Labrador Training as a Way to Teach A Dog Better Recall
Ever experienced walking your dog in some park, only to punctuate your dog with shouting and bellowing because it is now hot on the trail of something and is not paying the least attention to you? Indeed, it is not enough knowing that the dog has no way, for example, to control its inclination to follow a scent. Being able to truly recall your dog at any time is a critical skill in Labrador training. Recall is the hallmark of a responsible dog handler-owner-trainer.
What could be the possible reasons why a dog refuses to “come”?
a) First of all, some dogs have already experienced approaching, only to be turned away or ignored. This is obviously confusing to the dog!
b) Some dogs are pursuing what totally taps into what they were born to go after: a squirrel, a totally absorbing odor, etc.
c) Owners can also end up creating a link between the “come” gesture and what the dog is exactly up to at that time.
If you want a simple and plain way to training your dog in recall, the training needs to happen in an area that has limited distractions. Remember to never vary how you use the recall command (same tone, exact same words). Then try calling the dog’s name all day, getting it to come to you and giving it a treat or playing its favorite game if it approaches. The whole point of it is that the dog needs to see that coming to you is fun and rewarding.
Once the dog is used to coming when its name is called, add the recall command and get it used to the sound.
Third, once the dog has got the hang of the recall command, try mixing in a few distractions. Keep the dog on a long lead and see if it will still come to you.
Third, when the dog has got the hand of the recall command through your Labrador training, drop by some park where it is secure to walk off-leash dogs. You may also want to visit this park together with another dog owner that is used to wide spaces. Recall both dogs, and reward the one that returns first.
