Before we get into the top dog recall techniques, let us understand why do dogs wander off. Well, they could be chasing a squirrel or find something interesting outside as they are inquisitive. They obviously know that they will return to you at some point. When you call them, they may not come back immediately as they find the outside stimuli more interesting than being with you right now as you are the stagnant part of their life. This does not mean your furry friend does not love you; of course, they do, but it is just playtime for them outside.
So why bother if they will come back to you, apparently? Well, because it is unsafe for your dog to roam outside on the streets as they may get hurt or get hit by a vehicle.
So now you know why your canine friend wanders off and how essential it is to teach them recall, let’s get to the tips of making recall effective.
1. Use Only One Command for Recall:
Dogs are smart and can be trained well if you do it the right way. Remember to be consistent in using the recall word. If you do not use it properly, the dog will get confused and not really understand what you mean.
2. Start from Short Recall:
Dogs have a small attention span. This means if you are training your dog to come back to you and you let the dog wander off far away before calling him, it will not work. Take small steps using the recall word as soon as the animal takes a few steps away from you. When they get good with coming back from a short distance, try long-distance recall training.
3. Be Consistent with Your Reward:
Ok, so the dog wanders off as it finds something more interesting than being around you right now, so you need to associate your recall command with something really positive, which dogs cannot resist. This most commonly is treats. Always use treats while training when the dog comes back to you. This will teach them that something more exciting will happen when they come to you. Use a praise word, too, so that they know what they did was right. Also, never do anything negative after recalling the dog as they need to feel positive around the recall phrase.
4. Make Use of Training Collars:
Few people assume it is cruel, but honestly, it is not as it can save your dog’s life. While positive reinforcement is the best way to go about it, the best training collar for stubborn dogs is the only way to deal with a dog that can be a danger to themselves. Dog Training Collar allows you to correct your dog instantly, and it is remotely operated, so even if your dog has wandered off far from you, you can help him stay safe and recall.
The Bottom Line- Know When to Go Leash Free:
Once you have trained your dog well with recall, you may be tempted to go leash-free always, but it is not advisable. If you know the environment is safe and known to the dog, you can let them leash-free, but if you take them to a busy street or some new place, do not take chances. Remember, you are the pet parent, and your dog’s safety is your priority.