Want a Better Recall?

Do you wish your dog would always come when called?

If your current cue isn’t working very well, it will actually be easier to introduce a new cue and train it properly than to try to fix the one that’s not working.

4 common mistakes explain why you should change your current cue:

• it has accidentally been “poisoned” by a consequence they don’t love, like head patting or rough petting, or the end of fun

• it lacks a strong history of reinforcement (what the dog values)  and has been ignored so many times that it’s almost meaningless

• it wasn’t trained with distractions and distance (separately)

• and many dogs have learned to wait until you show them the money!

Training with positive reinforcement versus the old way is the difference between making them do something and making them want to do what you ask!  Without ever showing a treat or shaking a bag of them!

We want to teach our dogs that good things happen when they come, especially when they come away from something interesting or exciting.

Reinforcing good choices is not bribing; it’s about consequences. Remember that behavior is driven by consequences.

This works way better than using a commanding tone, pulling on the leash, nagging, or “correcting” for noncompliance.

Consistent reinforcement makes desirable (and undesirable!) behaviors stronger, so they quickly become habits.

So what does your dog LOVE? For most dogs, valuable reinforcers are meaty treats, neck, chest or butt scratches, enthusiastic (sincere) praise, and/or a game of tug or chase that toy. Sometimes we can also release them to go back to what they were doing.

If you’re looking for a more reliable and happy response when you call your dog, get in touch to ask about my new recall package!