Puppy Raising for Guide Dogs: Recall | Accessible version

How to Teach Your Puppy Recall: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Associating Your Recall Cue

1. Find a low-distraction environment at home to start training your puppy.
2. Wait until your puppy looks at you, then use their name followed by the recall cue in a happy and upbeat tone.
3. When your puppy comes to you, reward them with high-value treats.
4. Repeat this process several times to reinforce the association between their name, the recall cue, and coming to you.

Step 2: Building Association

1. Call your puppy's name followed by the recall cue when they are not looking at you.
2. Reward your puppy when they respond by coming to you.
3. Practice this step multiple times to strengthen the association between the cues and your puppy's response.

Step 3: Introducing Distance

1. Allow your puppy to be off the lead but still in a controlled environment.
2. Call your puppy to you from a distance and reward them for coming back.
3. Continue to work on your puppy's recall in different settings to generalize the behavior.

Step 4: Adding the Release Cue

1. Introduce a release cue, such as "okay," to let your puppy know they can go after coming to you.
2. Reward your puppy for staying with you until you release them.
3. Practice this step consistently to reinforce the release cue and your puppy's response.

Step 5: Adding the Hand Touch

1. Teach your puppy to touch your hand to prevent them from running back and potentially causing safety risks.
2. Practice the hand touch command with your puppy until they respond reliably.
3. Use the release cue to let your puppy know they can move freely after touching your hand.

Top Tips:

• Be patient if your puppy doesn't grasp the training immediately.
• Ensure your puppy wears an identification disc for safety and legal reasons.
• Avoid feeding your puppy before or after exercise to prevent bloating.
• Keep your puppy in secure environments and on a lead in potentially distracting areas.
• Use your recall cue sparingly and be clear and loud when using it.
• Offer high-value rewards during training to keep your puppy engaged.
• Seek support from a puppy development advisor for additional guidance.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively teach your puppy recall and build a strong foundation for future training and interactions with your furry companion.