Rather than our usual weekly training update, we’re instead sharing a video we made this week showing (as best we can) the “whiplash” recall. Trying to train and film at the same time affects Lilly’s overall performance (slows her down), but I think you’ll get the idea. The goal is to get her to turn on a dime and return when called.
We learned this “whiplash” strategy from Leslie McDevitt’s book, Control Unleashed.
Clearly, we’re doing this in an “easy” situation. She is unleashed, on fenced property, and we’re headed toward the gate on our way out for a walk. It’s a good time to practice these quick turns because she is usually sprinting toward the gate with excitement, and I get the chance to ask her to change her momentum and return to me.
We do this a few times, every time we go for a walk.
I’m not saying Lilly would turn this quickly and easily if there was something really FUN or SCARY up ahead, but at least the pattern is set.
We decided to film these examples because I’ve been getting so many calls and emails from friends and neighbors asking about how to get a dog to COME when called.
Sometimes the dog + family relationship is just too new and the recall practice lacking. Sometimes the pull of wildlife or other exciting things is just too much.
I don’t claim to be a recall expert, but I do know that the more you practice and the more you reward the COME, even in easy situations, the better chance you have of it working when the world intervenes.
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We found this video online as well. It uses the same basic techniques from Leslie’s book. The background music made me laugh.
You’ve inspired me to do more recall training! Lilly looks great. She must be super speedy if the camera slows her down.
My dog does well in low distraction areas, and even often with distractions in the yard. It seems much more tricky for her if she’s at all anxious…back to practice!
Oh, you made me realize that I hadn’t looked up that recall stuff for you… I’ll do it soon. Things have gone temporarily insane around our house with guests and illnesses.
But, I can’t agree more that practicing when there are few distractions is SO important. We do 3 or so recalls at the start of every off-leash walk to set the pattern. Then, if I notice animal tracks, we practice having the dogs recall across the animal tracks. Finally, since my dogs are reliable, we also stop and practice immediately after seeing an actual animal. When my dogs were young, I’d put long lines on them for this last part. It took about 2 years for each of them but I almost completely trust them around wildlife now.
Lily is a star!!! She does a great whip-around recall, just like so many of the dogs trained using Gigi’s techniques.
Lilly’s returns look pretty darn quick to me! I need to work on this more and remember to carry treats. Praise only goes so far with dogs.
Love that second video’s music. In French, no less!