You call your dog’s name, but she doesn’t come to your side. In fact, she barely even turns her head to acknowledge you. Is she just being stubborn, or has she forgotten her recall training completely? To some extent, forgetting what recall is and deciding not to engage with it are two sides of the same coin. Find out more about why regular dog recall practice is important.

What Is Recall?

If you’re a first-time dog owner, you may not know what recall is, but you’ve probably come across the term before. Recall is one of the most important foundational cues you can teach your dog. Simply put, recall is your dog’s ability and consistent willingness to come to you when called. Most owners train this skill using their dog’s name, but you can also use words like here, come, and heel.

Why Is Recall Important?

The concept of recall comes up most often in relation to off-leash walking. This is because dogs can only be trusted off-leash in uncontained areas if they always listen to you regardless of external stimuli. Does that mean you can skip recall training if you don’t plan on walking your dog off leash? Absolutely not. Recall is important for all dogs and dog owners because the unexpected (like your dog bolting through an open door or escaping the yard) can occur, and you need to be able to call her back reliably when it does.

Can Dogs Forget Recall Over Time?

Does the principle, “Use it or lose it,” apply to dogs? The short answer is yes. However, there are a few ways that your dog can lose the skill of recall over time.

The first is the simplest: you stop working on recall training, and your dog forgets what it is that you expect her to do. Depending on your dog’s age and disposition, this can happen in a matter of weeks or months.

The second is a little more complicated, but still easy enough to remedy: you stop rewarding your dog for her recall. If recall always leads to something unwanted (like leaving the dog park) without any reward, your dog may decide that she doesn’t want to participate anymore.

How Can I Make Sure My Dog Doesn’t Forget Recall?

Teaching recall isn’t always easy, and you may need professional help. However, maintaining recall is pretty straightforward. Make sure you’re frequently offering a reward, like a treat or high-value toy, in exchange for your dog’s recall. This is especially important when responding to recall means giving up something fun or desirable, like playing with other dogs. If you don’t find yourself using recall naturally, make a point to practice a few times a week. You can do this at home, in your backyard, or in a high-distraction area like the dog park.

Do you need help mastering the dog training basics? All Dogs Unleashed can help. Find out more about our dog training programs and sign up at your nearest ADU location today.