Lesson Five - The "RECALL"

[cdshudson]

Good lord! I have said come like 20 times and Hudson just ignores me. However, when on the lead, if he doesn't respond and I give one simple tug; then he comes. In the house I have been using "treats" (just his dog food - shhh don't tell him lol) and it is working better. I think I need to learn to be more patient and continue training myself lol I like the idea of meal time being a training session. Gonna try it this week! THANKS

[Odin's Mom]

I read somewhere that "recall" should be based on their name. How does anyone feel about that??

Us.. we say.. "to me"... and it's nowhere near where it needs to be.. he won't leave my side for me to call him back if he knows I have treats.

[jrturk]

We use her name for attention, then give a command when she looks over. When we practice recall we let her out in the yard for at least few minutes (without treats in our pocket), then go back and get something high value (usually chicken or cheese). Then we say "Come!" in the happiest voice and treat. Sometimes send her back out to play, sometimes she comes inside.

[KDbeads]

We don't even have a word command for recall it's a whistle. Whippoorwill call to be exact. It's the only thing I can whistle. Works pretty fast too, only time I have trouble with the hearing part of the herd is when Gus is stuck in one of his compulsive moments and can't break out of it.
Most of the dogs that have come through here learn it pretty fast because it's so different from the rest of the commands here and it precedes them being brought back in for meals.

[TMONEY]

FWIW we are keeping little containers of treats all over the house so that when we call our puppy from another room we have a treat to give her.

She now thinks that if we yell to one another across the house she should stop what she's doing and come. We don't treat for this naturally but I do like that she is that eager to respond. Id rather have her come anytime we speak than the other way around for sure.

[supermomgonelazy]

I have always used this technique to no avail. My guy would think before he acts and decide whether or not he would give in.

Now I am using a trainer and her "tried and true" method is much the same with the exception that they get "jack pot" reward. 4 to 7 treats. I love the idea and it is working really well. The idea is to offer 4 to 7 treats they love each time you practice it. So they never stop to think whether or not to obey. They just know you're going to inundate them with treats and that is always more enticing than whatever they're after.

She calls it her "perfect recall" and to date it is. I love it immensely.

[Dididanes]

Will try some of these tips to get some better control of my dear danes thanks

[Louie Vuitton]

Distracted

I've had problems with danes in the past no returning when called if there is a distraction present. Does anyone have any ways around this issue? In the heat of the moment it seems treats don't do the trick no matter how many times we practice. Maybe I need to work on my own leadership skills.

[kahluadanes]

I've had problems with danes in the past no returning when called if there is a distraction present. Does anyone have any ways around this issue? In the heat of the moment it seems treats don't do the trick no matter how many times we practice. Maybe I need to work on my own leadership skills.

They need training on doing the recall when distractions are present.. No off leash until it has been earned. Use a long line and reel them in when you call.. Always practice in confined areas.. Never give a command that you can't enforce.. Getting the help of a good trainer to work with you and your dog in a group setting around lots of distractions is well worth it.

[mnmouse]

This, when training recall: Never give a command that you can't enforce

That means on a long line with literally hundreds of rewarded recalls, even if you have to reel them in, and doing it in many different environments with many different distractions.

What I've done that is VERY successful is to take the dog in a securely fenced but larger area, have them off-leash, then call their name (not the come command) just get their attention, eye contact, then...hide. Move out of sight behind a tree, drop down in the grass, around a corner, and stay there. Every single one of my dogs have come screaming back to me to see where I went--then I reward with happy praise and maybe high value meaty food reward, and let them go back to free range exploring.