The Whiplash Recall

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.