Leslie Nelson - Really Reliable Recall Booklet

Tails-U-Winl Canine Center, LLC
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Manchester, Ct. 06040
860-646-5033
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Copyright 2002 Leslie Nelson

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The Really Reliable Recall is dedicated to all the wonderful Afghan Hounds I have shared my life with, who, with patience and persistence have helped me understand how precious it is to have a dog come to you, to the thousands of students, both canine and human, who have added to that knowledge and, finally, to all the dogs everywhere who need a really reliable recall so they too can run free.

Really Reliable Recall

RRR .. What is it?

The Really Reliable Recall is having your dog come immediately when called, the first time you call him, no matter what he is doing. It works at a distance, when he is with other dogs, when he is greeting other people, chasing squirrels or sniffing in holes. He doesnt think, he doesnt decide, he just comes to you. Its not your everyday recall that you use countless times a day. Its your emergency recall; the one you use when you need instant response. It keeps your dog safe and gives you peace of mind. Its special.

How do we teach it?

It is really pretty easy to teach, but before we start, lets take a minute and make sure we are ready to begin. The RRR is trained using positive reinforcement to reward correct behavior. Positive reinforcement training has three elements and each element plays an important role.

1. Management : Planning ahead to set up for success

2. Relationship : Built on trust and cooperation

3. Training : Modify behavior with positive reinforcement

If you have good management and a strong relationship you are already well on your way to success.

Management: Plan ahead to set up for success

The Right Start

If you are training a puppy, you are already setting up for success. Start your recall training immediately, before your puppy learns bad habits. Puppies, because they are not yet independent, tend to stay close to us and come when called pretty easily. Dont take it for granted, because it wont last. As they grow and become more independent, they will range further from you and return less willingly. Some dogs, and especially some breeds, become independent and far ranging very quickly. Other dogs are more inclined to stay close to us, but will still learn bad habits if you dont set up for success.

Take advantage of your puppys need to stay close to you. When you take him outside for a walk around the yard let him be off leash dragging a string or light cord attached to a buckle collar. 10 to 20 feet of line should be fine, taking into consideration the size and speed of your puppy. Tie several knots in the cord so that you can easily stop your pups progress if you step on the cord. Get in the habit of carrying yummy treats wherever you go. Get a fanny pack, carpenters apron or use your pocket.

Whenever you pup comes back to you, even if you didnt call him, tell him how marvelous he is and give him treats. Every so often call him to you, just using his name followed by Pup, Pup in an inviting tone. When he gets to you tell him how incredible he is and give him more treats. Find other places where you can safely walk your puppy and do the same thing there. If he becomes distracted and doesnt respond when you call his name, step on his string. As soon as he looks back at you, encourage him to you.. Pup, Pup, Pup reward with praise and treats and, if possible, send him back to whatever distracted him.

If you live where you cant safely do this with your puppy, use a leash, as long as possible, to go in and out and find areas where you can safely use a cord to walk your puppy. The more your puppy is off leash, the easier it is to teach him to come to you reliably.

Play lots of hide and seek games with your puppy. When your puppy isnt looking, run and hide, calling as you run out of sight. Play in the house and outside. When he finds you, reward enthusiastically.

Consider your puppys breed and personality. The more independent and free thinking he is, the more effort you will put into reinforcing the value of coming to and paying attention to you! The more effort you put into this early training, the easier it will be to teach a truly Really Reliable Recall.

Is it Too Late?

If you are past the puppy stage, and your dog comes when he feels like it and ignores you when something more interesting is happening, is it too late to train a really Reliable Recall? If you have recently adopted an adult dog, can he still be trained to come when called? If your dog is never free, and when he finally gets lose, he runs until he drops, is there any hope for him?

It is never too late. Teaching your dog to come when called is just like teaching him to sit or shake hands. The same principles apply. If he is already ignoring you or running away, it will take longer and be more challenging, but it is never too late.

It is very important for your dog to have safe off leash time to enjoy doing dog things. Dogs that never get off leash are very hard to teach to come when called. There is not much you can offer as a reward that is better than finally being free.

If you have an area that is safe and preferably fenced, you can do the same things suggested for puppies. Reward your dog with wonderful treats and sincere appreciation every time he checks in with you. Play hide and seek with him. Run away when he is not looking and reward him with treats and love when he finds you. Play retrieving games with him. You also can let your dog drag a long line from his buckle collar while he is running free. If your dog is large and fast, be careful if he is dragging a line. It can easily tangle around your feet and give a bad burn. Dont have children present when using the line. If you need to stop your dog, step on the line if necessary, dont grab it with your hand!

If you do not have a place to safely take your dog off leash, you will have to be more creative. Borrow a friends or relatives yard, pay a neighbor for the use of their yard, use a ball field or tennis court that allows dogs. Your training will be much easier if you find a safe place for your dog to exercise.

Until your dog is trained, try not to call him when you know he is not apt to come to you. The best way to get an untrained dog to come to you when he has other ideas is to carry great treats and run away from him. If you really need to get him, try running away and laying on the ground. Few dogs can resist the sight of their owner laying on the ground. Its not dignified, but it works! Chasing after a dog that you cant catch isnt very dignified either and it doesnt work.

Relationship built on Trust and Cooperation