https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u8h83929jluwqc2gekitu/Pro-Recall-Training-Key-Points-Outline.docx?rlkey=ybrmzm54o7pd7n2bo6sgpo7lj&st=nx89clrw&dl=0
1. Understanding Recall Challenges
Recall can be challenging for dogs as it often requires them to leave something that is highly engaging or rewarding. This can lead to feelings of disappointment and frustration, as it goes against their natural desires to continue with what they are enjoying
- The Concept of 'Disappointment' and Recall as Potentially PunishinRecall can feel punishing to dogs since it interrupts something they enjoy. Simply offering treats may not always feel rewarding. Rewards should fulfill the dog's emotional or physical need, making the recall experience more positive.
- Using the Premack Principle: To make recall more rewarding, mark the behavior when the dog comes and immediately release them back to the activity they were engaged in, whether it’s play, exploration, or socializing. This helps the dog learn that coming to you leads to the opportunity to return to something fun, reinforcing the recall behavior. Think of it as a rehearsal: each recall builds a stronger, more reliable response.
3. Human Analogy for Perspective
- Compare recall to a child's experience of being called away from play to eat dinner. While dinner is enjoyable, leaving something fun, like playtime, can feel like it’s not worth it. Similarly, dogs may not see the value in recalling when they're engaged in an exciting activity. Punishing them for not wanting to return can make the experience even less appealing and harder to understand. This analogy helps owners understand the dog's perspective and emphasizes the importance of using positive reinforcement to motivate recall.
- Common Mistakes in Recall that can make recall training less effective, and recognizing them is key to success:
- Punishing the dog upon return creates negative associations with recall, making it something to avoid rather than something positive.
- Yelling or showing frustration can damage the trust between the dog and handler, making the dog more hesitant to respond.
- Using harsh tones or threatening body language can make the dog feel scared or confused, causing them to be less likely to come when called.
- Not warming up is a big mistake! Think of obedience training like a muscle. If you don’t use it consistently, it weakens. The more you practice in various environments, the stronger your dog’s recall muscle will be. Start with easier situations and gradually increase the challenge. Always start easy.
- Run and Return
- To ensure recall training is successful, rewards must be meaningful and motivating for the dog. When training your dog, remember that we are teaching them a simple but powerful lesson: when you run away, you also come back! By offering rewards that align with your dog’s preferences and needs—whether it’s food, toys, digging, eating grass, or interacting with other dogs and people—you strengthen the connection between the recall cue and something enjoyable. This builds what we can think of as “muscle memory” for the dog. Just like any other learned behavior, recall should become automatic with practice, making it something your dog looks forward to, not something to avoid. When rewards are meaningful, your dog will eagerly return when called.
6. Training Deficiencies
- Lack of training in lots of different environments and around distractions is a major challenge. Dogs struggle to generalize the recall cue and may only respond when there are minimal distractions. It is essential to practice recall in diverse situations to ensure the dog learns to respond reliably.
7. Training Structure – baby steps
- Training should be carefully structured, starting with simpler scenarios and gradually introducing more distractions. This gradual approach allows the dog to build confidence in their ability to respond, even in the face of distractions, before moving on to more complex environments.
8. Functional Rewards System