If you’re a dog owner, then you know that recall is one of the most important commands to teach your pet. A reliable recall can mean the difference between your dog running off into traffic or staying safe by your side.
Why is my dog so bad at recall?
And why is it that so many dogs are bad at coming when called? Turns out, there are a lot of factors that can contribute to this problem.
Contents of this article:
- Why doesn’t my dog come when called?
- Some dogs are bad at recall because they’re bred to be independent.
- Dogs can be bad at recall if they haven’t been properly trained.
- Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re not properly motivated.
- Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re afraid of coming to you.
- Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re distracted by something else.
- Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re not used to coming when called.
- Dogs can be bad at recall because they don’t want their walk to end.
- Dogs can be bad at recall because their owners don’t pay them enough attention on walks.
- Recall training tips.
Why doesn’t my dog come when called?
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common reasons why dogs fail to respond to their owners’ recall commands. We’ll also offer some tips on how you can help improve your dog’s recall skills.
1. Some dogs are bad at recall because they’re bred to be independent.
Dogs like huskies, hounds and terriers are bred to work fairly independently, which means they’re not always inclined to follow commands from humans. If you have one of these breeds, you’ll need to be extra patient when teaching recall and be prepared to put in some extra effort.
Gundogs and herding dogs, on the other hand, are more likely to respond well to recall commands, as they’ve been bred to work closely with humans for many generations.
2. Dogs can be bad at recall if they haven’t been properly trained.
This one seems pretty obvious, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. If you don’t take the time to properly train your dog on the recall command, then don’t be surprised if he doesn’t respond when you call him.
It’s important to start training your dog on the recall command as soon as possible, and to continue reinforcing it throughout his life.
3. Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re not properly motivated.
If your dog isn’t motivated to come to you when you call him, then he’s not likely to respond. This is why it’s so important to use positive reinforcement when training the recall command.
Make sure you have something your dog really wants – like a favorite toy or treat – and use it to reward him when he does come when called.
4. Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re afraid of coming to you.
This is another case where proper training is essential. If your dog is afraid of you, then he’s not going to want to come to you when you call him. This fear can be caused by a variety of things, including past punishment for coming when called, or simply not being used to being around humans.
If you think your dog is afraid of you, it’s important to seek professional help from a behaviorist or trainer who can help you address the problem.
5. Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re distracted by something else.
Dogs are easily distracted creatures, which means that anything – from a squirrel to a car – can catch their attention and cause them to ignore your recall commands. If you’re having trouble getting your dog’s attention, it’s important to try to eliminate as many distractions as possible.
This may mean keeping him on a leash or in a fenced area until he’s learned to respond to your commands consistently.
6. Dogs can be bad at recall if they’re not used to coming when called.
If you don’t call your dog often, then he’s not going to be used to responding to the recall command. This is why it’s so important to make sure you’re using the recall command regularly – even if you just call him to come with you from one room to another.
The more often you use the command and reward him for it, the more likely he is to respond when you really need him to.
7. Dogs can be bad at recall because they don’t want their walk to end.
This is a common problem for dog owners, as many dogs simply love being out and about and don’t want their walks to end. If this is the case with your dog, recall your dog at other times during the walk so that he doesn’t associate the recall with the end of his fun.
You can also try to make coming when called more rewarding by using a favorite toy or treat as a lure.
8. Dogs can be bad at recall because their owners don’t pay them enough attention on walks.
If you’re constantly on your phone or talking to other people while on walks, your dog is likely to get bored, find his own entertainment and ignore you when you call him.
Make sure you give your dog plenty of attention on walks, play with him and engage with him so he’s more likely to come when called.
Recall training tips.
The best way to train a good recall is by using positive reinforcement and building up a strong association between coming back to you and getting a reward. Start indoors in a controlled setting, gradually working your way outside into more distracting environments.
Be patient, consistent, and upbeat during training sessions, and make sure to end each one on a positive note. Most importantly, keep it fun for both you and your dog!
With patience, consistency, and the right motivation, you can train your dog to come back to you every time you call him. Just remember that recall is a lifelong commitment – so don’t give up if your dog has a few slip-ups along the way.
If you’re after more recall tips, check out this post.
