Sorry I missed last week (holidays, what can ya do?) but today were back with Training Tip Tuesday! Todays: tip: ALL training games are recall games. Recall (coming when called) is one of the most important behaviors for your dog to have but its also one of the top behaviors that people struggle with. Theres good reason for that, its simply hard to get your dog to choose to come to you--the person they see all the time--over the many distractions of the world. There are training games for recall and it is certainly important to work on your dogs name recognition and coming toward you when you call them. But another big part of recall is simply building a relationship between you and your dog that makes them want to be with you. If you let your dog off leash in a park and you ignore each other for 20 minutes, your chances arent great that theyll come when you decide to call them. On the other hand if theyre off leash and youve worked hard and built a bond to where theyre checking in to see where you are and what youre doing pretty often then your chances are much, much higher that theyll be interested in coming to see you when you call them. So when youre out with your dog stay engaged with them. Let them off leash only when theyre focused on you (focus on you = freedom to run around), then reward them any time they choose to come see you (rewards can be treats, toy play, or lots of love and attention). Practice known behaviors when out in distracting places (on or off leash) so that they realize you work together even outside the house. Basically anything that brings their attention to you in a happy way is recall practice. Also be sure to not be the fun taker. Dont call them to you only when its time to leave the park or you want the toy back. Remember that dogs are gamblers so if 9 out of 10 times when you call them its to give them a reward and let them go again, theyll likely play those odds. --Lisa, A.K.A. Food Lady
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 04:32:03 +0000