Monthly Training Tip:
How to improve your dog's Recall
Our dogs behave one way or the other either because they get rewarded for it (behavior will happen more often) or because they didn't like the outcome (behavior will happen less often). This is easy when we give them a treat for a Sit, but a little more complex when it comes to the recall.
Just give them a treat when they come, right? But that doesn't always work because:
1) The other reward is higher (chasing a rabbit versus getting a treat) and
2) There's often a negative outcome involved after we called them to us - loss of freedom!
We call them for a reason, which is usually either to come in the house, get in the car or at least get the leash back on. Every time they end up being confined or at least stopping what they were having such fun doing, and that's a huge negative outcome (equals punishment) for especially the young, energetic dogs.
How can we change these two facts that work against us in the recall?
1) Increase your reward: raise the quality and quantity of your reward by finding extra delicious treats like deli meat, smoked salmon, table scraps, stir-fry chicken or beef, hot dogs, cheese ... you name it! Remember that table scraps given during training are not the same as begging at the table - and shouldn't result in begging. Do you really believe your dog would NOT eat "people food" if found on the streets because you never fed it to your dog? Hah! Think again!
Then, don't give them just one piece; give them 10 or 15 pieces, slowly, one at a time! Let them settle in with you while munching on the delicious treats, forgetting about the rabbit or the buddy they just played with.
2) Dilute the idea of freedom loss: Practice the recall with that delicious reward before you need to confine your dog. "Catch & release" is a great way to teach your dog that coming to you is part of the FUN! Call your dog, praise and reward lavishly, then let your dog go play again! Do this several times while your dog is playing, sometimes touching his collar, sometimes not.
Additionally, sweeten the confinement with a fun activity while they are learning to improve the recall. For example; if you need to call your dog into the house, play a game in the house every time (at first) that you call your dog inside. If you need to call your dog to the car or just to leash your dog; play a quick game on leash first, then take your dog to the destination on-leash (car or home or just continuing your walk). You can wean the dog off of these games eventually, but even after they develop a really good recall, they'll enjoy the surprise game now and then!
The easiest and still worthwhile game for a dog to play is to FIND treats hidden or just scattered over the ground. Take 10-15 pieces and either scatter them on the ground or specifically hide them either around or in the car (if inside the car, I'd suggest just placing a dish in an obvious place for the dog to discover [happy happy!] so they don't get the idea that it'd be good to dig for treats in the car), or just right where you leashed your dog! Then tell your dog to "find the cookie!" and let the games begin.
Do you have additional ideas you want to share for improving the recall, using positive reinforcement techniques? Remember some from class or from your class folder I didn't mention here? Share them with other dog owners on our Facebook page!