Perfecting the COME Command — Part 2 The Turn

The perfect recall can be broken down into 3 sections. Every good recall has a beginning, a middle and an ending. Each component will present its own unique challenges and should be taught individually first. We talked about the ending of the recall in a recent blog post: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Perfecting the Recall Part 1: The Ending

If you missed it, take the time to read through it now.

Today, I’m going to talk about the beginning. The perfect recall beginning would consist of your dog turning from any distraction the instant you call, whether it’s a running squirrel or a giant steak! So how do you achieve this result?

First, we need to start with baby steps. Without the right history and repetition, expecting a dog to turn from a tough distraction is unlikely to yield success. You have to put in the time and the repetition if you want a great recall. This means starting with no distractions to teach your dog what their recall cue is all about! Remember that every great journey starts with a single step. Your first task is to teach your dog that your recall cue brings wonderful things. That means creating an association with your recall cue to start.

Step 1 — Creating a Positive Association

• Make a list of your dog’s top 5 favorite rewards