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Recall Your Dog Like a Pro

Writer's picture: Klaudia ParulskaKlaudia Parulska

Recall is one of the most essential skills you can teach your dog. Imagine your dog zooming around the forest, you call them, and they come racing back to you with pure excitement. Sounds great, right? Well, it’s completely possible with the right steps and a little patience. Let’s dive into how to get that pro-level recall, expanding on what we’ve highlighted on Instagram and Facebook.



Step 1: Charge Your Marker

First things first, you need to charge your marker. Whether you're using a clicker or a simple "yes" to signal, it’s crucial that your dog gets excited by hearing it. This is known as a marker system—it’s like giving your dog a “thumbs up” for a job well done. A well-charged marker means your dog is always looking to you for direction, eagerly awaiting their next task.


Side note: This is based on classical conditioning—think Pavlov’s dogs. The idea is to pair a signal (your marker) with something rewarding, like food, so your dog starts to associate the sound with something positive.



Step 2: Focus on a Healthy Pattern

Dogs are creatures of habit—they thrive on patterns! Start by breaking down your recall into small, manageable steps. Use a long line to guide your dog, setting them up for success rather than failure.

The key here is consistency.


First, decide on the word you’ll use for recall. Will it be your dog’s name, a word in another language, or maybe something fun like a magic spell from Harry Potter? Dogs pick up on the melody of our voice more than the actual words, so make sure your recall word—whether it's “Accio” or something else—is always pronounced the same way, with the same energy.


Now, visualise it: your dog hears the recall cue, hits the brakes, turns on a dime, and bolts straight toward you. Picture that in your mind and think about each step as you “cast your spell.”

Training your dog is like magic—it's exciting, and you should be excited too!

Just like when I pick up my dog’s lead and they know it means we’re going for a walk, you’re creating a pattern they’ll quickly learn.


Think about the patterns you’ve already taught your dog without realising it—do they get excited when you pick up your car keys or put on your shoes? Patterns are powerful tools in training, so use them to your advantage!




What patterns does your dog know?

  • Picking up the lead means it's time for a walk

  • Opening the cupboard with their food signals dinner time

  • Putting on the training vest means we’re going to train

  • Sitting down on the sofa means cuddle time



Step 3: Add Distractions

Once your dog has the hang of your recall pattern, it’s time to add some distractions. This is where the real-world training comes into play. Ask a friend to casually walk into the garden while you’re training, serving as a low-level distraction. Before your dog heads towards them, call them back to you.


If they come back quickly, reward them with some food—this is crucial for reinforcing their good behaviour. A long line will ensure they don’t self-reward by ignoring you and reaching the distraction.


Pro tip: Don’t push too hard, too fast. If they nailed it, stop on a high note and give them a jackpot reward—a bigger or extra-special portion of food! Let them sleep on the success. This downtime is when short-term memories turn into long-term learning.

Next session? Increase the challenge by having your friend hold a ball or make a noise. But remember: slow and steady wins the race. We’re building a reliable reflex response, and that takes time.



What is a Reflex Response?

A reflex response is a behaviour that becomes automatic. Think of it like when you hear your alarm and instantly reach to turn it off—it’s almost subconscious. Dogs learn in much the same way through small, repeated exercises with attention to detail.

In The Talent Code, it’s explained that mastering any skill comes from making mistakes and learning from them. The same applies to your dog. If they make a mistake, don’t worry! Simply reset and try again. Over time, your dog will learn what’s expected.

Step 4: Existential Feeding

Another powerful tool in recall training is existential feeding. This simply means using your dog’s daily food allowance as part of their training. Why would your dog feel motivated to work for a reward if they know they’ll be fed a full meal later anyway? Instead of giving them food for free, turn mealtime into a fun, engaging activity.

Hide their food in the garden, use it to play luring games, or incorporate it into training sessions. By making you the source of all the good stuff, your dog will pay more attention to you in any situation. This also strengthens your bond and makes training more fun for both of you.



The Power of the Jackpot

Based on the principles from the book Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor, giving your dog a jackpot can work wonders for their motivation. This means offering an extra-large or super-tasty portion of food when they’ve done something exceptionally well. It sends the message: “That was amazing! Keep doing that!”

If you're looking to deepen your understanding of animal behaviour and training, Don't Shoot the Dog is a fantastic read.



Wrapping It Up

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to mastering recall with your dog. It’s all about building small, consistent patterns, ensuring your dog knows what’s expected, and keeping them engaged through food rewards and games. And remember, training is a journey, not a race—taking your time will create a long-lasting, reliable response.

Happy training!





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