Training “Come”-Recall Games
It can be extremely frustrating and a tad bit stressful when you are calling your dog to you, and you are suddenly invisible. Here are some fun recall games to incorporate into your dog’s training to boost their recall, and get the family involved!
A Few Quick Tips
Avoid saying your verbal cue too much. This makes it less impactful, and the dog learns they can go to you after you say it 5 times, instead of once.
Use a long line, 20ft is usually a good length. This give your dog a little more freedom, but you also have some control in case your dog is a little too distracted, or they see a SQUIRREL!
Always reward and be happy when your dog comes to you, even if they dilly dally before they do. If you punish them or get angry, your dog will most likely not want to come when you call them over time. Who wants to go to someone whose yelling?
Use good treats, and lots of pets and love. Remember your dog decides what they find rewarding, not you.
Pick your verbal cue, I like “come” some people like “here” it could even be “unicorn”, its up to you! But whatever you pick be consistent.
Lets Get Started!
Cookie Recall Game
This is one of my favorites when I am introducing the “come” cue to my dog, or adding in more distractions. Its also a great way to tire out your dog physically and adding some mental enrichment too!
With your dog in front of you take a treat and toss it away from you
Avoid tossing really far at first
Allow your dog to eat the treat, when they are just about done say “Your dogs name, COME”
Your dog should go right back to you, when they get to you, mark with “yes”
Instead of giving your dog the treat in front of you, toss the treat away from you like you did in the begining. Then just repeat!
Troubleshooting
My dog can’t find the treat.
Toss treat closer to you.
Make sure your dog sees the treat as you are tossing it.
The treat may be too hard to see if you are tossing it in grass or dirt
My dog eats the treat then walks off
Toss the treat closer to you.
Use a higher value treat to make them want to engage with the game.
Try a less distracting location or space.
If you have been doing this game for awhile, maybe take a break!
My dog stops midway on their way back to me
Try backing up quickly and get excited, dogs naturally want to follow/chase, so use that to your advantage.
My dog takes too long to get back to me.
Toss the treat closer to you
See if you can make it easier until your dog understands better
Recall Circle
This is a fun game that gets your whole family involved.
Have you and your family stand in a circle, start with a smaller circle and make it bigger then better your dog gets
Make sure your family members have treats, and then take turn calling your dog to come.
Every time your dog goes to each family member, have that person mark with “yes” and reward with pets and a treat.
It helps to change the order every now and then, dogs get really good at figuring out patterns, so switch it up!
Troubleshooting
My dog really only listens to one family member.
If your dog has a favorite, have that family member just give light pets instead of a treat, while the other members give treats and high praise and pets.
Just do this until your dog starts responding to other members then let their favorite go back to high praise and treats. You can do this again if necessary at some point.
My dog keeps running off.
Make your circle smaller
Use higher value treats
Use a long line.
In Closing
Having a good recall for your dog is very important! Remember to start with low distracting area (at home, in the backyard), and start making it harder when your dog is. consistently performing the behavior we want 90% of the time. Sometimes you may have to “go back to kindergarten” and make it easier even if they did well with a little more difficulty. This is normal, dogs aren’t perfect!
Happy training!
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