Fun RECALL games to play with your dogs
Like 4 Dislike 0 Published on 11 Apr 2010
Letting a dog off the lead to sniff, explore, run & play and have fun is a wonderful sight to see, BUT to be able to do this you need control of your dogs actions. Been able to RECALL your dog is a MUST have behaviour.
Here i have compiled a number of clips to help give you ideas on some fun games you can play with your dog, either in a training session or out on a walk, that will help your dog learn that returning to you is the signal for FUN...not lead clipped on and go home!
When playing recall games, i would advise highly visible treats if possible like cheese or chicken, but i have done it with ordinary kibble as well..just might take them longer to find.
I have also found it useful to have treats in both hands, so that you are ready to direct and throw with the correct body language. check out the clips carefully as to what hands i am using to signal with.
In this vid i have shown:
Recall through the legs- i throw the legs directly through my legs and Barney runs between them, i then turn round and face the opposite direction and through he goes again.
Recall round- I send Inca right round my body and away.
Recall through & round- i combine the first two.
Recall follow the body round - i draw the dog around with whatever hand and go in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction ...getting the dog to follow my body language..useful for agility work. Watch the body language and hand signals carefully in this clip.
Recall Hand touch - dogs recall touch hand and rewarded by throwing the cheese away to hunt.
Recall all hand touch - we had fun with this:)
Recall name game with other people - this is a really excellent exercise to play with all them members of the family who are going to be responsible for walking the dog, so that the dog learns the rewards from responding to you all.
Recall to play - I used a tug toy example...to help show how the fun continues from a recall. Inca really lilkes the ball and i would personally use that with her, but for it to be rewarding and fun your dog needs to like to pick items up and bring them back to you.
Recall to scavenge hunt - ALL dogs love this...except i suppose Inca who much rather work with me...lol! Not only do i use this as a recall game i also use this randomly on walks under the signal word of 'READY' then throw them out, walk on and maybe through some more when they reach me again. GREAT for keeping attentiveness on walks.
AND we had to add some clips of the fun we had on the way back home for you all to enjoy.:)
Other tips for out walking to help with RECALL'S
Be observant.
Reward random check ins (where the dog makes the descision to come back to you without been prompted.
Reward look backs, so that you train your dog to keep its eye on you.
Reward every recall for a longg time get a strong reward history going before you random it more.
ALWAYS reward excellent recalls, where they come away from a dog, sniffing, a rabbit etc...in fact JACKPOT them with something really tasty or lots of reward one after the other.
NEVER call the dog to tell it off...you need to keep the recall a fun & rewarding action for the dog to do:)
We had so much fun making this video, hope you all enjoy and get lots of ideas.:)
Thankyou for watching & i appreciate your comments:)