Typically, at the age of around 6 months, puppies should be able to respond to recall.
They should learn stay on leash and then progress to long-leash and off-leash recall at 4 to 12 months. By 6 months old your puppy should reliably respond to come on leash and long leash. By 12 months your puppy should respond to come in any on- or off-leash situation.
We are told that some breeds are untrainable or that they can never be trusted off the lead. The key is to start early see That does not mean that you cannot correct recall problems later in life, but it is always best to train early so the problem never occurs.
6 Months - 1 Year Old
Your puppy should know all of their basic commands and have a solid foundation of potty training, crate training, and socialization. From this point on, you will continue to work with your puppy to reinforce what they have already learned!
Are they able to learn to recall too? Maybe you've just adopted an older dog from a rescue or shelter, or perhaps your dog is up in years and needs some refresher training, but regardless of the circumstances, an older dog can learn new tricks. It will just take more effort, time, and commitment.
While playing fetch, as they're running back with their toy, say “come” and reward with praise and another toss of their toy. Any time your dog is walking or running towards you, say “come” and reward when they get to you! You can use real-life rewards like play, praise, cuddles, or toys mixed in with training treats.
Let them move away from you before using your recall cue, and use a long line attached to their harness to keep them safe during training. If they ignore you, stay calm – getting angry or shouting will make them not want to come back to you.
The adolescent period typically begins around six months of age, and will be over when a dog reaches physical maturity around two to three years old. The most pronounced behavioral issues will be noticed between six to 12 months old.
Like humans, dogs go through a rebellious “teenager” phase (around 5 months to 18 months).
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
The key to this training is to stay positive and make sure that the prospect of returning to you is always appealing for your dog. If they associate the recall with their lead going back on and the fun ending, or if you become visibly frustrated at them for ignoring you, they understandably won't want to come back.
You need an incentive to encourage your dog to come back - a really tasty treat or a fun game with a toy. Show your dog the toy or food. Run away a couple of paces then call your dog's name and say "come" in a friendly, exciting tone - getting down low can also encourage them to come back.
A dog's ability to turn away from distractions (in favor of running back to you) will make or break the recall. When a dog is off-leash, it's especially easy to become distracted. We need to teach the dog that coming when called – leaving really interesting stuff behind – is still worth it.
"Dogs get less active with age, and that should give hope to the people who have puppies that are too active," Houpt said. "And while they become less oriented to problem-solving and novelty-seeking as they get older, they remain obedient and social, which is probably the most important thing for owners."
[4] A dog's personality is mostly shaped in the first four-months of the puppy's life and this will have a pronounced impact on the puppy that will last a lifetime. After the first 16-weeks it not realistic to think we will change the dog's temperament (pre-disposition).
As puppies age, they grow more independent, and by 6-12 months you may notice your once obedient pup is developing some unwanted behaviors. Don't worry, some simple training tips will help you both get through these growing pains.
The Labrador Retriever earned the crown as the “naughtiest” breed. Traditionally, people know this popular dog for its friendly and outgoing nature. Yet, it seems that the breed's strength and energetic spirit could sometimes steer them into less desirable behaviors.
Dogs are not robots, so there is never any guarantee that they will listen to your cue. But with a lifesaving skill like recall, we are working towards them being as consistent as possible. Having a reliable recall is especially important if you want to allow your dog off-leash outside of a fenced yard or dog park.
The reasons for this are numerous, ranging from just an age related phase, not adequate training, fear, or just simple distraction issues. The first step a frustrated owner should take is to try to assess WHY their dog is not taking a command, as the solution differs for each reason.
How long puppy recall training takes depends on your dog – they are individuals, after all! Factors like their breed also have a part to play. On average, developing a reliable recall during training can take 3 to 6 months, providing you practice most days.
Positive reward-based training teaches your dog that good things happen when he does what you ask, strengthens your bond, and provides mental stimulation that will help tire him out, making him less likely to misbehave. Try introducing a new command each week and continue to practice the old ones.
Bad Doggy Memories/Training
Do dogs remember bad experiences? They sure do! Although dogs don't have the same kind of memory as we do, they can form negative associations that we may interpret as “bad memories.” Just like the good, they recall the bad.