Author Topic: THE RECALL GAME: How to GUARANTEE your pup will come RUNNING when you call  (Read 4594 times)

Offline RedyreRottweilers

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The Recall Game
by Rebekah James

Having a dog who will reliably come when called is one of the best
things in life. This means FREEDOM for your dog. Here is how to teach
your dog to RUN to you each time you call it.


1)       NEVER call your dog unless you are CERTAIN you can enforce
the command. Each time you call your dog and he does not immediately
come to you to receive a food reward, you take a step backwards in
his learning to come when you call. It is important not to make
mistakes when teaching the recall. DO NOT CALL YOUR DOG if there is
ANY chance you cannot enforce the command. EVER.
2)       NEVER call your dog to you for anything unpleasant. If you
need to interrupt a play session, or you are going to trim nails, or
if you are about to do anything to your dog that he does not enjoy,
GO GET THE DOG. Do not call him to you.
3)       FOOD REWARD every single recall. EVERY SINGLE ONE. This
means keeping treats in your pockets at all times.
4)       Smiles are required equipment when calling your dog. NEVER
EVER call your dog in anything but a praise tone of voice. Correction
will NEVER help a recall. Your dog must WANT to come when you call.


To play the game you need at least 2 people, and several is great.
Each person is given a handful of very small soft treats. I prefer
tiny pieces of hotdogs or string cheese. Pieces should be VERY small,
even for a larger dog or puppy. I slice a hotdog in half and cut the
pieces the size of a nickle. Once people have their treats, they
should take a seat around the room with as much room between them as
the room will allow.


One person takes the puppy or dog and points him towards the person
who is going to begin the game. This person may do anything to get
the puppy to come towards him except say the word COME. Clap hands,
smile, laugh, show the treat, call PUPPPY PUPPPPY PUPPPPY, or the
dog's name. When it is CLEAR that the pup is committed to going to
the person, and ONLY THEN, say the pup's name, and come. For example, Bailey, COME! It does not matter if the puppy is almost to you, as long as the pup hears his name and the word COME while he is going
TOWARDS the person calling.


Hold the hand with the food right up next to your body so that the
puppy has to come all the way up to you and touch you to get the
treat. Do not feed the treat until you are holding the puppy's
collar. This prevents the "snatch and run" game. Praise and pet the
puppy cheerfully while he is getting his treat. Once the pup has had
his little tiny treat, it's time to point him towards another person
who does the same thing.


It is extremely important that the participants understand they are
NOT to say the word COME unless the puppy is already doing just that.

A key error many people make in trying to train their dogs is to name the wrong behavior. If you say "COME" while the pup is just standing there, you have taught him the word come means to stand there. ;) NO SAYING IT UNLESS THE PUP IS DOING IT. :D


Play as long as the pup is interested. Main rules, Do not say COME
unless the puppy IS coming, hold the treat up CLOSE to your body, and
you must be holding the collar to feed the treat.


This simple game does more to build a reliable recall than any other
training you can do. Your pup will quickly learn that his name and
the word come means TREAT. Each time you call the pup and reward him
for coming quickly to you, you build a more ingrained and reliable
response. If you are consistent and train this game at least 2 to 3
times per week, you will have a dog who will ALWAYS come when you
call it. Most owners list this as a top priority for their dogs. Here
is a fun and simple way to attain this goal.


Practice often! Your pup will love this game, and so will your friends.

Once the puppy is reliable and understands the game, introduce light distractions. Distractions should increase gradually until the puppy will ignore anything and come running to you happily.

******************************************

The information in this article is free for use by anyone as long as author credit is included.
Redyre Rottweilers
redyre@carolina.rr.com
No part of this message may be forwarded without my permission.

Offline DixieSugarBear

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Re: THE RECALL GAME: How to GUARANTEE your pup will come RUNNING when you call
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2005, 09:27:52 am »
Sounds like a fun game we will be playing daily.

Lisa, owned by the following:
Sugar Bear - Great Pyrenees 4.5 yr.
Dixie Darlin - Great Pyrenees 4 yr.
Penny Lane - Great Pyrenees 2.5 yr.
Beauman - Great Pyrenees 14 months
Izzy - Great Pyrenees 14 month
Rosie - Great Pyrenees (at the bridge)

Offline pndlake

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Re: THE RECALL GAME: How to GUARANTEE your pup will come RUNNING when you call
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2005, 12:24:07 am »
Red, have you already written a book?  If not, you need to.  :D
Peggy

Offline Binky

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Re: THE RECALL GAME: How to GUARANTEE your pup will come RUNNING when you call
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2005, 12:49:09 am »
What a great idea!  Just what I need for Binky.  Thanks.
Binky-Great Pyrenees
Sophie-Leonberger
McDougal-Papillon
Chicklet-Papillon
Sigfried-Cat  RIP Sigs
Spooky-Cat
Jasper-Nigerian Dwarf goat
Ferdinand-Nigerian Dwarf goat

Offline MyDogueBruno

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Great...Great Post! 


Thanks!

Offline patrick

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Re: THE RECALL GAME: How to GUARANTEE your pup will come RUNNING when you call
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2005, 09:51:31 am »
Great info for all breeds except Pyrenees - they are legendary for not coming when called - especially as they get older.

Gypsy Jazmine

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Re: THE RECALL GAME: How to GUARANTEE your pup will come RUNNING when you call
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2005, 12:07:39 pm »
Great info for all breeds except Pyrenees - they are legendary for not coming when called - especially as they get older.
LOL Patrick!...I actually tried this with my Pyrs...As expected it did not work...lol...H ere is a pic I took right after I called my boys to come...lol!

Offline Maggie's Mom

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Re: THE RECALL GAME: How to GUARANTEE your pup will come RUNNING when you call
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2005, 12:38:08 pm »
What a great idea!  I'm going to try this tomorrow.  Right now, the little pup is selectively listening to us :-\  She knows her name, but only listens or even looks up about half the time.  She's a stubborn little thing!!! :D  I'll let you know how it goes.
Stacy, Wes, and Maggie (Great Dane)