My “Not-so” Secret to Strong Recall

 

Let me guess, when you brought your puppy or dog home the first skill you wanted to work on was recall. I am with you! I think reliable recall is one of the most important things you can teach your dog no matter what age they are. There is an endless supply of “how to” videos on every platform with tips and tricks to teach a speedy recall. Games are great, but I want to discuss what I think is the authentically challenging part of teaching recall. 

This weekend, I spent some time with a good friend helping her dog practice recall and neutrality around my dogs. I suggested some games I have learned from a variety of trainers. I am so confident that her and her cavapoo will succeed with consistent practice. This session helped me reflect on what I have learned about recall and what I would want to share with anyone trying to perfect it.

Being on “dogstagram”, I have seen countless reels with the most absurd suggested quick fixes for a good recall. One woman suggested you rub a strong smelling treat on your hand, so whenever you call the dog they will want to come back to sniff your hand. A few reels even suggested that you should let your dog off leash anywhere even if they don’t have reliable recall. I have personally been affected by this in real life, and it never ends well. 

Neither of these approaches will lead to a dog that will turn on a dime to come to you the instant you call their name. I have found the best approach takes time and an incredible investment from you into your dog. This approach is based on relationship building. 

I remember teaching Chief to behave off leash. He would be glued to me as long as I had his frisbee. We went to the beach on the first nice day in the spring. There were no less than 50 dogs running around. He paid them no attention and played diligently with me and his frisbee in the waves. I even allowed him to greet a few dogs, which he immediately recalled off of when I asked. We had a beautiful day.

A few weeks later, we returned to the beach to play frisbee. There was another couple with their off leash dog down the beach but Chief didn’t seem to mind them at all. After a few tosses, he tipped the frisbee off of his snout and it sunk into the surf never to be seen again. I thought “no problem, I have a cheese stick. We can work on obedience”. Less than a minute later, the other couple threw their dog’s ball and Chief shot off after it. I sprinted after him calling his name and finally got him to come back to me. I felt terrible about this- I didn’t appreciate when this happened to us in reverse and it was a wakeup call that I needed more than a frisbee to get Chief to recall every time. 

Chief was still extremely young at this point. Very few people will tell you that relationship building takes time and dedication. Maybe what I was doing with Chief was some light bribery, always having his frisbee with us, and bringing high value treats everywhere we went. Depending on the environment, your dog’s mood, and other stress factors these items just wont’ be enough some days.

Today, I can bring Chief anywhere and he will stay with me on or off leash. He recalls off of anything (his highlight reel includes moose, deer, rabbits, and horse poop). We developed a relationship where he determines that I am the most valuable thing to him no matter what else is going on around us. This took time, patience, and hard work. We play together any chance we get, exercise together, learn new activities together, and overcome stress as a team. I still always carry food and treats with me, because my dogs deserve to be paid for their hard work. Bottom line, we just love to be together. That is what will always bring him back to me. 

I am working on this same approach with Chickie. She is a much more social and independent dog than Chief, so I do foresee this being more of a challenge to teach her. I will dedicate as much time as she needs to practice in order for her to safely enjoy off leash freedom. As their handler, I will never knowingly put my dogs in a situation that could be dangerous for them. Letting them off leash is a risk I am willing to take once I am confident with their consistent recall. Anything can happen, and it is important that I prepare my dogs to seek my guidance in unknown situations. Dogs deserve to live a life of freedom, and it is up to us to prepare them to safely do so. 

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has taught me this “not-so secret” to recall. I am so inspired by the trainers who have instilled this idea of relationship building in my everyday training approach. I have seen personally how this approach can take you and your dog to the next level, and will always rely on relationship to lead a happy and healthy life with my dogs. 

Tricky Chickie

 

Raising Chickie has been such an entirely unique experience from what I shared with Chief. As far as I remember, Chief was extremely biddable and seemingly immediately showed a fascination with our training sessions. Some people who have known him from the start say “he isn’t a real heeler” and they might be right. Reactivity aside, he was easy to raise. 

Part of the reason I wanted to bring Chickie into my life was to see if I could make lightning strike twice. With Chief, I had built a high drive, fit, well rounded, multifaceted dog. I often wonder if I got lucky with him, and I am sure luck was part of it. When we met Chickie, she ran around the room at warp speed dodging all of the furniture with ease. I knew right away she was the kind of puppy I wanted to have in my life, and that she would be a great match energy wise for Chief. 

She slept in the car crate the whole drive home, and settled into our house within hours. A few weeks went by, and I trained Chickie every morning using the same concepts that I have built off of with Chief. She seemed to truly enjoy our training sessions and showed a lot of potential. She had great recall no matter the situation. I remember thinking how easy she was to work with. 

Fast forward a few weeks, and Chickie hurt her leg. Luckily she is fine! She made a quick recovery, but was not spared from a week of crate rest. She begged me to play with her and snubbed any attempts at mind games, puzzles, or enrichment I dared to offer her. When Chickie was cleared to return to normal activity, she made it very clear that she was unhappy with her week of rest. She was not interested in training, refused to recall, and seemed to forget all of her training. 

I think we were hit by the perfect storm- Chickie entered her teenager era and was forced to slow down against her will in one miserable week. I felt a rift in our relationship. Because I had not had fun HER way for a week, it seemed that she felt that I had abandoned her emotionally. She is a little girl that likes what she likes, and made it abundantly clear that she did NOT like crate rest. It took about two weeks for me to regain her trust and light a fire of enthusiasm in her again. We keep training fun, and take it very slow so she can feel successful at the end of each session. 

Chickie is tricky- she has meltdowns over nothing. If you pick her up when she is doing something she deems important, she growls and tries to bite you. She tests me everyday to see what she can get away with, and keeps me constantly pivoting as I try to stay one step ahead of her. To be perfectly honest, this is not easy. However, it is the exact challenge I need. As I pursue my future in canine conditioning training, I need to be equipped to work with any dog (and handler) that chooses to work with me. I am fortunate to have the resources behind me to refer dogs for behavior modification training, but when they come in for a conditioning session with me it is important that I am confident in giving them the best training I can provide. 

Chickie’s challenges are teaching me to be more dynamic as a trainer. She is teaching me more creative approaches, and how to figure out what makes different dogs happy and willing to train with you. Chief is highly food motivated, where Chickie loves to play. I thank her for making me a more well rounded handler and welcome the future challenges she will throw my way. We will grow and improve together. I am so fortunate to have this special little girl in my life, my tricky Chickie. 

Unexpected preparation recommendations for bringing home a new puppy

 

As soon as I found out I was bringing a puppy home, let alone a high energy working breed puppy, I set out to prepare our home and our lives for this major change. I will never understand how people are surprised with a new puppy, because it takes a lot of mental and emotional preparation to truly welcome an animal into your life. It is easy to assume potty training will be the majority of the trouble, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My priorities were not gear, toys, clothes, and comfy dog beds. Puppies are reckless, they go through different emotional phases as they mature, and NOTHING is safe around them. Here is how I prepared for Chief, then almost two years later Chickie, to come home:

Time Off

I was fortunate at the time to have the opportunity to take the majority of the week off after Chief came home. I knew the importance of establishing a routine and wanted to lay that groundwork immediately. I wanted Chief to feel comfortable and have a sense of familiarity with his new life before I went back to work. I spent our first week together building our relationship and beginning his socialization. I made plans each day to take him somewhere new and to meet new people so that he was comfortable with new environments.

With Chickie, I didn’t take time off as my work schedule already accommodated her care needs. My husband and I worked together to split the responsibility and so far this has worked out extremely well for us. I make sure to utilize my three day weekends for training outings with her, as well as fitting in at least one outing on a weeknight to work on her confidence in new environments. She originally had trouble settling in her car crate, so we would bring her with us to pick up Chief from day school on weekdays that he attended. This exposure and repetition helped her learn that the car crate is a comfy place to be, and that she will always be let out in a timely manner. We have worked very hard to set a schedule for her to help her assimilate to her new life as seamlessly as possible.

Reliable dog walkers

 When the time came for me to go back to work after Chief came home, he was still too young to go to Day School at My Dog’s Mind. I knew we needed dependable dog walkers to help him get through the work days. We found Freedom Pet Services that is run by a local woman who employs multiple walkers and LOVES dogs. I love this option because they are nearby, very personal, and with multiple walkers they always have someone available to fit your schedule.

Safe Outdoor Space

 I am in no way implying that everyone who has a dog should have a fenced in yard, but consider finding a place where your new dog can run free and exercise. For years I avoided the cost of fencing in my yard. My rescue dog Vinny is not and will never be off leash trained so he was never outside without our supervision. When we found out we were getting a cattle dog, it was the perfect opportunity to pull the trigger. By some dumb luck, a fencing company was able to do the job and completed the fence the evening before Chief was brought home. It was such a joy to let Chief and Vinny meet in a neutral outdoor space. This was also a lifesaver for potty training.

Because Vinny can be sensitive about his space indoors, we utilized the fenced in space in the backyard to help him get comfortable with Chickie. He had plenty of space to engage with her if he wanted to, and walk away when he was overwhelmed. Today, Chickie and Vinny can often be found running laps and chasing each other in the fenced in part of the yard. In my opinion, this space for interaction was a crucial part in the success of Vinny accepting Chickie into our life.

Kennel for house

Puppies need a space to relax and learn to be calm. Chief would run around to the point of exhaustion if I let him. When he first came home, I didn’t truly understand the saying “a tired puppy is a good puppy”. I thought if I let him run around as much as possible and get all of his energy out that he would calm down. This could not have been farther from the truth. The more I let him wear himself out physically, the more wound up he became mentally. I utilized a kennel in our living room area for these times. When he seemed to be getting tired, I would kennel him and calm the environment. Sometimes he would cry and bark in protest of the kennel, and sometimes he would immediately fall asleep. Puppies need this space to reset and learn the “art of doing nothing”. Looking back, I should have used a crate instead of an open kennel to further limit the amount of freedom he was given at such a young age.  

I decided to apply this to Chickie’s training and am happy to share that it was a great choice for her. The day we brought her home, we put her in a crate with a handful of high value treats and allowed Vinny and Chief to observe her from a distance as she took in the new environment. That crate remained in our living room for the first month she was home. Chickie seemed to enjoy having a place she could completely relax, and regular crating allowed her to quickly learn and anticipate her new daily schedule. When she could successfully settle in the crate at any time, we traded it out for a pen that is slightly larger. Although she is still learning to settle in the pen, she is enjoying having a little extra freedom.This practice is also a huge benefit to Chief and Vinny, as they can retain their own space in the house without worrying about Chickie bothering them all day long.

Established with vet

Veterinary practices seem busier than ever since the COVID boom of everyone getting a dog. It is important to be established with a vet before bringing a puppy home. As soon as we chose Chief, I set up an account for him with our current vet and scheduled his first few vaccine appointments. This is a critical time in their lives, and if something were to happen you want to have a vet that you trust to help navigate the situation. Chief went potty thirty times the first few days he was home. I was worried about the possibility of a UTI, so I called our vet and they happily saw him immediately. They loved him so much and provided excellent care, as well as reassurance that the frequency was normal and he was healthy.

For Chickie, we established with a new vet office that is closer to our house. I brought Vinny there and had a fantastic experience with the staff. They were extremely respectful of his space and accommodated his care wonderfully. Chickie has been multiple times now, and absolutely loves the attention she gets there. She is highly sensitive to handling (even snapped at the vet for daring to check her little ears), so we reviewed strategies together to help her safely receive care moving forward.

Food and monthly preventatives

Before picking up Chief, I asked our breeder what brand of food he was on so I could stock up and seamlessly transition him to our home. I also asked for a month of flea and tick and heartworm preventatives so we could be prepared until our vet appointments. It is important to establish an eating schedule immediately so your puppy can be as healthy and happy as possible to start their new life. For Chickie, we received a bag of her food from the breeder then used that to transition her to Oma’s Pride. She has adjusted extremely well. Establishing a normal diet and meal schedule was integral in successful potty training.

Just because these practices worked for me doesn’t mean they are the only way. My biggest recommendation would be to spend your time getting to know your dog, and building a great relationship with them from day one. Enjoy every second, and be prepared for them to grow up right before your eyes!

Our new chapter begins

 

Chief’s second birthday was last Monday. I love birthdays. They are fun, celebratory, and meant to make the person (or dog) feel loved. I felt so sad on Chief’s birthday. Our time with our dogs is so short, and every passing year reminds me of that fact. This year, I made the choice to do more for, and with, my dogs to make the most of our time together. 

I am excited to share that I was accepted to the current cohort of the Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT) program. By early 2025, I will be a CPCFT qualified to work with dogs and their handlers to improve their lives through physical fitness and training for injury prevention. Chief sparked my interest in canine conditioning. He is a high octane dog with no sense of self preservation. We do a variety of activities together and I want to make sure he is as prepared as can for any physical challenge. We work on conditioning almost everyday and both equally enjoy this practice.

Our dogs have so much untapped potential that we can build upon to help them live a long and healthy life. One of my first experiences with canine conditioning was buying a pivot bowl for Chief and I to work with. I remember trying to teach him how to “orbit” (reverse circle around the handler) for months with no success. We started working his hind end awareness on the pivot bowl. One day, he OFFERED me an orbit! I couldn’t believe that this simple change in routine yielded such amazing results. From there, I was hyper-focused on seeing how far this practice could take us.

Something I love about canine conditioning is that it is all about fun and relationship building. There are no opposing training philosophies, or controversial methods to argue about. The trainer’s time is truly dedicated to improving the dog in front of them. This type of training is based on building a dog’s confidence and making the experience as enjoyable as possible for them. Through conditioning, the dog will progress in their fitness abilities, all the while becoming stronger and more capable. This is something I have seen in Chief and cannot wait to share with other dog handlers. 

Anyone can participate in canine conditioning. The programs are tailored to both the dog and the handler’s physical abilities, goals, and interests. This is why I believe canine conditioning is the most undervalued aspect of dog training. It is designed to strengthen your bond with your dog which in turn will improve your practice. People choose to participate in canine conditioning for a variety of reasons. Some have dogs who compete in high impact sports that require extra training to prepare, others want to ensure their dog can join them on their daily morning walk for years to come. Canine conditioning isn’t just for athletes, but for the everyday dog to do the things they love without compromising their safety. 

I look forward to sharing my passion with all of you. This is a huge step for me personally- I have always loved dogs and it has been a goal of mine to work with them professionally in some capacity. I have a lot of self doubt when it comes to dog training. I feel like Chief was placed in my life to help me navigate these new experiences with a little more ease than any other dog could. He is so talented, biddable, eager to please, and above all strong. Watching his physical progress is more satisfying than reaching my own personal fitness goals, because we do it together as a team. We will tackle this new dream together. 

I Don’t Train Vinny

 

I constantly talk about training Chief and Chickie. They have a very consistent schedule most days. Everyday includes 10-15 minutes of structured training then we train situationally throughout the day. I often post videos to my Instagram story of training sessions with Chickie, and receive tons of messages about Chief being silly in the background (typically he is on his place cot while Chickie trains but he inches his front paws off a little at a time to get closer to the food and fun). What you don’t see is Vinny watching off camera, usually sprawled out on the couch. 

Vinny no longer has daily structured training. When I first brought Vinny home, we did fun little obedience sessions and trained problems as they came up. I took him to a puppy class at the local SPCA and although he was never “great” at any of the tasks, we had a lot of fun together. I never had real goals for him besides making a great pet dog out of him. He had a terrible start to life so I felt a lot of responsibility to make up for that. As most of you know, Vinny ended up being extremely reactive and even aggressive to anyone outside of his very small circle. This forced me to seek professional training help. 

We were failed by a handful of trainers who promised results and to be honest I think they crumbled under the challenge that Vinny dealt to them. We even had one trainer who would show up to our session, and if Vinny barked at her (which duh, he’s a highly reactive dog of course he barked at her) she would tell me he was over threshold and end the session for the day. And yes, she pocketed the payment for the “session”. I felt so lost before taking Vinny to My Dog’s Mind where we took weekly private lessons. He improved so much and was able to safely go on walks and respond to management techniques to avoid blowing up at every trigger we passed. 

Vinny now happily lives a life of couch naps, walks, and outdoor play in our fenced in yard. He is extremely happy with this life and his stress level is very low compared to what it used to be. During the winter we went on a lot of trail walks. I was so proud when he was able to quietly sit off the trail while both people and dogs passed. To me, this is an end goal for our training. Being able to reward this behavior is an ongoing practice that will place high value on each successful repetition. 

So, why do I train the cattle dogs everyday but not Vinny? The answer is simple- goals. I have vastly different goals for each of my dogs. When I brought Chief home, I already decided he was going to be the dog that would help me become involved in dog sports. It is great that he happens to be very talented at many of the sports we have tried so far. This lifestyle was always my vision for him. In order to excel at this, we need to constantly work on our obedience training and conditioning to avoid injury. That is Chief’s why for training every day. Chickie is a puppy, and while she is allowed to have as much fun as her little heart can handle, she is also being taught basic obedience, boundaries, and handling skills. These foundations will allow her to participate in sports as well. 

Vinny was never meant to be my sport dog. Honestly, I don’t even think I knew that dog sports were “a thing” before I started thinking about getting a cattle dog. Vinny was supposed to be my best friend, the dog that came everywhere with me, and the dog to go on long walks with. Unfortunately he will never be my “go everywhere” dog, but after years of working towards this realization I have come to peace with this. I will admit I never realized how severe Vinny’s issues really were until Chief came into my life and showed me what a well bred, good tempered dog is really like. 

I have a feeling a lot of you can relate to this. Maybe you have a rescue dog who was given a second chance at life, but is far from perfect.  I can relate to how difficult but also rewarding this situation is. Without Vinny, I wouldn’t have Chief and certainly wouldn’t have Chickie. Vinny taught me so much, and worked so hard to improve, all while taking the brunt of my lack of experience. He deserves to live a low key life doing the things he loves now. He doesn’t love formal obedience or trick training (although for a large dog he has an impressive “sit pretty”). What he does enjoy is going for a walk and getting treats for being on his best behavior. He loves lounging in the sun in our backyard where he has peace and quiet for hours. More than anything, he loves to snuggle with as much of his large body on you as physically possible. Being realistic about the situation your dog can thrive in is an integral step to improving their quality of life. Just ask Vinny, who happily eats his breakfast then settles in on the couch for the morning circus performance by the two cattle dogs.