Training & Behavior
Teach Your Dog to Come
A reliable recall is the single most important safety command a dog can learn — and one of the easiest to accidentally undermine.
Never Punish a Late Recall
If a dog eventually comes after ignoring the first call, reward it anyway. Scolding a dog once it arrives teaches it that coming to you is risky — the opposite of the intended lesson.
Make Coming to You the Best Option
Practice recall with high-value rewards and never call a dog only to end a fun activity like play at the park — that pairing quickly teaches a dog to associate "come" with something unwelcome.
Practice at Increasing Distance and Distraction
Start in a quiet room, then gradually add distance, other people, and distractions like other dogs — a recall that only works in a empty hallway isn’t yet reliable enough for the real world.
Did You Know?
Many trainers recommend a lifelong "jackpot" reward system for recall — an occasional, extra-special treat for coming immediately keeps the behavior strong for years, not just during initial training.
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