Puppy Recall Secrets: Build a Rock-Solid Recall From Day One
Imagine this: You're at the park, your puppy is off-lead, and they come running back to you every time you call, even with distractions all around. Sounds like a dream, right? It doesn't have to be! In this blog post, we'll reveal the secrets to building a rock-solid recall with your puppy from day one.
Ready to unlock the secrets of puppy recall? Let’s dive in!
What means the most to you? - Why recall training should be a top priority from day one
How often have you thought to yourself, with a little hindsight, “I wish I’d worked on that earlier in our relationship”? I know I’ve heard myself saying that a bunch. Recall is one of those behaviours you need to be thinking about from day one! As trainers we see so many people come to us for help once the recall becomes an issue and this is much harder help with. Don’t get me wrong… With the support of a good trainer (click the below button to find one) you can turn it around, but it is certainly a lot more complicated. Instead we are going to focus on what to do when you have that puppy or when you have the ear of a class full of new puppy owners that are hanging off your every word.
What is practiced gets perfected
The above mantra is just facts. When you’re welcoming a new puppy into your home you should be well aware of the big things that mean a lot to you that you want to start developing from day dot. Recall is usually pretty high on that list right? For example if you’ve got yourself a puppy that will grow into a big strong dog then walking on a loose lead will be high on the list as future you won’t want one arm 30 centimetres longer than the other and a lifetime of back pain. Recall is a HUGE deal. If we want our dogs to have the freedom to explore and move like a dog should this will be, or should be, high on the list of priorities.
Building a strong foundation through positive reinforcement
The first step of a reliable recall with a puppy is building the relationship. Everything comes from a foundation of trust and fun and Recall is a hell of a lot easier to achieve if your dog likes you. How do we build that? We come bearing gifts. Be a trustworthy source of everything awesome in that puppies world be that; Toys, food, affection and personality. When we want to make people love us at the office we bring a box of Crispy Cremes in right? When we want to develop a relationship with someone we give them our time, our warmth and occasionally our wine. It’s the same principal when it comes to building a relationship with a puppy. You NEVER want your puppy to question whether being around you is a good idea. I like to sing a little song… “My Treat Pouch Brings All The Pups To The Yard, My Treats Are Better Than Yours” etc…
Find what they really want
Another point I’d spend time exploring with new puppy guardians is how to find what it is that rocks their puppy’s’ world. Of course food is always a good bet and remember to reserve the tastiest of tastys for your recall training (I like to do little food test with my dogs to gauge their preferences rather than leave it to chance). This is also where looking at the breed of dog might help us. Terriers, for example, tend to have a genetic predisposition for want to chase, grab and shake a furry/fluffy thing. So for most Terriers (and there are always exceptions to this rule) I’d advise guardians to be the provider of that awesome game. Call the pups name (at home when there is nothing much happening) and engage in a little game of chase and grab the toy or toss a tasty treat (depending on their preferences). Do this a few time a day, over the course of week one, and watch how this increase the value of YOU.
The importance of consistency and repetition
I can’t big up enough the benefits of creating these little habits early on. That Recall holy grail that we’re all after has to be automatic, instinctual and reliable. Ideally we’re looking for a dog that rather than doing a mathematical equation when called (as to whether it’s worth it to come back or not) spins on a dime and comes back because it’s an ingrained habit.
Be the highlight of the day
To achieve this, the first steps are to make yourself a REALLY cool person to be around. Play games, toss treats about, have fun, bring you’re “A” game personality to the party (yes I’m talking to you grumpy Keith). All this can be adapted to your own personal needs but it is an essential piece of the puzzle. If we get this right then there should be no question in our puppies mind as to who is the greatest human being alive on planet earth.
Tips for effective puppy training sessions
You don’t have to be doing forty five minute drills with a young puppy, in fact you want to avoid this. I prefer to advise four to six little five minute sessions a day. You have to do something with your puppy, on top of those adventure walks and confidence building right? So why not start uploading the software that will provide the “Shangri-la” recall of your dreams?
Introducing distractions gradually
This next step is really important. When we start adding in the distraction of the big wide world we don’t wat to start throwing our recall to wind and keeping our fingers crossed that it’ll work. Nope, there should be no chance involved. We should do our best to guarantee that recall by setting them up to succeed. So let’s say pup is having a good explore, deep in a sniff. Perhaps they’re on a long line or free in a secure space (safety first). I’m going to make sure I’ve got a SUPER high reward food treat in my hand and I’m going to go to them, pop that stinky, lovely treat under their nose and, as they turn, I’ll start saying whatever the recall cue is AS I’m backing away and feeding the whole time. This whole process might only last ten to twenty seconds, and once it’s over I’ll let them go right back to exploring the world. Think of this as an awesome interruption and practice it at various times on your puppy’s adventure walks.
Using people as controlled distractions
This blog could go on and on through many more stages but I’m going to leave it at this next one. I like to start adding in people as distractions to begin with as I can instruct them what to do (call in favours from friends and family). This is a nice “half way house” exercise that gets missed a whole bunch. Have a person be present and let the pup go over and explore the person. If the puppy is doolally for humans the person in question needs to be instructed to stay very still when the recalling begins. Let the pup go Hi and repeat the above exercise with presenting the high value treat on the pups nose and backing away as you say the cue, feeding the whole time you back away. Remember you can also use a toy for this for pups that LOVE toys. I keep these games going for a good few weeks before starting to test if the cue itself is conditioned (ingrained within that pups brain) to elicit the response of turning away from the distraction. The work you put into this in the early days is so important to achieve the goal of a reliable, awesome, fun filled recall.
As with all dog training there are many ways to train a recall. We’d love to hear your experiences and methods that have worked well for you. Reply to the original email to let us know what you think?
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