Your puppy gleefully runs back to you…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rocket speed, ears and tongue flapping in the breeze, just because you called their name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s what recall training should look like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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However, what Puppy Recall Training can often look like instead, is a desperate owner making a scene running after their dog in the park, screaming their name and them just sprinting further away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But we\u2019re here to make your dreams come true and bring your vision of your dog skipping happily towards you to come to life. Read on to teach your puppy a rock solid recall in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is puppy recall training?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We need to train our pups to run back to us \u2013 for their safety and our sanity! Puppy recall training is training that ensures our dogs know how to respond when they\u2019re called. A strong recall means that we can take control of a situation and remove any potential harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When should I start puppy recall training?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You should start puppy recall training as soon as you get your puppy home. Training at home in low levels of distraction means you can control the environment and have your puppy be much more likely to listen to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll want to start indoors at first so that it\u2019s easier for your puppy to focus on you. Daisies and squirrels will definitely be more fun to look at – we\u2019ll show you how to move onto more distracting environments later on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n How long does puppy recall training take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How long puppy recall training takes depends on your dog \u2013 they are individuals, after all! Factors like their breed also have a part to play. On average, developing a reliable recall during training can take 3 to 6 months, providing you practice most days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Should I use a whistle in puppy recall training?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, you can use a whistle for puppy recall training. Dogs can hear higher frequencies better than our voices, so some can respond better to the recall. This can be especially useful when out for a walk \u2013 with all the new sounds around them, a higher frequency is distinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whistles can be very useful in training a recall for a number of other reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>While the whistle works well, it\u2019s also important to teach other kinds of recall in times you don\u2019t have your whistle on you. Wouldn\u2019t want to get stuck without it!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n How do I teach my puppy recall?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For more details, we\u2019ve written a simple step-by-step guide on puppy recall training, including some exercises to repeat and tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start off with these five top tips for building a good recall<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Call for nice things, and always reward.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s not call them out on things they don\u2019t do so well yet, like being too slow.\u00a0 So make sure they get rewarded! Even if they are covered in fox poo. They did the right thing and came when you called them, right?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Pick a cue – any cue – use it once!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stick to the same cue with your dog – picking something like \u2018come\u2019 \u2018here\u2019 \u2018quickly\u2019 or \u2018return\u2019 works fine. It doesn\u2019t really matter what word you use, but you\u2019ll want to be consistent and use the same one (as well as the rest of the members of your household) to get the best results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Begin at home and start off easy\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Until you\u2019ve trained in lots of different environments, you\u2019ll want to start recall training in a place your puppy can focus on you, and not get distracted by anything else. For most people, this is usually the home. Once you\u2019ve got a good recall in an environment with few distractions, we can shift the training to more exciting and distracting environments like the park or the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Use a long line until your recall is reliable\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re puppy recall training, long lines can be lifesavers. They provide a feeling of safety until your puppy can be trusted off-leash, or when we take them to places which might not be so safe to let them completely off and free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And yes, you can find our good guide on how to use a long line for recall training below. We know you can\u2019t wait to read it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Vary your rewards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You know what it\u2019s like to eat the same meal every single day. We simply get bored! Dogs are no different. Vary up your rewards with different types of food, play, movement and stroking to keep them excited about doing the right thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to teach a great recall from the very beginning\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first thing you\u2019ll want to teach your puppy is to respond to their name, this is the first step in getting a great recall. A dog who pays attention when you say their name, is a dog who can then respond to the next cue (come).<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to teach your puppy their name<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How to teach your puppy to come to you – first steps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. But if it turns out to be a bit of an uphill struggle, remember that it\u2019s alright – they\u2019ll get there in their own time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How to do it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n TIPS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recall – adding the \u2018Come\u2019 cue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use any cue you like for this one, but it\u2019s much simpler to use one word that simply rolls off the tongue easily for you, so that it\u2019s memorable for you to use later on. We recommend using a polite word though, don\u2019t want you getting weird looks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>Make sure there are no distractions around \u2013 we want full focus when we\u2019re training so that the lesson actually sticks. There will be time to chase the mailman later. Just joking. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Playing Tennis with your puppy – The Ping Pong Game<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need a friend to help you with this one. A human preferably, an imaginary one won\u2019t do unfortunately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>Start reasonably close together and make the gap between you larger once the idea clicks for your puppy.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Best Dog in the World Recall Game<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How to play:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t let us stop you from having fun though, you can play this game as long as you like! Your dog will LOVE all of the attention they are getting from you. Who wouldn\u2019t? <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your puppy likes this game (they most likely will) you might also like to check out our article about other games to play with your puppy – we\u2019ve got plenty more recall training exercises in our ZigZag puppy training app so you might want to snoop in that direction too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving the puppy recall exercises outside<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you been a victim of your puppy listening to you at home but not outside? Well there\u2019s a good reason for that, and it\u2019s called generalisation<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What is generalisation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Generalisation refers to when your dog is able to do things you have taught them in any setting. For example, when they come back to you whether you\u2019re in your kitchen, at the train station, in your puppy class, or at the pet store…when they\u2019ve just gone bonkers for the squeaky toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s the thing though – dogs don\u2019t find generalising very easy. This is where you come in – they\u2019ll need your help practicing lots in different environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get your puppy to master generalisation, decide on 4 different places in your house and yard to practice your recall exercises with your puppy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>When you take your training outside, you\u2019ll have to do something to take the difficulty down a couple of levels. You\u2019ll soon see that trying to call your puppy past a group of dogs when you\u2019re practicing outside, is going to be an impossible mission, at least for the first couple of times. Instead, it\u2019s much better to pick a quiet spot in the park, and use a long line if you\u2019re worried they won\u2019t listen. They won\u2019t be running away today, no sir!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>Don\u2019t forget about treat values<\/strong> when training outside\u2026they will save you time and time again. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n What are treat values?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Different puppies will prefer different treats, just like humans. One person\u2019s food heaven is another one\u2019s food hell! For instance, while my dog is not interested in carrots, others find these the ultimate delicacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We split food rewards into a hierarchy of treat values – yes there are hierarchies even in food. Typically, it will look something like this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n High Value Dog Treats for Recall: <\/strong>These tend to be human-grade foods or really stinky treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medium Value Treats: <\/strong>These are the high quality dog treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Low Value Treats: <\/strong>These tend to be the dog\u2019s regular food or vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re still curious about dog treats (weird interest niche, but okay) click here for our best dog treats review<\/a>. We have quite a lot your puppy will find irresistible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do I know which treats I should use? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s easy. Just remember that the bigger the distraction you face, the higher value treats you\u2019ll need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do I have to use treats to get my dog back when I call them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nope, not necessarily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You will find your puppy\u2019s high value reward by the way they behave when they get their reward. Lit up eyes are the signs you want to look for. Have they done it?\u2019 Excellent!<\/p>\n\n\n\n For some dogs, food isn\u2019t what truly tickles them – play or a special toy can do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>Remember that your puppy will let you know what works best for them! At the start, training with food works well because it\u2019s what most puppies need to survive. But there\u2019s always a chance they\u2019ll become interested in other things. Like a cuddle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n What is a long line or recall lead? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Long lines come in various lengths between 3 and 50m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I like to start off with a 5m since they\u2019re usually long enough for city parks and gives me something to work with in teaching a good recall. They have a clip on one end but no handle on the other – this is done on purpose, to prevent them getting caught on anything and getting into a pickle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP:<\/strong> Don\u2019t be fooled, by \u2018long line\u2019, we don\u2019t mean \u2018retractable leads\u2019 – those that magically seem to extend from the handle. There are certain instances where I\u2019ll use these of course, like in areas where dogs must be on a lead, but not for recall training. They\u2019re awkward to hold, and if they end up dragging on the floor they can give your puppy quite the fright as they can think the lead is chasing them. Sounds funny to us, but it doesn\u2019t make them laugh I\u2019m sure. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n How to use a long line for puppy recall training<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Long lines or recall leads are a great way to keep your puppy safe when in the early stages of practicing your recall as they encourage your puppy to listen to you, and prevent them from wanting to find enjoyment from their environments. Sounds harsh, but for now it\u2019s what you\u2019ll need to help them ace the recall game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how you use a long line: Once you\u2019ve been practicing your recalls and you\u2019re sure your puppy is listening to you, you can allow the line to drag on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>Make sure you\u2019re certain that your recall is going to work! Otherwise, keep the line in your hands to avoid getting into a chaotic chasing scene at the park with your puppy ignoring you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>Remember you\u2019re holding a long line, not a fishing line. If you\u2019ve had to stop your puppy when the line is on the ground, reel them in by gently working your way up the line – never pull your puppy in as this will make them build a rather unapartmenttering memory of the line, even if it\u2019s just there for their safety.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>If they ignore your cue, work your way up the line and make the distance shorter so that you can get their attention more easily on the next rep.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Tips for long line safety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tips for getting a great puppy recall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The D\u2019s of dog training and how they apply to recall training<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance: <\/strong>How far did you call them? Build on this so that you can get longer recall distances. When you move to a new distracting place, cut the distance slightly to make it easy for your puppy to respond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Distraction: <\/strong>What are you calling them from? Is it easy or is it hard? Is it close or far away? All these questions you have to ask yourself\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP:<\/strong> Use a quiet voice to call away from a distraction, and then give them an incredible reward like a stinky piece of dried meat. You can also see our \u2018best dog in the world recall\u2019 game for this, it\u2019ll give you some good ideas.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP:<\/strong> Although distractions can be distracting (duh), you can also use them as reinforcers to keep them on their toes. Try calling them away from a person with treats, then give them the green light to \u2018go play\u2019 to go back to the person to get their reward from the \u2018distracting person\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n What to do I do when my puppy doesn\u2019t recall?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If your puppy doesn\u2019t come when you call them, here are some things you can try: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When they do finally come – you might not want to give that high value reward just yet, but do still want to reward them with something like verbal praise so that they recognise they\u2019ve done the right thing. As long as you sound cheerful, you can say anything! Also, you don\u2019t want to be spending all your money on expensive tasty treats for the rest of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO TIP: <\/strong>Once you have them back, try your recall again to let them redeem themselves. This time have them receive that higher reward for successfully coming – this encourages what we call behavioral momentum (Ooh, fancy term). <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Behavioral momentum is where an animal does something once and gets rewarded for it – then the likelihood is the next behavior will be stronger.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n FAQ on Puppy Recall Training<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Start recall training with your puppy as soon as you get home by teaching them that their name predicts good things. \u2018Good things\u2019 are treats, by the way.<\/p> <\/div> Using a whistle recall is very useful in teaching your puppy to come because the sound is loud and clear. Feel free to try it, but we tend to only use it when we\u2019ve done lots of training to make sure it works.<\/p> <\/div> Human-like foods are considered a high-value dog treat. Here are some examples below: First, don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re not deaf.\u00a0 Anything you like! But \u2018come\u2019, \u2018here\u2019, \u2018recall\u2019, \u2018return\u2019, and \u2018quickly\u2019 tend to be the popular ones. You could use something like \u2018table\u2019 or \u2018chair\u2019 though, feel free to get creative.<\/p> <\/div> It really will depend on the dog and whether they\u2019ve learned to ignore you already! Uh-oh. But chin up, in a new young puppy who hasn\u2019t had a chance to self reward and do their own thing, it\u2019s generally faster.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n Next, discover how to teach your puppy to play dead<\/a> in just a few easy steps. Or why not download the whole ZigZag<\/a> app for the whole shebang?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
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Puppy recall training includes teaching them their name, picking an effective cue, consistently rewarding your pup, and increasing the length of the recall distance. Simple, right? We recommend starting this indoors where there are less distractions.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Calling a puppy between people helps them realize that different people in your family might call them. That\u2019s right, you won\u2019t be the only one. It\u2019s also fun to get them to come towards people from a longer distance and make the game harder.\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Each one of us has the best dog in the world, right? Well, this game lets our puppies know that for the millionth time – since you probably tell them every day already.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Treat values<\/h3><\/summary>
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Long line and recall lead<\/h3><\/summary>
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Remember that calling your puppy is a lot like you placing a bet. You\u2019re putting 20 quid on the fact that they will come – if you wouldn\u2019t put money on it, don\u2019t call them!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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