Conditioning a Solid Recall...Even Before You Start Training

When you call your dog to come, does he immediately perk up and run toward you? Or does he continue to sniff the grass, the invisible thought bubble over his head reading La la la, I can’t hear you! Even worse, does he run the other way? His response will depend, of course, on how well he’s been trained, as well as factors such as environmental distractions. But it will also depend greatly on how well he’s been conditioned to hearing that specific recall word or phrase and the resulting emotional response it evokes in him.

Regardless of which training exercises you use, following are a few rules of conditioning that I advise all my clients to follow even before the actual training process begins. Let’s assume you’ve chosen to use your dog’s name along with the word “Come!” for your magical recall phrase. The first rule is to never use it to call your dog to you if the result will be something he won’t like. That might mean being put in a crate before you leave the house, being shut inside when he wants to play in the yard, or being put on leash and taken home when he wants to continue playing with another dog. And definitely don’t use it when you’re angry at your dog for some infraction such as having chewed a valuable item! All too often I’ve seen owners call their dog to them and then berate them. Over time, using “Come!” in those situations is very likely to produce a dog who will run the other way when he hears it.

Next, do use that special recall phrase for things your dog is going to like. What makes him happy? What’s likely to get him to come running? Eating and going for walks are pretty sure bets. So, right before you make the sound that announces it’s time to eat—for example, rustling a bag of kibble—say the magic words, followed immediately by making the crinkling sound. When it’s time for a walk, use your dog’s name and the recall word right before jingling the leash. The idea is that eventually, whenever he hears that magical phrase, he’ll anticipate that something wonderful is going to happen. Over time, his body will begin to move toward you immediately upon hearing it.

Lastly, during the training process, don’t call your dog to you using that magical recall phrase unless you’re absolutely sure he’s going to come. I tell my clients, “If you’re not willing to bet me $50 that he’ll come when you use that word, don’t do it.” Instead, if you need him to come to you during the transitional phase, use a different word or phrase, clap your hands to get his attention, or just go and get him. The goal is that the power of the actual recall phrase doesn’t get diluted. Think of it as each successful recall being a deposit into the Bank of Good Training, with each unsuccessful one being a withdrawal. Of course, we eventually want him to come each and every time you call him, but for now, let’s set him up to succeed.

Again, actual training exercises will be needed. But building a firm foundation using these conditioning principles will go a long way toward getting your dog to bound joyfully to you whenever he’s called. __________________________________________________________________________________

You can find my books and streaming seminars at www.nicolewilde.com and follow me on Facebook @NicoleWildeauthor. My mentoring service can be found at Dog Trainer's Friend. And if wildlife photos are your thing, check out my Instagram at nicolewildeart and my 2025 Wildlife Calendar and 2025 Coyote calendar.