Educating The Dog To Recall

Would you like to go out with your dog and let it run freely in the park or run around on the beach but are you afraid that it will run away and get lost? In this article we will show you seven simple tricks to educate your dog about the recall.

Know how to call the dog

It may seem obvious to you, but there are many dog ​​owners who are unaware that the dog must know his name. The question is not to shout the name of your four-legged friend, but to be able to make sure that the dog is able to answer when you say his name.

Get the dog to pay attention to you

In order for your dog to return to the call, there must be a relationship of trust between you. It is essential to establish a close relationship with your pet.

To bond with your dog, start working on eye contact. Dogs are able to interpret body language: gestures, tone of voice and indeed the look. If you can get the dog to look at you, you will already be improving your communication.

To catch your dog’s attention, while you are talking to him, you need to look him straight in the eye,  especially while he is playing.

Use food as a reward

We have talked in various articles about operant conditioning, that is, rewarding the dog every time he behaves as you want, to make the animal reproduce this behavior.  Positive reinforcement is key within the dog’s education process. When he responds to orders, give him something he likes, the food always works.

Edible treats are usually more effective. While the dog is waiting for its tasty reward, it will not think about running after another animal.

Remember that as your dog learns, you have to start eliminating rewards or he will only obey you when you have a reward to give him.

Food or snacks can be replaced by stroking and flattery. For the dog there is nothing better than the attentions of his beloved owner. 

So, if you can catch the dog’s eye and bring it closer with a treat, you are already at a good point in the process of educating the dog to the recall.

Be patient and persistent

Perseverance and constancy are the necessary ingredients to achieve results during the training phase of your dog. Both the reward and the increase in trust in the owner are the basis of the dog’s education. One of the most common mistakes made in the training phase is not to give the dog even a caress when he behaves well or when he responds to an order. 

Say his name

To get your dog’s attention, take advantage of the moment he is looking at you and call him by name. Start giving him treats and little by little you will be able to make the dog come to you even just to receive a caress.

You must pronounce his name clearly and decisively, without shouting otherwise the dog will think that you are angry and that you want to punish him.

Accompany the call with a clear gesture that the dog can interpret: if, for example, you want the dog to go to a specific point, indicate it with your finger.

Don’t lose your patience

We will never tire of repeating it: remember that the dog is learning and that for this reason it is very likely that at first it will not obey you. If you get nervous or angry, it only makes things worse:  the dog will sense this and go into a state of agitation that will prevent him from concentrating on what you are trying to teach him.

Do not forget that you must not give him a reward if he does not respond to the call and if you have to go to him. Reward him every time he responds to the call, even if it took a while.

Try it at home

To avoid dangerous situations, try to train the dog to recall, at home.  Once outside, do not untie him unless you are absolutely sure he is capable of obeying the call. However, it is always better to stay in delimited places, because it can always happen that the dog gets scared, perhaps by a loud noise, or that he is attracted to something and runs away.