Skip to content

Training

Recall finally works: what changed for us

Eitan Shalev

· Tel Aviv-Yafo

For months our dog ignored us at the park the moment he was off the leash. A few sessions with a trainer changed that. Here is what made the difference for us:

1. We stopped using his name to call him back. We picked a new word and only used it when we were sure he would come. 2. Every recall earned something amazing, like chicken, not dry kibble. 3. We practised at home and in the stairwell before trying the park. 4. We never called him back just to end the fun. Most recalls end with a treat and permission to go play again.

Three weeks in, he comes back about nine times out of ten. Happy to answer questions.

Merle dog holding a tennis ball in its mouth

4 replies

  1. Ben Tal · 5 Oct

    Point 4 is the one nobody tells you. We always called ours to leave, so of course he stopped coming.

  2. Maya Rubin · 7 Oct

    Did you use a long line at the park first?

    1. Eitan Shalev · 7 Oct

      Yes, a ten-metre line for the first two weeks. It meant we never had to chase him.

  3. Lior Ashkenazi · 6 days ago

    Saving this. Our beagle follows his nose and nothing else.

Community advice is shared by members, not vets. For anything urgent about your pet's health, contact a veterinarian.

Post options

Report this post

Reports are private. The author will not see who sent them.

Delete your post?

The post and all of its replies will be removed for everyone. This cannot be undone.

Join the conversation

Sign in to SPS

Welcome back.

New to SPS?