Recall

[Jetty]

I took Jet to see a behaviourist on Saturday to help with his slight case of fear agression. It was really helpful and I can see improvements already. She asked me to practice recall as Jet has a mind of his own and if he doesn't want to come he won't. I was wanting to see what more of you advanced training people use as the command word? I was using "come on" but I do not know if it has been efficent enough.

I have been using a long lead calling "Jet, come one come one" then saying "yes, good boy" Then giving him a pat or a treat. Please correct me if this is not the right way to do it. I know its a long process I am just wanting to know the best way to start out basic.

Also what have people found to work best treat wise? I have been using Lamb Puffs but have ran out and I am going to get some more treats today but thinking of trying something different.

Thanks

[megan_]

A lot of people use the Really Reliable Recall system with success.

I trained my boy on a long line - no off leash until recall was perfect. I'd pick a new word if I was you - the one you have is "tainted" and has lost meaning to him. Also, only say it once. If he doesn't come back, I'd use a marker word (in my case "too bad"), walk up to him and put him on the short leash. Walk quickly and no sniffing etc. My boy got the message pretty soon that "come back and I get rewarded, don't listen and the fun all stops".

[MonElite]

I use two words

HERE when I want the dog to just come near me

COME when I want the dog to do a formal recall with a sit in front of me

[Jetty]

okay thanks guys. sometimes when I call him he will come close to me but won't come close enough for me to touch him which is a pain if I need to put a collar on him or something.

ETA: then if I walk towards him he will run away again.

Edited January 14, 2010 by jettyjet

[megan_]

okay thanks guys. sometimes when I call him he will come close to me but won't come close enough for me to touch him which is a pain if I need to put a collar on him or something.

ETA: then if I walk towards him he will run away again.

He should only get treated when he comes right to you (or sits in front of you - you decide the rule but always apply it consistently). Once he is (say) sitting in front of you, say your release word then treat. If he stops too far away, say "too bad" (or whatever you chose), gather up the long line and he gets the short leash, boring walk.

You can also practice getting him to like the leash being put on. I say "leash time", put it on then treat. So "leash time" is a fun activity.

[Jetty]

okay thanks guys. sometimes when I call him he will come close to me but won't come close enough for me to touch him which is a pain if I need to put a collar on him or something.

ETA: then if I walk towards him he will run away again.

He should only get treated when he comes right to you (or sits in front of you - you decide the rule but always apply it consistently). Once he is (say) sitting in front of you, say your release word then treat. If he stops too far away, say "too bad" (or whatever you chose), gather up the long line and he gets the short leash, boring walk.

You can also practice getting him to like the leash being put on. I say "leash time", put it on then treat. So "leash time" is a fun activity.

That would help alot actually thanks. There are just all these little things that need improving.

[Tassie]

Good advice from Megan - and yes, two different words is good - one for 'come back to me" and the other for the forml obedience front.

I get my puppy class people to play the collar grab game - make a game of touching at first, progressing to grabbing the dog's collar, and reward handsomely - progress slowly - not all in one session.

I also get them, when they're starting little recalls on lead, always to reach their hand under the dog's neck and touch the collar while they are treating for the coming back. So the dog gets used to the idea that with the informal recall, the good things don't come till your hand has touched the collar.

Make sure that you release the dog after treating for coming - use your go free word, and let the dog go off to the end of the lead again - or have more independence on the long line - maybe a little game (still with the long line on - then call again, touch collar/grab collar - treat - ... rinse and repeat. The idea of this is that coming to you does not ean the end of fun.

And my two do have a 'lead time' cue - I also will reward them for coming to me (either because they've been called, or because they're just checking in) several times during a walk.