Monthly Training Tip – Emergency Recall

With summer in full swing, we’re definitely all spending more time outside with our dogs. Even if your dog has a rock solid recall cue, we’ve all had the “oh sh*t!” moment of realizing we left the back door open, or that our dog has taken off after a bunny with no regard for the human left holding no leash. 

Enter – the Emergency Recall. Unlike your regular “come” cue, which if you’re anything like us, your dog responds to 50-70% of the time at best, the Emergency Recall will only be reserved for true emergency situations. It will hopefully hold extra special meaning for your dog, since we’re not cueing (and your dog isn’t ignoring) it multiple times a day. 

Though we hope you will never have the opportunity to use this cue outside of training, we strongly recommend having it in your toolbox. The good news is that it’s simple to train, and your dog will probably have a blast learning it!

To train an Emergency Recall:

• Pick your Emergency Recall word. Choose a word that will be easy for you to remember, but that you do not use frequently in your everyday life, like “Bingo!”
• Pick an extra high value food reinforcer that your dog does not get to enjoy often, such as steak, cheese, or hotdogs. Remember, just like us our dogs have their own preferences, so if you’re not sure what your dog’s most preferred food is, try out the Reinforcer Buffet exercise.
• Start with 10-15 pieces of your food reinforcer cut up in a bowl, and your dog right in front of you. Say your Emergency Recall word in a clear, loud voice and then immediately give your dog a piece of food. 
• Repeat the previous step until your dog looks up in anticipation after the cue, or starts to show other signs of excitement, like wagging their tail. Then move on to the next step.
• Continue practicing at increasing levels of difficulty. Give the cue when your dog is nearby, but not engaged with you, and give a piece of food right at your feet. 
• Continue practicing so your dog reliably runs to you in response to the cue in a variety of different situations.

Bonus tip – as humans, we’re not always able to control our voice in a moment of panic. Instead of relying on yourself to give the cue in a clear, consistent tone when you’re using it in an emergency situation, practice training your recall word in a panicked voice! 

Need help getting started or proofing the cue to a more advanced level? Explore DigUp to find certified dog trainers in New York City or contact us for more tips and tricks.