Recall From Distractions

This exercise begins to build your dog’s ability to recall away from something exciting or rewarding.

Water is a fantastic distraction for many dogs, whether they enjoy swimming, exploring or simply investigating new environments. By practising recall around something your dog finds rewarding, you can begin to strengthen their response when distractions are present.

How To Practise

Step 1: Introduce The Distraction

Encourage your dog into a shallow pond or brook. Allow them to explore and enjoy the environment before asking for a recall.

Step 2: Give Your Recall Cue

Using your whistle, give your recall command.

If using a whistle, use 4 or 5 gentle pips. Your whistle should always sound friendly and welcoming, never loud or frustrated.

Step 3: Move Away

As soon as you have given your recall cue, begin to walk away from your dog.

Moving away encourages your dog to follow and helps create a positive reason for them to return to you.

Step 4: Reward The Recall

As your dog rushes back towards you and moves away from the water, mark the behaviour with your clicker if you are using one.

When your dog reaches you, reward with super high-value treats.

The reward needs to be worthwhile, as your dog has made the choice to leave something they enjoy and return to you.

Step 5: Release Back To The Activity

Give your dog plenty of fuss and praise, then send them back into the water again.

This is an important part of the exercise. Your dog learns that coming back to you does not always mean the fun stops.

Repeat The Exercise

Repeat this several times, allowing your dog to experience that returning to you is rewarding and they may get the opportunity to go back to the activity afterwards.

Remember, the best recalls are built when your dog learns that you are part of the fun, not the end of it.