10/04/2024
Valuable recall information from our local dog trainer
7 steps to teaching a Reliable Recall
Step One:
Condition the Positive Interrupter without The Spin-Around
Follow these steps:
1. A strong HAPPY call “Rover, HERE”
2. Mark and Reward
3. Repeat 5 sets of 10 reps
(please note you can use any interrupter word I’m using “HERE” for this example)
Step Two:
Condition the Positive Interrupter with The Spin-Around
When the dog is looking away from you, follow these steps:
1. A strong HAPPY call “Rover, HERE” (imagine they are looking at a rabbit … in your lounge room)
2. The dog orients back to you
3. Mark and Reward
4. Repeat 5 sets of 10 reps
Remember:
This is only Step Two!!
You are marking and rewarding the “spin-around.”
You are not asking for a recall!!
You are only conditioning the positive interrupter, so that every time you call “Rover, Here!” that strong happy call has him turn around.
Stay close to your dog so you can reward quickly.
Surprise him when he is looking away with that strong call.
Repeat until the spin-around is very solid and then increase distance.
Mark and reward
Step Three:
Add the Anchor (indoors)
When your dog is not looking at you
1. Call with a happy voice, “Rover HERE”
2. When he redirects his attention to you run backwards 1 to 2m and with a rising pitch voice, add the anchor, “Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, …. or Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep ….. ” Or something similar
3. Increase distance moving backwards. For safety: look out for trip hazards and bend knees
4. When he gets to you reward richly.
5. Repeat 5 sets of 10 reps
Step Four: HAVE FUN
1. Play hide and seek and other games like Ping pong or Bowling indoors
2. Mark and Reward
Step Five: Taking it outdoors (no distractions)
Close to the front of the house
Have your dog on a light, dragging loose lead. When your dog is not looking at you:
1. Call with a happy voice, “Rover HERE”
2. When he redirects his attention to you run backwards 1 to 2m AND with a rising pitch voice, add the anchor, “Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, …. or Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep ….. ” Or something similar
3. Increase distance moving backwards. For safety: look out for trip hazards and bend knees
4. When he gets to you - reward richly.
5. Repeat 5 sets of 10 reps
Step Six: Taking it outdoors - SCAFFOLD DISTANCES.
Add small increases and some easy wins.
Have your dog on a light, dragging loose lead. When your dog is not looking at you:
1. Call with a happy voice, “Rover HERE”
2. When he redirects his attention to you run backwards 1 to 5m AND with a rising pitch voice, add the anchor, “Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, …. or Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep …..” Or something similar
3. Increase distance moving backwards. For safety: look out for trip hazards and bend knees
4. When he gets to you reward richly.
5. Repeat 5 sets of 10 reps
Step Seven: Taking it outdoors - SCAFFOLD DISTRACTIONS and GENERALISE to different locations.
Add small ones AND give some EASY wins.
Have your dog on a light, dragging loose lead. When your dog is not looking at you:
1. Call with a happy voice, “Rover HERE”
2. When he redirects his attention to you run backwards 1 to 2m AND with a rising pitch voice, add the anchor, “Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, Pup, …. or Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep …..” Or something similar
3. Increase distance moving backwards. For safety: look out for trip hazards and bend knees
4. When he gets to you reward richly.
5. Repeat 5 sets of 10 reps
The success of your recall will depend on how good the Spin-Around skill is and how good the Anchor skill is, they both have to be practiced to a high level of reliability and precision, increasing distractions and distance and working on a long lead until you are sure there is no chance of failure
