Are you a new dog owner or have you recently adopted a furry friend? If so, one of the first things you’ll want to teach your dog is how to come when called. Having a strong recall command is not only essential for their safety, but it also builds trust and confidence between you and your dog. In this article, you’ll discover some valuable tips and techniques for teaching your dog to come, provided by renowned trainer Lucinda Glenny. From basic obedience training to more advanced exercises, you’ll have all the tools you need to successfully train your dog. So let’s get started and create a strong bond with your furry companion!
Basic Obedience Training
When you first bring home a new puppy or adopt a rescue dog, one of the most important things you can do is start training them in basic obedience. Obedience training not only helps to establish a strong bond between you and your dog, but it also teaches them important skills that will keep them safe and well-behaved. From basic commands like sit and stay to more complex behaviors like recall, basic obedience training lays the foundation for a well-behaved and happy dog.
Benefits of a Strong Recall
One of the most important skills you can teach your dog is a strong recall, or the ability to come when called. A strong recall provides numerous benefits for both you and your dog. First and foremost, it ensures their safety, giving you peace of mind that they will always come back to you in any situation. Whether they accidentally slip out of a door or encounter a potentially dangerous situation, a strong recall can prevent accidents and keep your dog out of harm’s way. Additionally, a strong recall allows your dog more freedom to explore and play off-leash in safe and designated areas. It also helps to build focus, making it easier to navigate high-intensity and high-traffic situations like agility courses.
Puppy Training Tips from Trainer Lucinda Glenny CPDT-KA
Renowned trainer Lucinda Glenny CPDT-KA, owner of Canine Campus, specializes in working with dogs with anxiety issues. She shared her puppy training tips for teaching the recall cue, emphasizing the importance of starting early. The recall command should be one of the first commands you teach your puppy, as it establishes trust, confidence, and the expectation that your dog will come to you when called. Glenny’s gentle, consistent, and research-based approach to training has earned her an excellent reputation in the field.
How to Teach Your Dog to Come in 4 Easy Steps
Teaching your dog to come when called can be done in four easy steps.
Standing Recall
- Start in an enclosed, safe space indoors or in a garden with no distractions.
- Have your puppy sit and wait.
- Walk a few feet away and face your puppy.
- Call them to you by name or “come” while being inviting with your body language and holding a treat or toy. As they get close, drop a treat between your feet or knees to reward them when they come all the way to you.
Progress to bigger spaces and longer distances as your puppy becomes more reliable with the recall command. Use a leash initially in larger areas to ensure your puppy’s safety and guide them if they have trouble listening. Remember not to chase your dog if they do not come; instead, try to get them to chase you.
Chase Recall
- Begin with your puppy sitting and waiting.
- Move a few paces away from them and call them to you as you keep moving, enticing them to chase and catch you.
- Reward them with a tug toy or treat and engage with them.
Using both treats and toys as rewards, along with affection and verbal reinforcement, will help solidify the recall command for your dog. It’s essential to adapt the rewards to what motivates your dog best.
Training Kilo the Pug to Sit and Come Video
In the following video, you can see the steps taken to train Kilo the Pug in sit and come commands using reward-based positive training methods:
Training Kilo the Pug to Sit and Come Video
Training a Pug, known for their stubbornness, can be challenging, especially when it comes to recall with distractions. While Kilo has made great progress and generally responds well to the recall command now, it’s important to note that his recall may still not be reliable off-leash in certain situations. Training your dog requires patience, consistency, and understanding of their individual temperament and motivations. Keep training sessions positive, fun, and short, particularly for puppies.
Sponsor Thank You
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Remember, basic obedience training is key to establishing a strong bond with your dog and ensuring their safety and happiness. Start early, be patient, and enjoy the process of teaching your dog essential commands like recall.
