It can be very frustrating for owners when we want to be able to let our dogs off the lead but we can't guarantee they will come back! Recall is one of the main commands that people struggle with, and this blog aims to discuss some common reasons why your dog won't recall, with the aim of helping you identify why your recall might not be as strong as you would like. Once you have identified the things holding you back, you should be in a much better position to address them and move forward in your journey to a reliable recall!
Before we get started, I think it is necessary to discuss whether there is such thing as a 100% recall or perfect recall. Dogs are sentient beings and there is no such thing as perfect, but at the same time it is important to get as close to 100% as possible if you are to keep your dog safe and be respectful of other people,dogs and wildlife. So it is more realistic to talk about a "reliable" recall than a "perfect" recall.
So what are some of the reasons why your dog maybe won't recall?
They don't know what a recall actually is
On the most basic level, your dog must know the behaviour that forms a recall to be able to come back to you when called. It is important to remember that this takes time and repetition, and just because your dog sometimes comes to you when you call their name doesn't necessarily mean that they know what their recall is. So, unless you have spent time showing your dog what "here," "come" or whatever other command (or whistle) you have chosen, then perhaps they don't actually know what you are asking of them. So, if you are struggling with your recall, go back to basics and check whether your dog actually understands what you are asking of them.
A quick tip when teaching your recall is to consider using a word other than just your dog's name. If you say your dog's name in other situations to get their attention then you aren't consistently teaching a recall, and chances are you will be unknowingly weakening the command. So, unless the recall is the only time that you say their name then consider pairing it with another word such as "Rover, come".
It's also important to ensure you can physically reinforce the command you are using and reward accordingly. So if you are practicing recall, don't immediately let your dog off the lead, recall them and then hope for the best as if they don't recall, you're going to be in a difficult situation. Pop them on a longline so they have space and you still have control and work up from there!
They think it is optional
If your dog learns that recall is optional then you will likely struggle to get your dog fully off lead. This has a lot to do with time and consistency, and is where a lot of people fail. Ask yourself what percentage of the time out of 100% your dog will recall immediately. When I say immediately, that doesn't mean in their own time or the second or third time that you ask, nor does it mean allowing them to take a longwinded route back to you! Immediately means that they hear the recall command and come straight back to you as soon as you have asked, without taking any diversions or having a quick sniff as they go.
Often, our dogs start to learn a recall and we are in such a hurry to give them freedom that we let them off lead before they are quite ready. They then don't recall once or twice because the behaviour isn't completely proofed, or they take their time and we have no way of completing the recall because we have let them off too soon. Whilst the dog has not ignored your recall deliberately at first, the more this happens the more they will then learn that recalling is optional and they don't have to come back, or that they can come back but in their own time.
If you have identified that your dog does know what a recall is, because they do it sometimes, then have a think about how often they don't recall. If you have no way of bringing them back to you then each time that they don't recall you are weakening your recall and getting further and further away from 100%. This is where a long line is always your friend, and there is never any harm keeping one on for longer than you need whilst you proof the command.
The environment is more rewarding than you
We often meet dogs that have a great recall when there are no distractions, but as soon as another dog or person appears it goes out of the window. Another situation might be if you go to a more exciting place where there are lots of different smells. This links to the above point in that if your dog's recall is not proofed then they will find it harder to recall away from these distractions, but also in that they can start to learn that the environment holds much more value to them that you do.
If you want your dog to want to come back to you then it has to be rewarding for them. You can absolutely train your dog to come back to you because they have to, and in some situations this is going to be unavoidable, but if they actually want to come back to you then this makes it much more enjoyable for all involved. It is therefore important to identify what your dog finds inherently rewarding and use this as motivation, whether that be through treats, play or physical affection. Another reward might be allowing your dog to go back to the environment itself, so for example by recalling them away from a dog that they were playing with, and then releasing them straight back to go and play again. This way, the recall is never the end of the fun, just a way of getting back to the fun. This isn't necessarily going to create a completely fool proof recall on its own, but it will certainly help!
Your dog has a high prey drive
Now, there are some situations where it is impossible to be the most rewarding thing. The enjoyment that some dogs get out of hunting or chasing a prey animal is something that we may never be able to trump. This is why it is so important for dogs to learn that recall is not optional, and that regardless of the distraction "here" means "here". Some dogs, especially those with incredibly high prey drives, may be unlikely to reliably recall without the help of additional training aids, and this does not necessarily mean that your training isn't working or you aren't doing something right.
We believe that all dogs are capable of being off lead and recalling reliably, and so if this is your goal then it is absolutely achievable. If you are able to identify where your recall is going wrong then you will be in a much better position to work on it, and if you need any help in doing so then we are always here to troubleshoot and help you get closer to that 100% recall!
コメント