Teaching your dog to come when called is an essential skill that can help keep them safe and prevent potential dangers. Whether you’re in the park or at home, having a reliable recall can give you peace of mind and ensure that your dog doesn’t get into any trouble.
Here are some tips on how to teach your dog to come when called:
- Start in a quiet, distraction-free environment
Begin by practicing in a quiet, distraction-free environment, such as a room in your home. It’s important to start with minimal distractions to help your dog focus on you and the task at hand. Once your dog has mastered coming when called in a quiet environment, you can gradually increase the level of distraction.
- Be enthusiastic (even if you aren’t).
When you call your dog, use a positive and encouraging tone. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and are more likely to repeat a behavior when it’s associated with rewards. Use a happy and upbeat tone of voice to get your dog’s attention and encourage them to come to you.
- Pick your cue and stick to it
Choose a cue or phrase to use when calling your dog. It could be as simple as “come” or “here.” Use the same cue every time you call your dog to help them associate the word with the behavior you want them to perform.
- Use treats and rewards
Use treats and rewards to encourage your dog to come when called. When your dog responds to your command and comes to you, reward them with praise, a treat, or a favorite toy. This positive reinforcement will help your dog associate coming when called with positive outcomes. You need to be the best option, so help your dog know that great things happen when they get to you.
- Practice regularly
Practice calling your dog to come regularly to reinforce the behavior. Make it a fun and rewarding experience for your dog, and they will be more likely to respond to your commands. You can practice calling your dog in different locations and under different circumstances to help them learn to come when called in any situation.
Playing games is a great way to improve your dog’s recall and make it more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend. Here are some fun games you can play to enhance your dog’s recall:
- Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is an excellent game to help your dog learn to come when called. Start by having your dog sit and stay while you hide. Then call your dog to come to you, and reward them with praise and treats when they find you. You can gradually increase the difficulty by hiding in different places or making it more challenging for your dog to find you.
- Fetch
Playing fetch is a classic game that can also improve your dog’s recall. Start by throwing a ball or a toy a short distance and calling your dog to come back to you. When your dog returns with the toy, reward them with praise and a treat. Gradually increase the distance you throw the toy and make it more challenging for your dog to retrieve it.
- Come When Called Tag
This game involves two people, with one person holding your dog while the other person runs away. Once the person is a distance away, they call your dog to come to them. When your dog reaches the other person, they give them a treat and praise, and then the person who called your dog takes over holding them. This game helps your dog learn to come when called, even when they are distracted.
- Treat Toss
In this game, you simply call your dog to come to you and then toss a treat a short distance away. When your dog goes to retrieve the treat, call them back to you and reward them with praise and another treat. This game helps your dog learn to come back to you, even when there are distractions around.
Remember that teaching your dog to come when called takes patience and consistency. With time and practice, your dog will learn to come when called, which will help keep them safe and give you peace of mind. make these games fun and enjoyable for your dog, and always reward them with treats and praise for coming when called. With practice and consistency, these games can help improve your dog’s recall and keep them safe in different situations.
