Question about RECALL training

[neamhni]

i've done a search over the forum about recall training (since i have a distracted doggie) and i keep reading "Do not use the command unless you can enforce it".

What exactly does enforcing a dog coming to you look like? i'm assuming it's not going after the dog, since this can make the dog think you'll chase it (i tried it once and my dog thinks it's superfun and runs further away- so i never EVER chase him), but i could be wrong, of course.

So how does one enforce the "come" command?

 

[Herschel]

If you know your dog is going to come to you, mark it with a command.

Don't chase your dog, let your dog chase you. Find something that gets him really excited and run away from him. He'll chase you and as soon as he gets to you, say, "Come! Good boy, good come!" and reward him.

 

[xPwincessJaffa96x]

If you know your dog is going to come to you, mark it with a command.

Don't chase your dog, let your dog chase you. Find something that gets him really excited and run away from him. He'll chase you and as soon as he gets to you, say, "Come! Good boy, good come!" and reward him.

Yeah! That's what I was going to say....

 

[Charliesmommy]

Another option is to use a long leash - like 25 feet - and give a little tug when you say come. I would not start this until he is somewhat reliable, as you don't want to end up "reeling him" all the way in.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

ohhhhh I reel them in. Just like a fish, hand over hand, all the while praising, and then when they get there I stuff their face full of delicious treats.

Remember that dogs do what works for them. Make coming to you when you call the dog work REALLY WELL for him.

DO NOT call the dog if it is not on a line unless it is already coming to you. This is a fine time to use the recall command, and of course have the obligatory treats ready.

People teach their dogs not to come when they call by calling them when they cannot be sure the dog will come, with or without help.

 

[artgotc]

ohhhhh I reel them in. Just like a fish, hand over hand, all the while praising, and then when they get there I stuff their face full of delicious treats.

Remember that dogs do what works for them. Make coming to you when you call the dog work REALLY WELL for him.

DO NOT call the dog if it is not on a line unless it is already coming to you. This is a fine time to use the recall command, and of course have the obligatory treats ready.

People teach their dogs not to come when they call by calling them when they cannot be sure the dog will come, with or without help.

I was trying to use recall commands but haven't saw any results

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

What do you mean? The dog must hear the recall command WHILE he is coming to you, and get rewarded handsomely numerous times before you can elicit the behavior with the command.

If I said to you, "Busselskink!" would you know what it meant? Even if I did? Dogs must learn through timing, pairing, reward, and association what commands mean.

 

[neamhni]

Okay, i get putting the dog on a line and reeling them in as a method of "enforcing" the command.

i was just fuzzy on enforcing something upon someone who isn't within enforcing reach. With the line, that makes the reach possible! Thank you!

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Also, don't forget to give the command word and reinforce when your dog is coming to you, even if you did not call it.

 

[Mcpie]

Not sure if this is the best way to do it, but if he does fail (which is rather infrequent these days), I walk after him slowly. He'll scamper off because he knows he's in trouble, but he wont move far, and I keep walking after him. When I do get him, I walk him back to the spot I called him from (I don't really say a word during this exercise). I have him sit quickly then let him get back to playing.

He seems to understand that, if he listens, he'll bound over to me, get some great treats, and then go right back to playing. If not, he'll still have to do the walk, but he wont get any treats, or affection.

The only times he really fails are when he's about half-way to me and something distracts him. Other than that, I wont say come until I have a darn good idea he is going to come, and that is usually ascertained by his response to me calling his name. In fact, I almost have a different way of saying his name specifically for the recall-- it's a much more drawn out Charrr-lie. Usually gets him to stop right in his tracks and turn to look at me/take a few steps forward. A quick come and my arms wide open usually gets him bounding.

 

[Charliesmommy]

ohhhhh I reel them in. Just like a fish, hand over hand, all the while praising, and then when they get there I stuff their face full of delicious treats.

LOL! What I meant was that you don't want to have a dog that is fighting/going crazy at the other end of the line, as that will scare him and teach him to be afraid of coming. So, once he has heard "come" a few times (as he is already doing it) and is starting to get an idea of what it means, that is the best time to start using the reeling method.

I have seen people who are choking the heck out of their dogs, as the dog is flailing on the end of the line and going mad with fear, and the person is sitting there going "come boy, come!" as if the dog is going to cooperate with someone who they think is torturing it!

 

[elegy]

my very favorite "how to teach a recall" link ever: http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/Lesson6.html