My dogs love roast chicken. They hardly ever get it, because I'm vegetarian, so when they do, they very nearly fall over backwards to get it - that is, they will try very hard to figure out what it is I want, so they will earn it as a reward.
Roast chicken is very desirable for most dogs. Because of this many owners are surprised that even when they have this delicacy with them, their dog still doesn't come back reliably, usually when other dogs are present, or there's something interesting to chase.
Unfortunately, getting a reliable recall is not that easy. It takes a structured training approach - as well as roast chicken and other high value rewards - to make a reliable recall a habit the dog will happily execute, no matter the distractions.
To build a habit, the dog will need to go through many many successful repetitions of coming back when called, as well as be very well rewarded by a variety of pleasurable things: this can be roast chicken, or (for the ball fanatics) chasing the ball, or being sent back to play with those dogs he just left for you!
How do you get many successful repetitions? You start at home - and no, the next step is not the dog park. That's like going from Prep to High School in one year and will lead to your dog not coming back when you call him, roast chicken or not.
I pride myself on offering one of the most comprehensive recall training programs, training an "everyday" recall as well as an "emergency" recall, and carefully training each part of this important behaviour separately and in various environments.
But while roast chicken alone won't get you that perfect recall, it certainly won't hurt. Your dog will definitely love you even more for it, and come back - at least sometimes.
Roast chicken is very desirable for most dogs. Because of this many owners are surprised that even when they have this delicacy with them, their dog still doesn't come back reliably, usually when other dogs are present, or there's something interesting to chase.
Unfortunately, getting a reliable recall is not that easy. It takes a structured training approach - as well as roast chicken and other high value rewards - to make a reliable recall a habit the dog will happily execute, no matter the distractions.
To build a habit, the dog will need to go through many many successful repetitions of coming back when called, as well as be very well rewarded by a variety of pleasurable things: this can be roast chicken, or (for the ball fanatics) chasing the ball, or being sent back to play with those dogs he just left for you!
How do you get many successful repetitions? You start at home - and no, the next step is not the dog park. That's like going from Prep to High School in one year and will lead to your dog not coming back when you call him, roast chicken or not.
I pride myself on offering one of the most comprehensive recall training programs, training an "everyday" recall as well as an "emergency" recall, and carefully training each part of this important behaviour separately and in various environments.
But while roast chicken alone won't get you that perfect recall, it certainly won't hurt. Your dog will definitely love you even more for it, and come back - at least sometimes.
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