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Recall (Come When Called)

A Life-Saving Skill

If you’ve ever accidentally dropped your leash on a walk or had your dog bolt out the front door into traffic, you know how important recall is. The thing that makes recall so hard is that a good recall is actually a combination of five separate behaviors. Let’s break it down chronologically:

  1. Name recognition (stop what you’re doing and listen to me)
  2. Leave it (drop whatever you’re doing)
  3. Physically come to me
  4. Sit in front of me
  5. Give me (or at least let me grab) your collar

Name Recognition

Every dog could do with some brushing up on the Name Game. To play, you will say your dog’s name, and mark (click or “yes”) the moment they either turn their head toward you, or — if you want to increase criteria — when they give you eye contact. Toss a kibble for your dog to chase and repeat.

Leave It

Hold two of the same treats, one in each hand. Put one behind your back and let your dog smell a treat you have in the other hand, closed into a fist. Allow your dog to snuffle, lick, and nibble on your hand; be on the lookout for any sign of disengagement. It will be subtle at first. When you see your dog look away for a second, or move their head back, mark (click or “yes”) and reward your dog with the treat behind your back. Repeat.

In the video above, the dog has already learned leave it from a closed fist. To increase criteria, change the picture:

  1. Closed fist
  2. Open palm
  3. On the ground, covered
  4. On the ground, uncovered
  5. Dropped onto the ground from a few inches off the ground, then covered
  6. Dropped from waist height, then covered with foot
  7. Tossed past your dog (on-leash at first)

Come - Sit - Collar Grab

The last three behaviors can be lumped together in one smooth motion. Say the cue “come,” place a lure on your dog’s nose, and lure him in front of you, pull the treat back over his forehead so he sits, and grab his collar as you are feeding him. To increase criteria, ask your dog to “come” from farther and farther away.

The reason the collar grab needs to be part of the picture is to guarantee you can get ahold of your dog before they dash off again.

Using a Long Leash

A long leash (not the spring-loaded retractable leashes!) can be an invaluable tool for practicing recall. Your dog may do a perfect “come” and sit inside the home, but they won’t generalize that behavior to all environments. You need to practice in those environments with them and reinforce them for coming to you in the presence of distractions. This is where the long leash comes in — the long leash enables you to get 30-50 feet away from your dog, without compromising safety. You always have control of your dog and you are able to enforce a recall, even if they try to run off. Be sure to practice your leash mechanics before you get out there! I can tell you from first-hand experience that it sucks to have that line wrap around your ankle as your 70-lb dog is sprinting away from you.

For professional help with leash walking skills, contact Kuma Dog Training for an initial consultation today.

 

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