This webpage contains a description of the following -
Summary of Recall
Aims
Equipment needed
Recall Starters Level
Recall Bronze Level
Recall Silver Level
Recall Platinum level
What the Handler learns
What the dog learns
see Before Each Training Session Begins
SUMMARY -
In Recall the dog learns to run to its Handler from a distance of approximately 50ft/15m. There are no "sits", "downs", "stays", "waits", etc in any of these Dog Games.
AIMS - this is the first and most important Game that a dog and Handler can play together not only for safety reasons (see Precious' Story) in everyday life. It is a simple but effective way of having fun with your dog in a positive and constructive way. The Handler learns how important the reward is to the dog whether it is food or a toy etc. One of the fundamental requirements of allowing a dog freedom off the lead is that it returns to its handler when called.
In Dog Games training we continually repeat some of the most simple instructions and ideas to instill them in the Handlers so that it becomes second nature to them.
EQUIPMENT -
netted training area
comfortable harness and lead
treat box or motivator
Within the netted area of training Lane A, the dog should wear a comfortable harness so that it will be comfortable when held before being released. Being held by its collar will put pressure on its throat and would be uncomfortable for the dog. Time and patience is also required as well as observing the dog's behaviour and body posture and language.
The Trainer holds the dog by its harness and releases it as soon as the Handler calls the dog's name. This is called a restrained recall. This pressure exerted by the dog pulling to get toits Handler will tell the Trainer about the Handler's relationship with their dog. Does this need to be worked on?
The dog quickly learns
that it will be given a high value reward by its Handler if it runs quickly to him
to transfer this knowledge to its everyday life as the Handler consistently gives the same triggers - both in body movement and vocally.
This Game helps the dog to associate running back to its Handler with being given something it really enjoys - its motivator. If this motivator is then used in other situations (such as when called into the house; out on walks etc) so that the dog is rewarded each time it returns, the dog will choose to come consistently back to its handler.
see Before Each Training Session Begins
AIMS - from a restrained recall,
the Trainer looks to see how the Handler MOTIVATES the dog to come to them
the dog learns to RETURN to its Handler over a distance
STARTERS 1 - training session number 1
This is the dog's first experience of doing this Game. At the Starters level we are looking for 3 successful runs out of 3 as the dog and the Handler are "Learning the Game".
First Run
With the Trainer holding the dog on a harness at the Box end (the closed end) of Lane A (Primary training lane), the Handler calmly walks away to about half way down the Lane away from the Trainer who is holding the dog. The Trainer is expecting the dog to pull against this restraint to get to their Handler, feeling for the mood of the dog through this pulling. Having prepared the Treat Box/motivator, the Handler turns, gives eye contact to the dog and calls him.
Having successfully run to the Handler (towards the gate end), the dog gets lots of praise and treats/motivator. Here, the Trainer gets a good feel of the relationship between Handler and dog. The Trainer calmly walks to the Handler and discusses the success or otherwise of this first part of the exercise. The Handler puts the dog back on the lead and all three calmly walk back to the Box end of the Lane to repeat this exercise.
Second Run
Again, with the Trainer holding the dog on a harness at the Box end of Lane A, the Handler calmly walks three-quarters of the way down the Lane, away from the Trainer who is holding the dog, prepares the Treat Box with one or two treats and, when ready, turns and calls the dog. Again, the Trainer feels for the restraint and what this is telling about the dog. Again, the dog has successfully run back to the Handler and received his treats and praise. Again, the Trainer calmly walks to the Handler and discusses the success or otherwise of this latest part of the exercise. The Handler puts the dog back on the lead and all three calmly walk back to the Box end of the Lane to repeat this exercise.
Third Run
Again, with the Trainer holding the dog on a harness at the Box end of Lane A, the Handler calmly walks to the far end of the Lane, away fro the Trainer who is holding the dog, prepares the Treat Box with more than one or two treats (a Jackpot) and, when ready, turns and calls the dog again. Again, the Trainer feels for the restraint and what this is telling about the dog. Having successfully run back to the Handler and received his Jackpot and praise, the Handler puts the dog back on the lead. The Game is finished and all three calmly walk back to the car to put the dog away to rest so that the lessons learnt will slowly sink deeper into his brain and memory (Latent Learning).
Having completed these 3 successful Recall runs out of 3, the Aims of Recall Starters have been achieved and the Game finishes. The dog is rewarded, given a drink and returned to the car so that the lessons learnt will slowly sink deeper into his brain and memory (Latent Learning/ Memory).
The Handler would have awarded a 3-tiered Rosette (red outer, yellow middle, white inner) on having completed this stage.
If there are any lessons for the Trainer to learn and pass on to the other Trainers about this dog/relationship, the dog's training record is where this should be recorded.
In Dog Games training we continually repeat some of the most simple instructions and ideas to instill them in the Handlers so that it becomes second nature to them. As Trainers we are doing this several times with the different dogs in a training session. But a Handler goes home and returns, maybe, a week later and has forgotten some of what was said in the previous training session. So, with no apology, in Dog Games training we continually repeat some of the most simple instructions and ideas to instill them in the Handlers so that it becomes second nature to them, over time.
see Before Each Training Session Begins
AIMS - from a restrained recall,
the Trainer looks to see how the Handler MOTIVATES the dog to come to them
the dog learns to RETURN to its Handler
and CONSISTENTLY over a distance
BRONZE Certificate 1
The dog learns to do the same Recall exercise but to be more consistent and to achieve 5 successful runs out of 5.
With no other dogs around and still in the same training Lane (A) and running in the same direction towards the gate end, the same procedure is followed as above. Having completed these 5 runs, the Game is finished and calmly the dog is walked back to the car to rest so that the lessons learnt will slowly sink deeper into his brain and memory (Latent Learning). The Handler has achieved Recall Bronze Level 1 Certificate.
BRONZE Certificate 2
At the next session, again with no other dogs around and also in the same training Lane, BUT RUNNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION towards the closed end, the same procedure is followed.
Having completed 5 successful runs, the dog is rewarded and returned to the car. The Handler has achieved Recall Bronze Level 2 Certificate. BECAUSE of the change in direction, the dog may struggle initially. This may well be caused by the "scent geography" of the Lane.
BRONZE Certificate 3
With no other dogs around and also in the same Lane, AGAIN REVERSE DIRECTION of running BACK TO THE ORIGINAL towards the gate end. The same procedure is followed. With the change in direction, again the dog may struggle initially, which may well be caused by the "scent geography" of the Lane.
Having completed 5 successful Recall runs, the Game is finished and the dog is rewarded and calmly walked back to the car to rest so that the lessons learnt will slowly sink deeper into his brain and memory (Latent Learning). The Handler has achieved Recall Bronze and would have been awarded a 3-tiered Rosette (red outer, yellow middle, bronze inner) on having completed this stage.
If there are any lessons for the Trainer to learn and pass on to the other Trainers about this dog/relationship, the dog's training record is where this should be recorded.
see Before Each Training Session Begins
At the Silver level of any Game, plastic netting should be used between lanes for the safety for both dogs.
AIMS - from a restrained recall,
the Trainer looks to see how the Handler MOTIVATES the dog to come to them
the dog learns to RETURN to its Handler
and CONSISTENTLY over a distance
with the DISTRACTION of another dog close by
At Silver Level, it is IMPERATIVE that both dogs in their respective Lanes are allowed to Read the Newspaper. The Trainer in each Lane should watch the dog in their Lane to see the reaction of their dog to the presence of the other dog and the movement in the other Lane.
Do the dogs notice each other?
What is the reaction of each dog to the other?
If one of the dogs is becoming over excited, why?
Can these 2 dogs work together?
Do you need to change the distraction dog?
For the benefit of each dog, the sitution needs to be managed.
SILVER Certificate 1
A decision needs to be made by the Trainer but in discussion with the Handler. Silver level requires another dog to be under training (or otherwise) at the same time BUT in another Lane and running in the SAME direction.
should our dog run in Lane A where it has done its previous training & another dog in Lane C? OR
should our dog run in Lane C which it is new to and also with the added distraction of another but "experienced" dog in Lane A?
Which would be most beneficial to our dog without pushing him too hard? In a new environment (different Lane), the dog may struggle; also with the movement and distraction of another dog nearby (but not close). If the dog is struggling, take a break. There is no rush. Try each run and see how the dog copes. If he is struggling, go back one step, reward him and then the Game is finished. Put him back in the car, taking care to avoid any other dogs. This is classed only as training as the objective was not achieved.
Having completed 5 successful runs, the dog is rewarded and returned to the car and the Handler is awarded Recall SIlver Certificate 1. Make a note on the dog's training record the name of the distracting dog because this may prove useful later.
SILVER Certificate 2
Again, a similar decision needs to be made. Silver level requires another dog in another Lane at the same time. The running direction is again switched for the dog but both dogs are still running in the same direction. Again, with the change in direction, the dog may struggle initially. Again, this may well be caused by the "scent geography" of the Lane.
Having completed 5 successful runs, the dog is returned to the car and the Handler is awarded Recall SIlver Certificate 2. Make a note on the dog's training record the name of the distracting dog because this may prove useful later.
SILVER Certificate 3
Again, a similar decision needs to be made. Silver level requires another dog to be another Lane at the same time. The running direction is again switched for the dog but both dogs are now running in opposite directions to test the focus of the dog for the AIM to be achieved.
Having completed 5 successful Recall runs, the dog is rewarded and returned to the car. The Handler has achieved Recall Silver would have been awarded a 3-tiered Rosette (red outer, yellow middle, silver inner) on having completed this stage. Make a note on the dog's training record the name of the distracting dog because this may prove useful later.
If there are any lessons for the Trainer to learn and pass on to the other Trainers about this dog/relationship, the dog's training record is where this should be recorded.
There is NO Gold level in Recall but you could create one if you want
At this level, we are looking to GENERALISE our training so that the dog can cope with this Game ANYWHERE. The dog will now be working outside of the Lanes and, therefore, managing the situation is paramount
see Before Each Training Session Begins
AIMS - from a restrained recall,
the Trainer looks to see how the Handler MOTIVATES the dog to come to them
the dog learns to RETURN to its Handler
and CONSISTENTLY over a distance
how to play this Game anywhere (to GENERALISE this training)
PLATINUM Certificate 1
To prepare the dog for this next exercise, as usual, he is brought into one of the Lanes to relax him, let him read the newspaper, as he knows the routine now. When he is relaxed he is taken to the appropriate part of the training ground.
This first Platinum session is usually carried out in an area similar to P as indicated in the Layout of the Training Area. There are the restrictions of the netting to one side and the stock fencing/hedge on the other side but the width of this new Lane Area P is greater than the Training Lanes (A and C) so it will be a different "feel" for the dog. The dog has not worked here before.
Having completed 5 successful restrained Recall runs, the dog is rewarded and returned to the car and the Handler has achieved a Recall Platinum Certificate 1.
PLATINUM Certificate 2
Having read the newspaper, the dog is brought to an area similar to Q as indicated in the Layout of the Training Area. There are the restrictions of the netting to one side and the stock fence/hedge on the other side but the width of this new Lane Area Q is greater and one end is more open to the remaining field. Again, the dog has not worked in this area before and so it will be a different "feel" for the dog.
Having completed 5 successful restrained Recall runs, the dog is rewarded and returned to the car. The Handler has achieved a Recall Platinum Certificate 2.
PLATINUM Certificate 3
Having read the newspaper, the dog is brought to an area similar to R as indicated in the Layout of the Training Area, the middle of the field. There are no restrictions on any side just the open field, hence the need to manage the other dogs. Again, the dog has not worked in this area before and so it will be a different "feel" for the dog.
A little trophy was also presented which could be engraved with the dog's name, date etc.
If there are any lessons for the Trainer to learn and pass on to the other Trainers about this dog/relationship, the dog's training record is where this should be recorded.
Calmness + Confidence = Success
If the dog does the right thing, it will always be rewarded with a motivator.
If it gets it wrong (eg the dog does not return to the Handler) the motivator will be withheld. The
Handler will stand still and silent so that the dog has the opportunity to think through what has just
happened without the Handler distracting it. It will then work out what it did that particular time and
experiment by offering a different behaviour next time - most probably the correct one. It should be noted that some dogs become distressed by the Handler's silence and need the reassurance from the Handler saying something such as "oh dear!" or "try again" as a cue for the dog to offer another behaviour.
The dog is then given the opportunity to get the exercise right (and instantly rewarded) so that it does NOT become discouraged from trying to do the exercise again in the future.
the dog will be unable to assimilate what it has just been taught and will not retain it in its long term memory.
This web site has been written by Sally Hopkins (unless the author of the web page is stated otherwise).
Dog-Games Copyright 2004 - 2015 All Rights Reserved