring you.
🎶Don’t Wear Out Your Recall Cue!
Ever feel like a broken record calling your dog? "Fido, come... Fido, come... FIDO, COME!" 🐾
Here’s the thing: repeating the cue over and over can actually teach your dog to tune you out! Say your cue, wait for a response, if you get no response after a long pause try again.
🚫🐾 Don’t Chase Your Dog!
As tempting as it is, resist the urge to chase your dog - unless they’re in immediate danger (like heading toward a road). Why? Chasing turns into a fun game of “keep away” for your dog, and guess what? They’ll always win! 🏃♀️🐶
Keep it fun, consistent, and rewarding. Practice makes perfect, and recall will soon be a game they love to play! 🐶✨
