5 Common Recall Mistakes:

Teaching your dog to come when called, is one of the most crucial skills for their safety and your peace of mind. However, many dog owners make common mistakes that hinder their recall success. In this blog post, we'll discuss five of these mistakes and how to avoid them to improve your dog's recall training.

1. It’s Not Rewarding!

Consistency is key in recall training. One common mistake is being inconsistent with reinforcement. If you call your dog and they come to you, but you don’t reward them, this can weaken the association between the cue and the desired behaviour. Ensure that you consistently reward your dog with treats, praise, or play whenever they respond to your recall cue - and ensure the reward you are using is actually rewarding for your individual dog.

2. Accidental Poisoning of Recall Cue

Another mistake is associating the recall command with negative situations, such as calling your dog to end playtime or to administer medication. If your dog learns that coming when called leads to unpleasant experiences, they may become hesitant or reluctant to respond in the future. Instead, make coming when called a positive experience by rewarding your dog with praise and treats, even if it means ending playtime temporarily.

3. Not Proofing Behaviour

We all want our dogs to recall under any circumstance, but many make the mistake of practicing recall only in low-distraction environments and when they attempt recalling their dog off lead in more stimulating environments, such as parks or busy streets, their dog ignores them. If your dog rehearses ignoring the recall cue, this will only worsen their response. Gradually increase the level of distraction during recall training, starting in quiet environments and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. Use high-value treats and toys to capture your dog's attention and reinforce their response despite distractions. Sonny and I did a lot of practice in car parks as grass was just too exciting for him!

4. Punishment

Not only is using punishment when your dog fails to come when called is counterproductive, it can damage your relationship with them. If your dog associates returning to you with punishment, they're less likely to respond to your recall command in the future. Avoid scolding, yelling, or using aversive methods when your dog doesn't respond promptly. Instead, remain calm, use a long line to prevent running off, go to your dog, and use games to make recall fun.

5. Not Enough Practice

Recall training is an ongoing process that requires consistent practice throughout your dog's life. One common mistake is assuming that once your dog has learned the recall cue, they will always respond reliably. Dogs require regular reinforcement and practice to maintain their recall skills, especially in various environments and situations. Make recall training a part of your daily routine, incorporating short training sessions and reinforcing the behaviour regularly.

Recall training is essential for your dog's safety and well-being, but it requires patience, consistency, and dedication. By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on positive reinforcement, gradual exposure to distractions, and consistent practice, you can improve your dog's recall skills and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing they'll come when called, no matter the circumstances.

Need more advice? Check out our upcoming Rover, Return! Recall Groups