Beginning the Recall Exercise
Leash and slip collar in hand.
Dog is inside crate waiting to come out.
Bounce gate 5 times; say, “Wait”
Put leash and collar on dog, close gate
loosely, bounce it a few times, leave it open, saying “Wait” as you stand up and
get ready to call your dog. Hold your hands out and extend “wizard fingers” as
you say wait to give puppy visual “wait” encouragement.
You should be standing about 9 feet away,
one arm and leg extended forward toward the crate ready to stop the dog from
coming out until called. Do what it
takes.
When ready, command “DOG” to “Come” to you.
Use small snap corrections with the
lead.
Gather up the leash and backup quickly and
lightly on your toes to guide him to the front of you where hopefully, he will
sit. Do not sweat the small stuff; if pup does not sit do not worry. Just get him
situated in front of you.
Say “What a good dog”, and pat his chest
when he gets to you.
Do not make puppy wait in front of you.
Either do the exercise again straight away, or proceed outside, or proceed to
do whatever you were doing when you first decided to take him out of the crate
or out of his enclosure.
If this is an actual practice “session” do
it three or four times or until you get it right, put the dog back in the crate
for a treat and to think for a few minutes, then put him on the house lead and
there you go.
This exercise can be practiced from a mat
or a day bed once the pup has the idea. A “house lead is a light 3/8 inch x 7
ft. nylon kennel leash with a small clip which is used as an umbilical so the
pup may follow you around the house.
Do
not give young dogs full access to the house right away. Remember that these
are rewards that must be earned. (by you and the dog). If you want puppy to
sleep in the bedroom, then you need to be diligent about training. Sleeping
with Alpha and Beta is serious freedom. Train using a CALENDAR a CLOCK and a
JOURNAL. Record your activity and thoughts; training should be brief and
frequent. When you miss a day entirely write down that you have missed the day
entirely. Record your daily care of the
pup as well. THE CALENDAR AND CLOCK WILL BE CHECKED BY THE DOG NANA.
