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Companions
Come: the secret to the reliable recall	Wendy Anastasiou
Seems like everyone wants to know the secret to a dog that comes when called. A dog that comes when called is not only a convenience for her owner, but coming when called could one day save her life. So why do so many dogs resist coming and what can you do to ensure a good, reliable recall? The reason dogs resist coming when called is they have been conditioned to do so. Because of the very nature of the human dog relationship, dogs make lots of mistakes in their attempts to assimilate into our world. When they make these mistakes, we punish them. Unfortunately, we usually punish them for mistakes by first calling them to us; punishments can range from verbal scolding, physical reprimands, or just the end of fun times. So in a short period of time your dog learns to associate coming to you as something negative.. You call, she comes, and then negative things happen. So why should she come when called? What's in it for her? The first step to creating a reliable recall is to never scold your dog for coming to you. This means even when he has done something bad, and comes over with the evidence on him, you can not scold him. Punishment can only happen if you go to him while he is doing the bad thing. Your dog must never associate coming to you with anything bad, otherwise he will think twice about coming to you when you call. The second step is to change the word you use when calling your dog. If your dog has learned that the word “come” means something bad, then change your recall word to one your dog associates with something good, like treat or cookie. Most dogs have a wonderful recall, we just discount it because the word they come to isn't “come”. So choose a new word that means good things, or a word they have never heard before, and make that your new recall word. The third step is to have fun with the new command. Play a game of hide and seek in the house with your dog; run around corners and call your dog using the new word, when she finds you, run off again and hide all the while calling her to you. Dogs love to chase and find, the game is fun so she will always succeed in coming when called. Another game to play is “ping pong”. Have two people stand twenty feet apart with the dog on a twenty foot long line. One person holds the dog until the second person calls her; when she starts to come, the second person should reel her in, ensuring her success. Repeat this process in various locations at various distances until the dog no longer needs reeling in. Please be safe, and avoid practicing in areas where your dog can get loose if she doesn't listen to you. The last step to ensure a reliable recall is to make coming to you the best thing in the world. You must convince your dog that coming to you is better than anything else. When you practice the recall use a super yummy, stinky, treat your dog doesn't usually get. When you aren't training the recall, you should still reward your dog for coming to you on her own. If you have treats, use them. If you don't have treats, give lots of love, and praise. Remember the goal is to convince your dog that coming to you is better than anything else. If you practice these steps, your dog will have a reliable recall. Wendy Anastasiou owns Life with Fido, Canine Behavior Modification Counseling and Training, which specializes in creating happy, well-adjusted canines, one paw at a time. Call 937-470-7684, or visit lifewithfido.com for information on in-home consults and private classes, in-hospital consults, and group classes at Hartwood Animal Hospital, hartwoodanimalhospital.com
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