The 7 Easiest Ways To Improve Your Dog's Recall
As a dog owner, teaching your furry friend about the recall is critical. This entails them coming back to you when called. It is crucial for their safety and helps build a stronger bond between you and your pet. However, achieving a reliable recall is not a walk in the park. The trick is ensuring that you are more interesting than their surroundings. Have an abundance of praise, games, and treats. Here are seven tips to help improve dog's recall and make your time together more enjoyable.
- Use Positive Reinforcement
Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement. When they come to you when called, reward them with a treat or praise. Make sure the reward is something that your dog finds valuable, whether it is a favorite toy, a tasty treat, or affectionate attention. It encourages your pup to repeat the behavior. This makes it more likely to come back to you when called.
- Start Small and Build Up
It is essential to start training your dog's recall in a quiet and familiar environment with minimal distractions. Once your dog is responding well to your call in a controlled environment, gradually increase the level of distractions. Take them to a park or a busy street. Then, gradually increase the level of difficulty. Do this as your dog becomes more comfortable with new environments.
- Make It Fun
Training should be a fun and engaging affair for both of you. Incorporate games into your training sessions, such as hide and seek, or fetch. It makes training feel like a fun game that they are more likely to respond positively to.
- Use a Long Leash
Using a long leash is effective in giving your pooch some freedom while still maintaining control. A long leash allows your dog to roam freely. However, you can still reel them in if needed. They tend to enjoy a sense of freedom and autonomy, helping them feel less restricted. Ultimately, they will be more inclined to come back to you when called.
- Be Consistent
When training your pup's recall, consistency is key. Use the same command and tone of voice every time you call your dog. This will help your dog recognize the command and understand what you are asking of them. Be sure to also use the same reward every time they come back to you when called.
- Practice Often
Repetition is essential when it comes to training your dog. Practice calling your dog to you frequently throughout the day, even when they are not expecting it. This will help them understand that coming back to you when called is a necessary behavior that is expected of them, no matter what they are doing.
- Avoid Punishment
Never punish your dog for not coming back to you when called. Punishment can lead to fear and anxiety. Eventually, they will be less inclined to come back to you. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and reward good behavior. Try again later if they fail to come back to you. Make sure to reward them when they do come back.