Total Recall

The most important behavior that you can teach your dog is to come when called.  It is convenient to have a dog that will happily bound to you when you call him.  Beyond convenience it is a behavior that can save his life.  The most careful dog owners always have the dog leashed or confined.  But sometimes, it happens that a door or gate is inadvertently left open or the dog bolts through a door when a friend of family member is coming or going.  There are many dangers for a dog in the Big Wide World and so it is important that the owner have a quick and reliable method for gaining control of a loose dog.

Understanding dog behavior and communication/body language will help you teach a reliable recall to any dog, young or old.  Dogs are dogs, not humans.  Dogs do not understand human motivations and rules or the dangers they might encounter running free.

• Dogs are amoral and they do what works, for them.  You will hear me say this many, many times during the course of a training class.  Dogs want to know what's in it for them, NOW!!  Reward the dog every time he comes.  Occasionally "jackpot" and feed several treats all at once. This can prevent a grab and run, as the dog will stick around to see if there are more goodies coming his way!

• Dogs naturally chase things are moving away from them.   Encourage your dog to come to you by turning your body away from him.  As the dog understands the command "Fido Come!" you can start shifting, rotating your body around so that you eventually can face him and call him.  Many people try to teach the dog to come to them by standing still facing the dog and calling his name.  This is a challenge posture to the dog, a clear signal to the dog to "stay put" in dog language. (Think of your posture when you ask your dog to "Stay!".)

•   Dogs are all about FUN!  Dogs have been blessed with the wonderful ability to find fun and a game or two in everything they do.  If only we humans could do the same!!  If you are teaching your dog to come, you have to be FUN!!  So, no standing still and issuing a military still "COME!" to your dog will get the response you want over the long run.  In the same vein, calling your dog to come when you are angry  will not work either!! So, raise your voice a tone or two,  smile, stoop down, open your arms, or stand and slightly angle your body away from your dog and issue a "woohoo!! Fido, Come!"  and just see what happens! If your dog doesn't move with impulsion towards you, but does slowly come to your command, make it more fun but running backwards as your dog moves towards you... have fun! Dog's do!