how to teach your dog recall

Step 1
Prepare for Training: 
- Prepare several hundred high reward, small and soft treats (ex: chicken, cheese, bread, tortillas) 
- have small bags of treats prepared ahead of time, these need to be stored where they can me immediately available. 
- Choose a two syllable word that your dog does not hear on a daily basis (ex: hippo, yee Ha!, meow)
- Choose 7 different outdoor locations to do this training at. Start in your yard or an enclosed space. When your dog has it down start doing this in other locations. 

Step 2
Conditioning to Command:
- Say the word you have chosen and when your dog comes to you immediately feed your dog the highest reward treat. Do this as fast as you can, within 1-3 seconds. Repeat 100 times daily for 7 days. Do this conditioning in 7 different locations. 

Step 3
Move training to outdoor spaces:
- At a dog safe off leash location let your dog play and explore. Randomly say your chosen word and reward when your dog comes to you. Repeat 100 times at 7 different locations, do this with your dog at different distances from you. 
- Take advantage of moments when your dog is very interested in something, chasing a squirrel, playing with another dog or is out of sight from you. These are perfect opportunities to practice this recall. 

Step 4
After week 1 repeat on this schedule: 
- Weeks 2-4, repeat daily
- Weeks 5-6, repeat 3 times a week
- Weeks 7-8, repeat 1 time a week
- Weeks 9 and on, refresh 1-2 times a week

TIPS
- Do not overuse this command. It is for emergencies or immediate recall only. 
- Choose a treat that is an almost daily food for you. 
- Keep the treat you trained recall with consistent.
- Always give your dog the same treat you trained recall with. 
- You can use this recall for other unexpected encounters (ex: coyotes, snakes, deer, other dogs) ​