I can’t think of anything more frustrating than calling your dog and it ignores you and runs off!!!
It’s a total nightmare chasing after your dog that won’t come when called.
Dogs that don’t come when called is not only annoying, it's also a huge safety hazard! It is so important you can trust your dog to come back to you especially in dangerous circumstances.
SO WHY ISN’T YOUR DOG COMING BACK?
There’s loads of reasons why they aren’t coming back and here are a few for you to consider why it’s happening with your dog.
You aren't rewarding the dog when it comes back
Now I don’t mean treats you may not even be giving them loads of fuss for returning to you. Take time to check what YOU do when the dog does return to you. REMEMBER all dogs are different some are motivated by having a fuss and a tickle on the tummy and others by treats.
Your Dog Sees Recall As A Punishment
Each time the dog has actually returned to you the dog has seen it as a punishment as you’re telling them off for what they did previously. YOU must catch yourself doing this and fix it fast. Praise them when they come back then take them back to the area where they misbehaved and correct them. Doing praise in one area and correction in another area makes the dog understand.
You’re Getting Your Dog Confused
Your dog gets confused and doesn’t know or understand right from wrong. Your dog must have some fun, Why? When you recall your dog when it’s having fun such as playing with another dog and there’s no reward when they return your dog will see recall as a punishment.
You’ve Made Things Too Difficult Too Soon
I can’t stress how important it is when you teach your dog how to come back. You MUST use the same command every time and start in an area where there’s very minimal distractions. You only increase the difficulty as your dog starts to improve. Don’t rush too quickly either a recall can simply be two steps to start with and then build up the distance gradually.
Find areas in the house where you can close a door and work on your recall, make sure there’s no loud noises like the television that can distract your dog from returning to you when called.
SAY IT ONCE AND ONCE ONLY
If you’re doing your training correctly but are saying come again and again and again your dog will start to ignore you. This is because there’s either no correction when they ignore you or there’s no reward when they come back. Simply say the phrase (dogs name first) come… If the dog ignores you then you must correct the dog in the area where it ignored you.
DON’T under any circumstances correct your dog when it comes back, simply put its lead on and be very quiet. Don’t even talk to your dog, take it back to the place where you called its name to come back and correct it.
HERE’S HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DOG TO COME WHEN YOU CALL IT
- USE A SIMPLE WORD TO UNDERSTAND. I use the word (say dogs name first) come. Why do I always use their name first? Because it gets their attention and if you’ve done the basics correctly by simply rewarding when they look at you when you say their name they will come back.
- MAKE A HIGH VALUE ASSOCIATION. You can either use lots of praise or an extremely delicious treat. The treat could be cheese, chicken or pieces of fat leftover from a piece of steak or bacon. Whatever treat you use it needs to be something different from their normal food.
HERE’S HOW TO DO IT
The steps are simple, but with everything in life if you don’t do it correctly or in the right order it won’t work.
- Say your dog's name, followed by the word come. We start with your dog's name so they make eye contact with you.
- Immediately after saying come, give lots of praise and encouragement for your dog to come to you. Do not give up and do not stop praising until they get to you.
- When they arrive, give them lots of fuss or a delicious treat. Give the fuss or delicious treat immediately when your dog arrives. At this stage do not ask for a sit or any other behaviour.
- Repeat this at least 10 times, then have a little break. Put your dog back into its crate. Repeat another 10 times and finish the training session.
CRITICAL DETAILS:
Never, ever ever repeat the word come. Simply say it once and give lots of verbal praise and body language to encourage your dog to come to you.
Use your super delicious treat wisely. Do not give your dog your chosen delicious treat at any time other than for a recall.
Once you’ve completed this exercise 2-3 times you’ll only need a few treats a day. REMEMBER Don't overdo it!
DO NOT show your delicious treat If you're using food, the food should not be visible to the dog.
When you start this exercise eliminate as many distractions as possible. It needs to be in an area where only you and whatever reward you decide to give fuss or a delicious treat are of the utmost importance.
