Come Back!

I have watched in horror at dog owners in my local parks whose dogs are running free with a red or purple faced owner screaming at them to come back! Never, never fight a battle that you can't win! If you are not in a position to reinforce your wish, then you are actually training your dog to not come back and to be able to disobey you!

If you are faced with this situation I would say nothing until you can finally get hold of your dog and just hook him up and take it on the chin! Do not scold or punish because cause and effect will be lost on him and you will just look like a bully in a foul temper for no reason and then he'll be twice as determined not to come back to you next time!

So, once you have hold of the little sod, here's what I'd do! Buy a training line from a reputable supplier, I have brought mine off Amazon who we recommend and also a good supplier off eBay but there are plenty of other places that sell them. The lines are flat webbing with a different width depending on the size and strength of the dog and have a handle at one end and a clip at the other.

There are different lengths of line, I have 30 feet and 50 feet lengths and even a 100 feet depending on the dog and where I am, preferably a wide open space. If the dog is fast and determined then use the 50 foot one. Hook up your dog, his collar will do, if he is particularly strong willed and determined a choke chain will do but just ensure there are no sudden pulls on it to cause discomfort!

Simply hook up and let the dog move away from you to walk freely. If you are nervous then hold onto the end of the line, the dog will not be aware of it as it will be dragging, but it allows you to relax as you know he cant get away! At appropriate times; when he is just about to turn to you or is on his way back, call his name and when he arrives offer a tit bit or some fuss or play a game and then release without a command and just walk on. Quite soon you will be calling even if he is distracted and he will fly back to you. If he makes off and ignores your call, hold onto the end of the line and if he is running or you are not strong, walk or trot forward to gradually slow him down and then stand your ground. DO NOT send your dog into a back flip or jar him to a halt, you may hurt or damage his neck or back in the process! Simply move forward acting as a spring to take the jolt out of the stop and then concentrate on using all your energy and encouragement to get the dog to WANT TO COME BACK! Remember, this is not about force, it's about a trusting, respectful relationship!

Call again and if he ignores you give a tug on the line and proceed to guide him back with tugs and not pulling! If you pull he will pull against you, the moment he begins to return, call again with arms spread wide and encourage him into a big reward! After a time, you can use the shorter line and if it's an old one, you could even cut it down a length at a time until it is little more than a very long lead.

That's it! keep it up and you will have a recall in no time! Eventually you can let him off when you trust him, but don't be afraid to use the line again if he falls off the wagon!

If you have a particularly difficult case and you can't get your dogs attention, then consider using a remote spray collar to get the dogs attention and then use rewards to get him back to you! Consider professionally help if you do not feel competent to do this on your own!