Hey guys! Today it's me, Dina Mom, to bring to you the issue of recall training. It's me because, well because I thought Dina would take the topic a bit too lightly. After a couple of incidents that I won't recall (pun not intended) on this blog because it would take way too long (but I might share them on my Dina Mom page) I realised that Dina's recall is fine with little distractions: just walking and sniffing, approaching another dog, sniffing butts with that dog. However, if that dog starts to chase Dina, she panics. She can usually out run most dogs but there are some individuals in the dog world who don't take no for an answer and then Dina's recall goes to pot as she usually doesn't know how to get to me with the other dog trying to play with her. This is a mix of my rubbish socialising (or lack thereof), not the best training and the other dog. I'm not going to tell you how to teach recall because that has been done before (as can be seen
here,
here and
here -just scroll down until you see the recall sub-heading) and would just be boring. So instead I'll say some of the reasons
why I think you should train your dog to come when called.
- It is just plain, darned useful.- I know I need the recall cue when I want to take a cool photo of Dina or something. Just say 'Dina!' and she magically appears.
- Safety- Safety, safety and safety. Recall from a busy road. Recall from a dog that may not be the friendliest. Recall if your dog is not the friendliest. The list goes on...
- It is one of the basics in puppy classes for a reason not just because people feel like teaching it.
- Teaches control
Hugs,
Dina Mom
