My Dog’s Recall is Weak.
Question:
My dog’s recall is weak. Once there’s a varmint she smells in the back yard or dog park, her ears appear to shut down and she tunes out the world. What do I do?
ANSWER:
You can’t expect her to come to you when you’re in the kitchen, and then move outside and have her come to you while a tantalizing squirrel whizzes by and distracts her. Slowly increase the degree of difficulty as well as the distractions. Don’t expect him to understand or respond equally well to a recall in the kitchen and a recall in the field without first practicing in the yard, the play ground, and the park first.
The only real rule in dog training is don’t let the dog screw up. If you don’t know if he’s really going to come, don’t waste your breathe. Build his success in increments as you build your relationship with your dog. Put him on a long line with really good smelly treats in your hand, and well before he gets to end of the long line ask him to come. Then ask him to come when he’s 10 feet away, and then again at 16 feet away. That way you have set him up for success. When you’re first practicing a recall, be sure you know that dog is going to come as each success builds on itself. Each failure also builds on itself, so make sure that the dog is going to be successful by having good enough treats, a controlled enough environment for his skill level, and much praise and patience while you practice, practice, practice. By the way, when working with a long line I prefer using a harness rather than a collar so there’s no pressure or risk of injury to his neck.
Marjie Alonso, CDBC, CPDT, is the owner and operator of City Dog Training in Cambridge, MA. She is president of International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, training director of the New England Dog Training Club, and an evaluator for AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program.
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Excellent tips. I’ll definately try these thoughts on my own dogs.
your dog is a siberian husky and is the smartest, most independant and hard-headed dogs of any breed .They are not for someone who has no previous experience with them. Read about the chirchi people who bred them originally. I have a 10 year old male who is perfectly trained for all commands, if he feels like it. He understands more of the English language than most teenagers and has just as much selective hearing and compliance with rules as they so. He is great with young and old alike; gentle, loving and adjusts his behavior accordingly. When someone says they would love to have one, I inform them against. Lucas walks well on a leash and knows his commands, usually with only a look from me. He pulls me on a mountain bike and loves to swim. I love him and he returns that love equally so.
He was five weeks old when I got him. He is AKC registered and is black and white. My yard looked a bomb field when he was young, and no fence can be totally husky proof. I had to be the alpha in training, and only used positive reinforcement. They will not respond to negative and will incure more bad qualities, including biting and destructiness. I have raised several huskies over the years. I would not even consider any other breed to own personally, but I don’t recommend them for most people. I love siberians. They are incredible, mentally and physically. Mine opens doors, and I have been locked out of my own house by by him. I swear I could hear him snicker when he hit the dead bolt. (I keep extra house keys on me, now). When he goes to day care, he has opened his kennel and then his buddies. He turns the knobs of the back door with his paws, out to the play area. The owners have reinforced the bottom of the fence with concrete, thankfully.
I wish you well and if you ever have a question, I will do my best to help if emailed. Lucas hopes you learn what a special breed they are. Good luck.