This is one method I used and was posted by a friend on another forum but i hope she won't mind me pinching it to share with you guys.
Leslie Nelson says that the Really Reliable Recall is easy to learn, easy to teach, fun and reliable. Works at a distance, no matter what dog is doing and is instant.
Before starting to train it, you need to do a few things:
1. You need to find somewhere to let your dog off lead. Neighbour's gardens, fenced fields, tennis courts, indoor riding schools. Anywhere you can let them run but they do need to run. If your dog likes to run and they never have the opportunity, obviously they won't come back if you do let them off.
If you can't find a totally secure area, she suggests letting the dog drag a line to give you more confidence that you'll be able to stand on the line if they take off.
2. You need to make sure also that your dog has plenty of mental exercise also. She recommends clicker training. And teaching a retrieve - if your dog is focussed on fetching a toy, they are running but less likely to run off.
3. Never call the dog for unpleasant things. If you need your dog to clip their nails or come in from the garden or anything else they don't like, go and get them. If they think coming to you might result in something bad happening, it will weaken your recall.
4. Always reward your dog if they come to you for any reason. Automatic check ins are good things and if you reward them you'll get more of them.
5. Don’t call the dog if you think they won’t come. Doing that teaches them they can ignore recall cues.
6. Play lots of recall games. Hide and seek around the house or having two handlers, both with the same rewards and calling dogs between them.
7. Make a list of all the things that your dog likes and which you can use to reward them. Katie likes food, a thrown ball, tuggy with a rabbit skin, having her ears scratched and getting to go off to hunt again.
8. You need a strong, positive relationship for a good recall and the above 7 things will help with that. I'd also do TTouch to help with the relationship. Before doing things with your dog, think how it might impact on the relationship.
9. If you have a particularly independent dog you might have to teach them to like being touched and spoken to. You can use food. Feed them their daily food while talking to them and stroking them.
Once you have done all of the above, you can start the first step to teaching the recall. This step teaches the dog they need to pay attention.
Say name in tone you will use when you want the dog to look at you.
Reward for the dog looking at you - best to use a clicker or make the look with a special word and then give a treat. The dog might not be next to you and you need to reward them instantly for looking at you.
Your aim is to have 100 times when your dog looks at you the instant you say their name (not all at once, you might practise this a few times a day).
If you get it wrong. You haven’t got to 100 and the dog doesn’t look, do something unexpected. Run out of room, play with another dog etc. Then start again with the name game.
Do not repeat the name. The name has to be a first time only thing.
Once you have the 100 times, you are ready to start teaching the Really Reliable Recall.
Really Reliable Recall:
1. Need a signal.
Needs to be a new word. Something you don’t use for anything else. Doesn’t matter what it is. Can use NOW. Yoo Hoo. Biscuits. What’s This etc.
You can teach more than one signal. I.e. individual signals for each dog. Also a group one.
2. Use the new signal 3 times a day for the next few weeks or months (depends on how independent the dog is) when you are 100% certain that the dog will come to you. Start in the house for the first few days or weeks.
3. ONLY SAY IT ONCE.
4. Reinforce every step. Cheer, clap – show enthusiasm for every step.
5. Feed / Play with the dog for 30 secs – 1 min after they have come to you. Use special treats, special toys, everything you have. The reward must last for between 30 secs and 1 minute - time it because it is longer than you think.
Leslie Nelson suggests that to get your enthusiasm for the recall at the correct level, imagine your worst case scenario for recall (i.e. dog chasing cat toward a busy road) and imagine using the recall signal and the dog turning instantly and coming to you at top speed. Reward every practise as if it is that recall.
The most common reasons that Leslie has seen for recalls not working are owners repeating the cue, not practising 3 times a day and being stingy with the rewards.
If it goes wrong and the dog doesn’t come after you call him even though you were 100% sure he would Do something odd. Run and hide. Get in car. Play with toys.
Then do 1 easy recall, reward heavily and go back to practising in the house for 2 weeks.
The longer you can go practising 3 times a day, without testing the recall, the stronger it will be.
Doing the practise should also improve every day recall.
P.S. Leslie Nelson has Afghan Hounds and Whippets and says she can recall them from chasing using the really reliable recall.
