Dog Training and Behavior
- 1. The Power of Positive Dog Training
- 2. The Benefits of Crate Training
- 3. Crate Training
- 4. Teaching Your Dog to "Leave It"
- 5. Keeping Your Dog Busy
- 6. How To Teach a Dog "Down"
- 7. Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called
- 8. Coming When Called
- 9. When Your Dog Won't Come When Called
Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called
Pamela J. Reid, Ph.D., ASPCA
Teaching your dog to come when he is called is the most important lesson you can impart to him. A dog that responds immediately and consistently when you call him can enjoy freedoms that other dogs cannot. Such a dog can play in the dog run, hike with you in leash-free parks, and keep out of trouble in most any situation. Even if you never plan to have your dog off his leash, things happen. Collars break, leashes slip, gates or doors are inadvertently left open. When an accident happens, having a reliable “recall” on your dog could very well save his life. While this article can’t cover all the different exercises that contribute to a solid recall, I’ve outlined a couple of fundamental ones.
A Fundamental Rule
Whether you’re teaching a young puppy or an older dog
you’ve rescued from the shelter, the first step is always
to establish that coming to you is the best thing he can do. When
your dog comes to you unprompted, acknowledge that you appreciate
his attention. You can do that with smiles, praise, affection,
games, or treats. This ensures that he will continue to
“check in” with you on a frequent basis. In addition,
when you call your dog and he complies, similarly lavish him with
what he values most. NEVER call your dog and do something he
doesn’t enjoy, like bathe him, clip his nails, scold him,
or even ignore him. When you have to do something he
doesn’t like, refrain from calling him; simply go and get
him from wherever he is. He should always trust that something
wonderful happens when he comes to you.
What should you do if you call your dog and he doesn’t come right away? Renowned animal trainer Kathy Sdao uses the parable of The Prodigal Son to teach the importance of always rewarding your dog for coming to you. If you recall, the story is of a father with two sons. He divides their inheritance between them and the youngest son squanders his wealth on wild living while the eldest son stays home and tends the farm. Eventually the young son runs out of money and returns home. The father, rather than chastising the son and turning him away, greets him with open arms and calls for a celebratory feast, proclaiming “my son was lost but now is found.” Remember this story the next time your dog comes to you, regardless of how furious you feel. He was lost but now has come. The only way your dog will continue to come to you when you call is to always greet him with open arms and a celebration.
The Name Game
Your dog can’t have a good recall if he doesn’t
recognize his name. Teach your dog to turn and look at you
whenever you say his name. Begin this in a quiet place, just as
the kitchen or living room. Be sure there are no distractions to
compete for the dog’s attention. Say his name in a clear
voice. If he turns to look at you, immediately say
“Yes!” and pull out his favorite toy or toss him a
tasty treat. Pay attention to him for a minute or so; then do
nothing. Wait until he loses interest in you. Then repeat the
sequence. If he doesn’t turn and look when you say his
name, don’t repeat it. Instead, turn and leave the room for
a few seconds, or run to a corner and play with the toy yourself,
or make a display of eating his treat yourself (choose the treats
wisely – cheese or wieners are good!). He will learn that
when you say his name, something fun is going to happen, and that
if he doesn’t pay attention to his name, he’s going
to miss out. Do this 3-5 times at any one time, but practice it
many times over the course of a few days. Gradually introduce
distractions: practice in different rooms in the house, in the
yard, on walks, and at the park; practice while the dog is
engaged in various activities, such as playing, chewing,
grooming, sleeping, etc.
Restrained Recalls
My favorite game takes advantage of the dog’s desire to
chase. Few dogs can resist the opportunity to chase their owner
running away from them. The inclination to chase can be
strengthened by holding the dog back until he becomes desperate.
The desperation intensifies the dog’s desire to chase to
the point that the dog runs to the owner as quickly as possible.
You need two people to play this game effectively. Play in an
enclosed area because the dog needs to be off-leash. Have your
assistant hold the dog by the collar (a buckle collar, not a
training collar) or by hugging around the dog’s chest. Jump
up and down in front of the dog, engaging the dog by waving a
favorite toy, teasing with an enticing treat, or nudging
playfully. After grabbing the dog’s attention, take off
running away from the dog, calling his name and encouraging him
to come. You should run as fast as you can, without looking back
at the dog. Ideally the dog struggles to follow you while your
assistant restrains the dog (while egging the dog on). After a
few seconds of struggling, the dog is released to chase. When the
dog catches up to you, reward with play or treats. The restraint
feeds the desire to chase so the dog’s response is intense.
The dog may need to experience this game a few times before
catching on. If the dog isn’t inclined to chase you, try
dragging a toy along the ground as you run. I like to drag a
plush toy or a furry mouse toy attached to a leash or rope. You
should only need to do this a few times. Make sure you run
directly away from the dog without turning or looking back.
Facing the dog will cause most dogs to slow down or lose interest
in the game. I always start this game by saying “are you
ready?” After a few repetitions, dogs just need to hear
that phrase and they come running in anticipation of a chase
game. Eventually, the game becomes a “back-up”
recall. If you call your dog and he doesn’t come, say
“are you ready?” while you turn and run a few steps.
Your dog will be with you in a flash!
At the Park
Never allow your puppy or dog
to be off-leash at the park until you have taught him to come
when called. Fit the dog with a line (a lightweight one for
puppies and small dogs) at least 20’ long. Walk along,
while holding the end of the line. Allow the line to drag along
the ground between you and the dog. Anytime he checks in with you
unprompted (when you haven’t called him), praise and reward
him, either with a tasty treat or a quick game. In addition,
watch for opportunities when you think he is highly likely to
come when you call. You don’t want to set him up to fail,
so avoid calling him if he’s sniffing a particularly
enticing smell, saying hello to another dog, or playing with some
leaves. When you think it’s a good time, call him in a
clear and inviting voice (“Dog’s name, Come! or
Here!). Turn and run away from him so he’ll be inclined to
chase you (take small steps if he’s a tiny puppy!). When he
catches you, lavish him with praise, play, and/or treats. Be
generous with your rewards!
It is common for people to fail to appreciate small steps toward the desired behavior. Suppose you call your dog and he comes running toward you, but before he makes it all the way, he gets distracted and stops to check out an interesting smell or to urinate on a bush. He will be much more likely to keep coming all the way to you if you praise and encourage him as soon as he starts moving in your direction. Call him and, as soon as he looks at you, praise and cheer him to continue. Then, if he should stop, you can give him feedback with an “uh uh” or a “hey” in a different tone of voice (displeased or surprised). When he looks at you, smile, call him again, and praise him as he does. Reward generously when he arrives.
© 2004 ASPCA
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Coming When Called
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