Off Leash Dog Training
Have you ever seen anyone happier than an off leash dog? What about a person who has the confidence to let their dog off leash in the first place?
A rock-solid recall is a necessity before allowing your dog to have off-leash adventures, and it’s not as hard as it sounds.
For a rock-solid recall, follow our five tips for successful off-leash training!
5 Tips for a Rock-Solid Recall
TIP #1: Teach the behavior using games
1. Treat dispenser game
You’ll start with a handful of treats to play the Treat dispenser game. Put a treat on the ground, then run away, say “come,” and then set another treat on the ground. Your dog will be running from one treat to another when they hear the cue “come” and will enthusiastically participate in the game! Play for a total of ten treats.
Be sure to play in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors, on a leash.
2. Chase me game
To play the Chase Me game, simply run away from your dog, praising them as they chase after you. When they catch you, say “yes!” and give them a treat on the ground, then run away again, encouraging them to chase after you. Play for a total of ten treats.
Be sure to play in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors on leash.
3. Round rover
This game is played with two people who both have treats available! Simply say your dog’s name, followed by “come”! When your dog starts to run to you, say “yes!” then treat them when they arrive. Ignore them, then allow the other person to call them away, and continue to take turns calling your dog back and forth! Play for a total of ten treats. As your dog gets better at this game, you can take a step back to build up distance, too.
Again, be sure to play in various settings, both inside and outside, on a long line.
4. Hide & seek
This game is best played by two people. Have one person restrain your dog, and the other person run across the house and hide. Once you’re hidden, call your dog’s name followed by “come,” then, the person restraining your dog can let your dog loose to find the hidden person. When your dog finds your hiding spot, generously reward them, then restrain them so they can find the 2nd person.
Play for a total of ten minutes to give your dog a good physical and mental workout.
Need a good long leash line to help with your training?
We usually recommend this biothane dog leash by Viper.
One benefit about this leash is that it’s coated to emerge from even the swampiest environments (great for hikes in Oregon!).
It also stays dry & smell-free and doesn’t lose flexibility!
TIP #2: Match reinforcement to the environment
Low-distraction environment = low-value rewards
In low-distraction environments, such as inside your home or even your backyard, you can use lower-value rewards, such as your dog’s kibble.
High distraction environment = high-value rewards
If you’re in a medium or high-distraction environment, use your dog’s highest-value rewards. We recommend pinky-nail-sized bits of deli meat, string cheese, or stinky, soft treats.
TIP #3: Avoid recalling your dog to unpleasant experiences
Bath, kennel time out, etc. Never call your dog to only then make them do something they don’t enjoy. This can poison your cue by attaching negative associations to being asked to come when called!
TIP #4: Only use your recall when your dog can listen or if you intend to follow through with training
Name game as a test, then call your dog if they look at you If you’re not sure if your dog will come to you, say their name, and only call them if they look towards you! Otherwise...
Go to your dog and lure them back to you Walk over to your dog, put a treat on their nose, and lure them back to you. Reward them once they get to where you need to take them.
TIP #5: Never punish your dog for coming to you
Not even if they were doing something terrible! Absolutely never punish your dog when they respond to your recall, even if you were calling them away from something naughty that they were doing. Your dog will associate the punishment with being called to you, not with the behavior they were performing beforehand.
In conclusion, build a rock solid recall, you need to
1) teach the behavior
2) always reward the behavior and
3) set your dog up for success by practicing in a variety of settings.
Only then will you achieve your goal of having a dog that can be off-leash in safe settings.
Happy Training!
