Dog training
This is a common frustration, Whether it’s poor recall, or feeling you can’t train your dog to listen to every day cues, this could be because there’s a breakdown in communication.
Your dog isn’t being naughty. You’re just not communicating effectively. There’s an app for that! Talkies. First, by interpreting what your dog is thinking, and then by giving you real-life, bite-size and easily implementable suggestions to help you and your dog communicate with each other better.
Communicate better with your dog
If you want your dog to listen to you, it’s a good idea to start off by listening to them. But to do that you need to speak their language. That’s where Talkies comes in.
Either input a description of what your dog is doing, or upload a video, and we’ll tell you what’s going on. And what to do about it.
"My dog won’t come back when I call him"
The best way to make sure your dog has great recall is to make sure he has a good reason to come back! This is the "Holy Grail" of dog training. A solid recall isn't just a convenient trick; it is a life-saving safety cue.
If I were standing in your living room right now, I would tell you this truth: Recall is not about obedience; it is about maths. The dog is constantly calculating the odds.
- Option 1. Chasing that squirrel (Value: £1000)
- Option 2. Returning to you for a dry biscuit - or even worse nothing at all! (Value: £1)
If the maths doesn't add up, the dog won't come. To get a "rocket recall"—where the dog spins on a dime and sprints back to you—we have to change the economy. Your dog needs to get paid for the work he does.
Here is my protocol for building a bulletproof recall.
1. Pick a "Clean" Word (The Reset Button)
Most people have "poisoned" their recall cue. They have said "Come!" when they were angry, or used "Come!" to put the dog in the bath or the crate. To the dog, "Come" now means "The fun is ending."
The Fix: Pick a new word. If "Come" is broken, switch to "Here!", "To Me", or use a specific whistle.
The Rule: This new word only predicts wonderful things. Never use it to scold or do something unpleasant.
2. Use "Jackpot" Rewards (Change the Paycheck)
You cannot pay minimum wage for a CEO-level job. Asking a dog to leave a scent or another dog is hard work for them. Make it worth their while.
Kibble is not enough. For recall training, use real meat, cheese, or hot dogs. Until you have a rock-solid recall in place.
The Jackpot: When the dog arrives, don't give one treat. Be generous. We want the dog to think, "Winning the lottery happens when I come back to my human."
3. The "Catch and Release" Rule Rule
Why do dogs stop coming when called at the park? Because they learn that recall = leash on = home time.
The Fix: Call your dog, give them a treat, grab their collar gently, and then say "Go Play!" and release them back to the fun.
The Ratio: For every 5 times you call your dog, 4 times should result in release back to play. Only 1 time is going home. This keeps the dog guessing and happy to return.
4. Play "The Name Game" (Conditioning)ning)
Before you even go outside, do this inside your house with zero distractions.
- Say your dog's Name (or the Recall Word).
- Immediately drop a treat on the floor.
- Repeat 20 times.
The Goal: The dog learns that the sound of that word is a reflex for "Food is dropping." You want a head-snap reaction.
5. The "Ping Pong" Game (make it fun!)
Recall should be a chase game where you are the prize.
- Get two people in a hallway or fenced yard.
- Person A calls the dog excitedly. When the dog arrives, huge praise and treats.
- Person B calls the dog immediately from the other side.
- The dog runs back and forth getting paid.
Behaviourist Tip: When you call your dog, run away from them. Dogs love to chase. If you stand still and loom over them, it's intimidating. If you run away, their prey drive kicks in and they want to catch you.
6. Don't Be a Nag (The "One Command" Rule)Rule)
Do not stand there yelling "Buster, Come! Buster! Come! COMMMEEE!"
Every time you repeat the command and the dog ignores you, you are training them that the word is background noise.
The Rule: Say it once. If they don't come, you have to go get them (calmly). Don't devalue your currency by repeating it.
7. The Long Line (Safety Net) Net)
Until your recall is 100%, do not let your dog off-leash in open areas. Use a 15-30 foot long line.
If you call and the dog ignores you, gently step on the line or pick it up to stop them from moving away. Guide them back to you, and reward them when they arrive.
This prevents the dog from self-rewarding by ignoring you.
The Cardinal Sin: Never Punish the Arrival. Ever.er.
This is the most important rule I can give you.
Imagine your dog escaped and ran around the neighborhood for 20 minutes. You are terrified and angry. Finally, the dog comes back to you.
If you yell at the dog now ("Bad dog! Where were you?!"), you just punished them for coming back.
The Behaviourist Way: No matter how long it took, or how naughty they were, the second that dog comes back, you throw a party. You must praise the act of return. Swallow your anger, or you will never get them back next time.
Start in your hallway today. Then the garden. Then a quiet park. Build the difficulty slowly, like lifting weights. And remember, your dog is trying their best. Work with them. You can do this!
What training does my dog need?
Talkies suggests the training your dog needs.
We analyse what you’ve shown us about your dog, whether it’s what you’ve told us about them, or via your videos, to tell you what you should focus on.
So it’s not generalised, or wasteful. It’s specific, and useful.