06/03/2024
Recalls: super important, don’t poison the cue!
ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?
I often cringe when I watch people trying to get their dogs to come back when they call.
They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.
When their dog eventually does come back, or has been chased and "captured” by the now really angry person, they get screamed at, yanked about, smacked or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening.
Why on earth would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!
Genetics may play a big part in this when an environment is far more stimulating and exciting.
Coming back to you is often the last thing a dog may want to do when genetic instinct is triggered.
An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to recall.
Genetics aside, the most common reason that dogs don’t come back when called is because it’s not a positive experience.
Make coming back to you worth it by always making it a rewarding experience and keep practicing this throughout a dog’s life.
Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.
There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it a rewarding experience will greatly improve the rate of success.
