Common Mistakes To Avoid When Recall Training Your Dog
Recall training is one of the most crucial skills to teach your dog.
A reliable recall not only ensures that your dog is safe outside and allows them the ability to exercise freely, but it also means that walks can be so much more fun and stress-free for you all. However, many dog owners unintentionally make errors that can hinder their dog's progress with recall. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when recall training your dog.
Using their name as your recall cue
I don’t know about you, but I say my dog’s name a lot. I even sing her name to her sometimes. I’ll say it in all kinds of random contexts and it very rarely means I actually want her to do anything particular. Most people say their dog’s names a lot throughout the day too. The problem comes when they also then rely on their dog’s name to be the cue that they use to expect the dog to come back to them outdoors. How many times a day does your dog hear their name without it meaning anything specific? There’s very little reason why your dog should understand it as their recall cue when they are outside and faced with all kinds of other competing distractions, especially when it’s the millionth time they’ve heard it that day. Or, if it does work on occasions, it’s highly unlikely to be a recall cue that is strong enough to work in every given scenario that you might come across outdoors. The best thing to do? Train a completely unique verbal recall cue or, better still, train them to recall to a whistle!
Letting them off lead too soon or especially when they are teenagers
What we don’t want our dogs to do is practice not coming back to us when asked. If trained incorrectly, they can learn to ignore a recall cue just as much as they can learn to recall. Puppies tend to stay close to us whilst they are very young and vulnerable outside, but once those hormones start kicking in, it’s highly likely they will start to roam much further. If you find that your dog is regularly not listening to their recall cue or you are starting to train your recall for the first time, keep them on a longline (10 metres or more). This allows your dog enough freedom to explore naturally outdoors whilst at the same time ensures that they are safe. You can then work on the recall reliably without your dog being able to run off.
Only calling them back at end of walk
Dogs aren’t stupid! If the only time we recall them is at the end of a walk, they will very quickly pick up on this and stop coming back. When training recall and also when recall is trained, it’s a good habit to recall them a few times throughout their walks.
Repeating the cue multiple times
Fluffy, fluffy, fluffy, fluffy, FLUFFY! We’ve all heard someone do that when out, right? Repeating the recall cue over and over can teach your dog that it's okay to ignore you the first few times. It also means that your recall isn’t trained well enough. If your dog doesn’t respond immediately, avoid repeating the cue more than once and take it as a sign that you need to put some more work into their training.
Similarly, inconsistency is a common mistake in recall training. If you allow your dog to ignore the command sometimes, they’ll learn that they don’t always have to listen. Make sure everyone in your household is on the same page about the recall cue, what to do and not do and how to reinforce it. Consistency from everyone is crucial.
Training in a distracting environment too soon
While it’s important to eventually train your dog’s recall in various environments, starting in a place with too many distractions can set you and your dog up for failure. Begin in a quiet, controlled setting and gradually introduce more distractions as your dog becomes more reliable. This helps build your dog's confidence, allows them to process what it is they need to do properly and sets the ball in motion for that automatic recall response in distracting environments.
Relying on recall only when necessary
Similarly to only recalling them at the end of a walk, if you only try and recall your dog when they really want to do something else, like run over to other dogs or chase wildlife for example, then you are making the recall extremely difficult for your dog. After a while, they’ll start to always choose what is more fun for them; returning to you to be clipped on lead (not fun) or running around with/after other dogs/wildlife. Until your recall is trained reliable, make sure you are using a longline in distracting situations and work on your recall throughout your walks, whether there are distractions or not.
Scrimping on rewards
In the beginning stages of recall training, it's crucial to reward your dog generously. This doesn’t just mean giving treats; toy play, verbal praise, fuss and attention can all be effective rewards (I would argue that fuss and verbal praise aren’t quite as effective). If your dog realises that coming back to you results in something great for them, it’s a win, win! You can reduce the amount of rewards you give them for their recall over time, however I would continue to reward them fairly regularly for recall throughout their lives because, at the end of the day, it’s a very hard skill for them to do.
Long training sessions
Whilst some dogs can train for hours, it is pretty rare that most will, especially if you have a young dog! Long, repetitive training sessions can lead to boredom and frustration for both you and your dog. Instead, keep training sessions short and sweet, around 5-10 minutes at a time; maybe less if you have a puppy. Frequent short sessions are far more effective than occasional, lengthy ones.
Using the recall cue unnecessarily
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is using the recall command when you're about to do something your dog dislikes, like administering medication or calling them in from the garden so you can pop them in their crate, as examples. This can create a negative association with the cue, making your dog reluctant to always come when called. Instead, use recall for positive experiences and reward your dog generously when they respond.
Dogs are very attuned to your emotions. If you call your dog in a harsh or angry tone, they may become hesitant or fearful of approaching you. Always use a consistent clear mutual tone of voice, even if you're feeling frustrated. Better still, train them to recall to a whistle.
Recall training is an essential skill for any dog, but it takes time to train. Rushing the process can lead to frustration and setbacks. Each dog learns at their own pace, so be patient and celebrate small victories along the way. Pushing your dog too quickly can lead to mistakes and make the recall less reliable.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can build a strong recall that keeps your dog safe outdoors. Remember, training should always be a positive experience for both you and your dog.
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