Does your dog come when called … sometimes?

tighten up your training with these tips

3 things you’re doing wrong with recall … and one thing you’re doing right!

Coming when called, or "recall," is the behavior clients most request that I teach their dog. They may not care if their dog jumps on the furniture, or walks right next to them, but everyone wants their dog to come when their called.

Recall is a life-saving behavior that all dogs should know. Read on to see the three reasons your dog may not be coming when you call, and the one thing you're doing right with recall training.

1. Party’s over!

At the dog park or during an off-leash romp do you call your dog to you, leash her, and head home?

If the party always ends when your dog comes to you, don’t be surprised if she starts to ignore your call.

Sure, sometimes our dogs need to be on our timetable. But because they're masters of noticing patterns in different contexts, they soon come to understand that when they're playing or exploring, your call means the party's over.

Instead, mix it up and occasionally let her go play some more after she comes to you. Give her a treat, and let her go have fun!

2. Asking too much, too soon from your dog.

Just as children learn their ABCs before they start to read, the strongest dog recall training begins with simple, elemental steps, starting with teaching your dog a unique new recall word. My own is "Scooby-Doo!"

During recall training we begin with teaching your dog to come in a no-distraction environment, then build in distance and distractions.

Your dog needs a solid foundation of coming when called around zero distractions, then low-level distractions, before heading for an off-leash romp in the woods.

If you're unsure your dog will come, keep her on a long leash. I love 15' Biothane leashes from CSJ Creations on Etsy.

3. Being stingy with rewards.

Coming back from fun times is hard work for your dog. When she comes to you — even if it takes a while — she deserves generous handfuls of spectacular food rewards.

Supermarket biscuits = “Eh. I'll keep chasing that squirrel.”

Meatballs, rotisserie chicken, and/or Pecorino Romano cheese = “Here I come!”

What you’re doing right: practicing!

Building up a strong recall, or coming-when-called, can save your dog’s life — and save you a lot of frustration with your beloved pup.

Check out my own dogs, and my sister’s dog Kima, coming when called from the depth of the Vermont woods with their recall word, “Scooby Doo!”