Sign In Register
Blog|Gift Vouchers|Newletter Sign Up
YOUR BASKETITEMS: 0/TOTAL: £0.00 
« Back

When Your Dog Does Not Come Back

12/12/2024 - Training Tips and Principles

A Reality Check for Dog Owners (and Trainers)

As dog trainers, we’re often caught in the pressure of presenting a picture-perfect image. Videos, social media posts, and training success stories can make it seem like everything is always under control. But the truth is, we’re human too. We make mistakes, we have off days, and our dogs—just like yours—sometimes have minds of their own.
 
In the spirit of transparency, let me share a recent experience where I didn’t get it right.
 
Spoiler: My dog didn’t come back when I called.

The Situation: A Recall That Didn’t Happen

I called my dog, and she didn’t come. Simple as that. Instead, she stayed exactly where she was, barking at something in the hedge that she found way more interesting than me. I called again, and she looked at me briefly before going back to what she was doing. Ultimately, I had to walk over and move her away. Oh, and did I mention I didn’t have my lead with me? So, I had to go back, get the lead, and return to collect her. She was having a grand old time.
 
Now, let’s break down why this happened.

Another Spoiler: It’s not my dog’s fault.

Why Didn’t She Come?

1. Has My Training Gone Astray?

If I’m honest, I haven’t practised recall with her for a while. Training is like any other skill—it needs to be maintained. Dogs don’t just “know” things forever. If we don’t keep refreshing and reinforcing behaviours, they can weaken over time. This one’s on me.

2. Has Reinforcement Slipped?

Dogs need a reason to come back. What’s in it for them? Is it food? Play? Praise? If I’ve been calling her and not rewarding that behaviour in some way, she’s probably thinking, “Why should I bother?” I know I haven’t been as consistent with reinforcement lately, and that’s something I need to revisit.

3. Have I Cheated Her?

My dog has a strong recall to a toy. I’ve used it many times, but lately, I’ve called her back without actually giving her the toy as a reward. That’s not fair. If you promise something, you need to deliver. It’s time to “top up” that recall by practising with the toy again—and actually following through.

4. Can She Hear or See Me Clearly?

My dog is over 9 years old now, and I’m starting to notice little signs that her hearing and sight might not be what they once were. There have been a few moments recently where I’ve wondered if she’s fully registering my cues. It’s time for a few experiments to see if this could be part of the problem.

5. Was the Distraction Too Exciting?

She was barking at something in the hedge at dusk—prime time for little creatures. For her, that’s big excitement. Let’s face it: Sometimes, the environment is just more interesting than you are. And that’s okay. It’s a reminder that we need to keep working on building value in coming back, even when the world is full of tempting distractions.

6. Was I Being Consistent?

I tried to be, but consistency is key. If my cues, expectations, or follow-through have been inconsistent, it’s no wonder she wasn’t clear on what I wanted.

We All Have Work to Do

This experience was a good reminder for me—and hopefully for you too. Training isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s about understanding that setbacks happen and that they’re part of the process. Even as trainers, we need to step back, reflect, and adjust.
 
If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, ask yourself the same questions I did:
  • Have you been practising consistently?
  • Are you reinforcing the behaviour you want?
  • Are there any factors—like age or health—that might be affecting your dog’s response?
  • Is the environment just too exciting?
  • Most importantly, are you being fair and consistent with your expectations?

One Tip to Take Away

If you want to give your dog the best chance of success with recall (or any behaviour), make it worth their while. Find what motivates your dog—whether it’s a special toy, a favourite treat, or even just enthusiastic praise—and use it. Build a strong foundation of trust and reward, and remember to keep practising regularly.

Training is a journey, not a destination. And just like us, our dogs will have good days and not-so-good days. The key is to keep learning, keep trying, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process together.
 
Now, time for me to go grab that toy and do some recall practice!
 
What about you? Have you had any training setbacks recently? Let’s share, learn, and support each other! 🐾
Top