Recall with Camila

Cookie hasn't sent me a letter, but Camila has. (She's Cookie's person, remember?) She sent it on Friday.

Dear Lassie, 

Yesterday, Penny went to Puppy Kindergarten where we were learning recall. I was wondering if you could do a blog post about getting a dog to learn their name and come when called. I know all about it now, so I can write the post if you want.

Yours Truly,

Camila

I replied "Yes" and we exchanged emails, setting up the whole post. This is what she sent me today.

Recall is all about coming when called. It's about knowing your name. It's important. So that's why we had to teach Penny her name. We did so at Puppy Kindergarten. There are two rules of recall:

1. Never call the animal away from something they are enjoying..
2. Never call the animal to do something they will not like.

Follow these rules and your pet should know their name in no time! For example, I followed Rule #1 today. Penny was playing in the mud and obviously, I didn't want her too. But, I remembered the rules, so I didn't call her out of her play, but instead went to go pick her up and take her back inside. I also followed Rule #2 later today. Since she was muddy, she needed a bath. Cookie hates baths, so we assumed Penny might to. So, we brought treats to feed her during the bath and went to go get her. We put her in the bath and as we thought, she didn't like it that much. But, it was over pretty quickly. Although she was wet, she was clean. Plus, we didn't break any rules.

A way to get them to learn to come is practicing and then sending them back to what they were doing. A good ratio from this is 10:1; ten calls when you send them back and one where you bring them in. But still, follow the rules. There is a simple thing you can do with your puppy to help them learn to come. Run away from them, crouching low. Call her name once in a high voice and then make high-pitched sounds until you get to your destination. Treat heavily once she is slightly past your side. Do this repeatedly and you will have a dog that knows their name and will come to you if you ever need her to.

Penny is learning her name and if you followed this post, your dog can learn their's too!