How to Train a Dog to Perform A Recall
- 1). Place the collar and lead on the dog. He will learn much faster and feel much more comfortable if you begin his recall training on lead.
- 2). Walk forward and ask the dog to sit by your left side. Be sure she sits straight and reward her for sitting quietly. If she does not sit correctly or moves around, give her the command to sit again and wait until she is sitting properly before proceeding.
- 3). Give your dog the command to wait and take a step away from him starting with your right foot. Your right foot is the foot furthest away from your dog and she will be less likely to want to follow you if you start walking with your right foot.
- 4). Take one or two steps away from your dog and turn and face him. Stand directly in front of the dog and give him the command for the recall. It can be something as simple as “come” or any other command of your choice, as long as you use the same command every time you work on the recall.
- 5). Step back a few paces and reel the dog into you by picking up the slack in the lead. Continue to call the dog to you, and stop after you and the dog have taken a few steps back.
- 6). Ask the dog to sit directly in front of you when you stop. Reward the dog when she is sitting still and offer her a favorite treat as praise. Let her know she is a good dog and release her from the sit.
- 7). Continue working on this same exercise pattern, increasing the number of steps back you take each time your dog performs the exercise correctly. He will soon associate the come command with running to you and sitting down in front of you.
- 8). Remove your dog’s lead and work on the recall from a distance. Have your dog sit and walk 20 to 30 steps away from her. Turn and face your dog and give her the command to come without backing up. She should still run to you enthusiastically and sit in front of you. Offer her a treat and praise when she performs correctly.
- 9). Practice the recall in a variety of situations with numerous distractions. If your dog happens to make a mistake, back up to the previous step and make sure he is performing without a problem before moving onto something more advanced. Work with your dog frequently and consistently and you will soon have a dog that will come to you no matter what situation arises.
