“Heel!” Have you ever dreamed that your dog would understand these two little words? In this article, we offer some tips for teaching your dog to come back!

Why work on recall with your dog?

First, training your dog in general helps strengthen the emotional bond and create a relationship based on mutual understanding. By training your dog, you teach him to understand your expectations, and you also learn to better understand his needs and language. A well-trained dog is more responsive and obedient, which helps keep him safe during walks or in unexpected situations.

Recall is one of the most basic commands in dog training. It allows your four-legged friend to enjoy moments of freedom during walks, while also giving you peace of mind as the owner. Mastering the recall command is crucial to ensuring your dog's safety. For example, if your dog is on the side of a road or heading towards any danger, you'll want to be able to easily recall him.

How to teach your dog to come back: 3 tips

1. Formulate a clear instruction

Choose a single, short phrase so you don't confuse him with multiple commands. The two most popular recall commands are "Heel!" or "Come here!" By choosing a specific phrase and repeating the exercise with the same command, your dog will eventually understand what you expect of him.

2. Choose a place suitable for dog training

Start training in an area with few distractions, such as your backyard or an enclosed area. When your dog listens to you every time, move to a larger and larger area. If being elsewhere doesn't work, return to your backyard and repeat the process until your dog is ready to play and listen simultaneously. Keep in mind that the dog park is the area with the most distractions!

3. Use positive reinforcement

The secret is the treats!

Pay attention to your dog's behavior so you can reward him at the right times. When you're out walking or visiting a dog park, if your dog looks at you, call him. If he comes to see you, give him a treat and let him go. Repeat this exercise several times; your dog will quickly understand the meaning of "Heel!"

If he comes back to you without you calling him, reward him too; this makes coming back a positive experience. If he comes back when you call him when it's time to leave, give him double or even triple the treats you usually give him. With all these "candies" at the same time, it will create a positive feeling in him. You can put his leash back on at this point.

As your dog's understanding improves, try teaching him that at a specific point in the field he will be untied, and at another specific corner he will be tied up to return home.

Mistakes to avoid when recalling your dog

Do not repeat the instruction (be attentive to your dog)

There's no need to call your dog 25 times in a row. When he's focused on playing with his canine friends or sniffing out a scent, he can't hear you. His activity is far more valuable to him than you or your treats. Pay attention to your dog's attention span. Wait patiently until he stops running or lifts his head off the ground to give him a cue. If your dog is far away, he may not have heard you at all, so make yourself heard.

Don't punish him (think positive reinforcement)

If your dog doesn't come back immediately when called, but rather much later, don't punish him. The only thing he'll remember is that he's being scolded when he comes to you. There's absolutely no point in getting angry with him.

Also, in the early days, do not call him for something unpleasant, whether it is to scold him or cut his claws, otherwise the training will become less and less effective.

Don't run after him (get his attention)

Be patient and above all, don't run after him! He'll think it's a game, which will only make you more frustrated.

As mentioned above, you're not a priority for him when he's focused on something else. A better solution would be to buy a longer leash at first or pretend you found something on the ground to pique his curiosity and make him come back to you.

Conclusion

Training your dog takes time, patience, and consistency, but it's part of the deal when you adopt a pet. Teaching your dog basic commands, like recall, not only helps ensure their safety (and that of others), but also helps you develop a bond of affection and trust.

To practice recall with your dog, always carry treats with you to positively reinforce his behavior at the right times. Be careful to always use the same formula (the same words). Be aware of your pet's surroundings and distractions. Arm yourself with patience and be clever about getting his attention.

Well done!