Teaching Rover Recall by Rebecca Mandell

Rover Recall

Teaching your dog to come to you, aka Recall, is the single most important command you can teach your dog. If you can get your pooch to come to you one hundred percent of the time, under all circumstances, you will have a great tool to deal with many different issues.

Here are just a few:

- Barking at outside stimulus (knocks at door, passersby) –
Allow your dog two-three barks, then call him to you. This way he gets to fulfill his doggy instinct of protecting his home, yet he's not driving you and the neighbors crazy.

- Chewing or other types of mischief – If your pup is about to get into something he's not supposed to (or already has), call him to you in a happy voice. This helps change his focus on to something more positive, YOU, rather than chewing up your favorite pair of shoes. When he gets to you, give him something else to do, a toy, game or bone.

-Safety – It can/will save his life. At least once in
your dog's lifetime, they will somehow get out of their house, off-leash. So you'll want them to respond to their name ON A DIME, in order to save them from that speeding car driving down the road. Even the best trained dogs get excited and make mistakes, so drilling Recall is supremely important.

How we teach Recall...

1). With your dog on a 6 foot leash and treats in your hand (something he/she LOVES), throw the treat roughly five feet away from you and gesture to the dog to go get the treat (make sure he sees it before you throw it). Once his back is turned to you and he's either gotten the treat or is looking for it, call his name in a very excited, happy, upbeat way (he does not need to find the treat before you start calling him). For example, Toby, Toby, Toby, Whoohoo and at the same time jog backwards, so that the dog is forced to jog to you. When he/she gets to you, give him big treats and tons of praise, “HAVE A PARTY.” Your pup's just done the best thing in the whole wide world. Do this over and over and over again. Then over and over and over again.

2). Once your pup is successful on his 6 foot lead, switch to a 15-25 foot long line (no Retractable leashes). Repeat step 1. You'll have to work on your pitching arm, so you can throw the treat farther.

3). Once your dog is coming to you one hundred percent of the time, without hesitation (with distractions), then test him off-leash in a safe, enclosed area (your backyard). Never move to open/unfenced areas until you are absolutely positive that he will come to you. If there's any doubt, do not move to this step! VERY IMPORTANT! All it takes is one mistake to lose your beloved pooch.

A few Notes...

-Why teach your dog Recall on leash? So we can keep them focused and close to us. We don't want your pup running off in the middle of the Recall exercise. Secondly, if he is not responding to your call, you can “reel” him in (not tug, or pull), but simply reel him towards you in that happy voice.

-Why a happy voice? We want your dog coming to you because he/she WANTS to, because you are the BEST thing in the whole wide world. A happy voice is exactly that...it makes them HAPPY,
therefore having a positive association with YOU!

-Why do we run backwards? Because Recall should be fast. No lollygagging. When you call your dog they should turn ON A DIME and run back to you. We want them joyously bounding to you.

-Don't we use the word, “Come?” Not yet. Do not add this command until they actually Come To You. Using it before they know it is useless, it'll just be another word.

-NEVER EVER, EVER call your dog to you in frustration or anger.
Again, we want coming to you to be the best thing in the world! If they are in trouble or need something unpleasant done (nail clipping, bath, meds), go to them. Recall should always be positive.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Training your dog should be a fun experience, a time to learn from one another and solidify your Human/Canine bond. If they aren't listening to you, it's not because they are bad, or being dominant and are desirous of taking over the household. It's because they simply don't understand you and/or your relationship needs to be strengthened. Training gives you the opportunity to create a wonderful, lasting relationship with your pooch, based on communication, trust and compassion! Enjoy!

Written by Rebecca Mandell, Dog's Best Friend
Photo of Koal doing Rover Recall