If your dog runs past you when you recall them, you need to try this training exercise:
Harness/collar grab
Why does this work so well?
- Some dogs might not feel comfortable with being restrained to have their lead put back on – this means every time you call your dog something uncomfortable happens. This can ruin your dog’s recall over time!
- We can fix this by teaching them that having their harness/collar grabbed is safe and earns them a treat.
- It also teaches them exactly what you want to happen when you call them – often when we really need to call our dog its in situations where we need to get them back under control!
How to teach this:
- Start at home, with your dog wearing their walking gear (collar/harness) and treats in your treat pouch.
- Reach towards their collar/harness and immediately give them a treat with your other hand.
- If they show comfortable body language, next time grab their harness gently before straight away giving them another treat.
- Repeat!
- Try in different locations, adding movement away from your dog so they run to you to be caught and get their treat.
See me and Jeff the patterdale demonstrating this on a training walk:
This game can massively boost your dogs recall. It’s so simple but it’s really effective.
If your dog has ever played keep-away when you need to leave the park, or run past you when you recalled them – this will help a lot 🙂
It works by giving your dog a positive association with being caught.
For sensitive or nervous dogs:
– get help from a certified trainer
– start with just reaching your hand towards them, then giving a treat.
– if your dog looks uncomfortable (turns away, yawns, or tries to leave) stop training
Another real life training session with Jeff! ❤️