Week 4: Games

Once you have a reliable recall, here are a few games you can play to keep up the intensity of the recall. Always keep in mind that this training should be done in a positive manner with plenty of treats for your dog’s appropriate responses. RECALLS are one of the cues that I always like to reward. It doesn’t have to be all the time, but to keep the cue valuable, it should be rewarded periodically. Maybe just one treat, maybe a Jackpot if it is a really great recall. And remember, do not use your recall word to call your dog to you for anything they might perceive as a negative reason (crate, come inside, vets, punishment etc.). If you need to get your dog to you to go in the crate, for example, do not use your recall word. That will detract from its value. Remember that training should be fun for the dog as well as for you!

Recall Game #1: Recalls

This will take 2-3 people standing about 10 feet apart to begin with.

1) Let the dog know you have some yummy treats, the higher the value, the more interested the dog will be. Use soft easily chewed treats as hard treats take time to chew and leave crumbs which then the dog spends time finding.

2) Call the dog by name and then say the recall word you have been using for the past few weeks. So it would be something like, “Scout, now!” Use a lot of enthusiasm to get the dog to come to you and then reward with 10 seconds worth of high value treats and lots of praise. Feel free to praise as he is coming toward you.

3) Then of course the other person calls the dog and the game continues as such.

Remember to use the dog’s name and the recall word. If he is slow coming to you, try turning and running away from him. Practice this numerous times, but keep the sessions really short, about 2 minutes. Short is better, especially for young dogs. If this is going well, have the participants increase their distance to 15 feet and so on. If at any time the dog seems to lose interest or is having difficulty, you are 1) not using high enough value treats, 2) you have not trained sufficiently to be at this level, or 3) you are asking too much as to distance or in a place with too many distractions.

Recall Game #2: Daily Recall Game/Reinforcing Cue

This is a fun game you can play with your dog to strengthen the recall. Do so before you feed as you will likely get better results. (Game from Pat Miller)

1) Take some really good treats like chicken. Start with your dog on a leash and say the recall word (close, here, now, etc.) and then give your dog 3 pieces of chicken, one at a time. Repeat this 3 to 4 times. You are reinforcing a strong positive connection with the recall word and the very high value treat.

2) Next, take a few steps away from your dog and enthusiastically say your recall word. (here, close, side, etc.). When he comes, give him 3 to 4 pieces of chicken all the while telling him what a smart fellow he is! Repeat this 3 to 4 times.

3) Next repeat the above but take 3 to 4 steps moving away from your dog and stop and say “Close” (0r whatever your recall word is). Repeat until he is running to you excitedly every time. The recall word now means run to my human to get super good food! You are building on the dog’s natural prey drive by running away to build drive.

4) In the next step (done in a safe area only) take the leash off your dog and drop a few chicken treats on the ground. While he is eating them, quietly walk about 10 to 15 feet away and when he is done eating, call him to you using your recall word and turn and run away fast. When he gets to you, stop and praise while giving him at least 4 to 5 treats, one at a time. Do this until you are sure he will dash to you with speed every time.

5) You can also play a Round Robin form of this game with multiple people, with each person taking a turn calling the dog using his name and recall word, then turning and running away until he catches up with them when they turn and reward him with multiple treats.

Recall Game #3: Hide and Seek

1.) Do this in your house. Have a good supply of high value treats. Wait until you dog is not paying any attention to you, then go to another room. Call your dog to you using his name and your recall word.

2.) Reward using the Ritz-Carlton Method from Week 2. Repeat 2-3 times.

3.) Do this periodically building on the surprise effect. This should be a fun game!

Recall Game #4: Retrained Recalls

1. Do this inside your house, or outside as long as the dog is on a long line or in a safe area. It is the same as Hide and Seek, but now you are having another person restrain your dog on the long line or leash.

2. You will go a distance away and hide. When you are out of sight, you will call your dog using his name and then his recall word.

3. Reward with a jackpot (many) treats when he finds you. That’s it!

I hope you found this article useful, and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at cogoldens@gmail.com

Making training fun!

Chris O’Connor

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