Dog friendly game: Practice Recall

Woof!

Are you looking for a dog-friendly game to play with your buddy in your free time? sploot has your back 🤗

Most dogs love getting a good run off their leash. But before you let your dog loose, you need to be confident that they’ll always come back when you call; whatever’s going on around them.

Teach your dog that coming back to you is always a good thing, and will result in tasty snacks or whichever reward they like best.

Here’s how you can teach them:

1. Start indoors, in your garden, or in another enclosed space with some treats. Get your dog’s attention with their name, call them towards you and take a step away from them. Reward them with praise when they come to you.
2. Make sure your rewards are exciting and tempting – especially if your dog has come away from something particularly interesting (like a squirrel or another dog).
3. When calling them, use a happy, excited voice and welcoming body language (crouched down, arms open).
4. Always praise your dog for coming back no matter how long it takes. As your dog improves, you won’t need to give them a treat every time they come back. But remember to reward them every so often to keep them motivated.

Teaching your dog their name makes it easy for you to grab their attention when you need it. This can be a lifesaver if you need them to focus on you quickly to save them from harm.

Choose a short, snappy word like ‘come’ or ‘here’, or a whistle if you prefer. Also, add a visual cue, like holding your arms open wide, in case they can’t hear you. Make sure everyone in your household knows which word and movement you’re using to prevent your dog from getting confused.

Use your recall cue sparingly, giving your dog at least five seconds to respond before calling again. Don’t call again if you think they’re unlikely to return, as this could teach them that it’s okay to not come back.

Have fun teaching, and tell us if your dog learned this trick!

Happy splooting 🐶