Week 6

[Day 37] Effective recall with sitting in front: How to teach your dog to come back safely

November 12, 2024

Time to read 4 min

Basic obedience: Day 37 of 56

This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.

Recall training is one of the most important exercises a dog should master. Recall means that your dog not only listens to you, but is also prepared to interrupt its current behaviour and come to you. However, it is not enough for him to simply come back to you somehow. A precise end position, such as "sitting in front", helps to make the recall clear and controlled. In this blog, you will find out why sitting in front is crucial for the recall and how to train it successfully.

Can you imagine your dog sitting right in front of you as soon as you call him?

Goal: Your dog learns the end position of the recall by sitting down in front of or next to you.

Equipment: Collar, Leash, treats

Location: Low-stimulus indoor environment, later outdoors

Duration: approx. 5 minutes, 5 repetitions each

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Correction methods for leash training

Recall is a chain of behaviour that comprises several steps:

Your dog interrupts his current behaviour,
turns away from stimuli,
runs to you
and positions itself close to you.

A clear end position such as "sitting in front" provides structure and clarity in the recall. This means that the dog sits directly in front of or close to you. This increases control over the situation and makes recall training particularly efficient. This method is particularly ideal for dogs with a lot of independence or a high hunting instinct.

Why is the recall with "in front" so useful?

Firstly, it creates clear boundaries for your dog. Instead of running around uncontrollably in front of you, the dog knows exactly where to position itself. This gives your dog security and helps him to concentrate. Especially for dogs with a greater individual distance, who don't like to be close to their humans, sitting in front helps to expand their comfort zone.

Secondly, the recall with a clear end position strengthens the trust between you and your dog. Your dog learns that following the recall is always associated with a positive experience. This motivates him to come back to you more often and more reliably in future.

Thirdly, you can flexibly adapt the "sitting in front" to your dog's needs. Some dogs like to sit directly in front of their human, while others are more comfortable sitting next to their human. No matter which position you choose, your dog will learn that he should immediately switch to this position when you give the recall signal.

Doberman sits in front of dog handler in the chair

Recall training with "sitting in front" requires patience and consistent rewards. The rewards must always be adapted to the dog. They can be treats, games or praise - depending on what motivates your dog the most. It is important that your dog understands that he is being rewarded for his attention and that the recall is a rewarding action.

ℹ Attention

Some dogs have a particularly large individual distance, which also applies to their humans. So watch out for possible signals from your dog when it becomes uncomfortable for him, or when it becomes anatomically uncomfortable for you (because he is too small, too big or similar).

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Summary

The recall with "sitting in front" brings structure to the training and provides your dog with clear points of reference. By teaching your dog a clear end position, you not only reinforce the recall behaviour, but also create trust and control. For a reliable recall, it is important to work patiently and consistently. With regular practice and the right rewards, your dog will perceive the recall as positive and enjoy coming to you - no matter how exciting his environment is at the time.

Dog sits next to its owner and gets a treat

[Day 36] Reward analysis: How to reward your dog correctly when recalling

American Pitbull Terrier sits in the chair

[Day 38] Recall training for dogs: consolidate "here" and strengthen the need

The authors: Paulina & Lui

Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store]. Her journey in dog training began with the adoption of her first list dog, Vito. This experience sparked her deep interest in teaching other dog owners about dog behaviour and training. Initially this was just a hobby, but with the adoption of the American Pitbull Amalia, who had been relinquished several times due to severe behavioural problems, her passion developed into a true vocation. Amalia's particular behavioural challenges intensified her interest in dog training and behavioural therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, undergo intensive further training and dedicate themselves entirely to the subject of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically for medium-sized and large breeds.

From this realisation, Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store] was born, a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for quality dog accessories. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experience, extensive knowledge and passion for dogs to every product to help human-dog teams live together.