Why Your Dog Won’t Come When Called (and How to Fix It)

When your dog doesn't respond to your call, it's rarely about stubbornness or dominance. Several key factors influence whether your dog will come when called:

• Name recognition: many dogs simply haven't learned to associate their name with paying attention. Just as you wouldn't respond if someone called you by the wrong name, dogs need explicit training to understand that their name means "focus on me now."
• Reward history: dogs do what works for them. If coming when called hasn't consistently resulted in something wonderful happening, your dog has little motivation to respond. Conversely, if they've learned that coming to you ends fun activities or leads to unpleasant experiences, they'll be reluctant to respond in the future.
• Consistency issues: if you allow your dog to ignore your calls without consequence, you're teaching them that the command is optional. Using different words or inconsistent tones also makes it difficult for your dog to recognize the command.
• Environmental challenges: even well-trained dogs struggle with recall in stimulating environments. High excitement physically affects your dog's ability to process commands. Add in distractions like interesting scents or other dogs, and your pet may not respond despite knowing the command perfectly at home.

Now that we understand why dogs don't come when called, let's look at practical solutions to help your dog develop reliable recall in any situation.

Looking to strengthen your dog's recall even further? Discover how proper socialization creates a more responsive and confident companion in our comprehensive guide to introducing your dog to new experiences.

If your dog doesn't come when called, the first things you'll need are time, patience, and positive reinforcement. Dogs are very intelligent animals that can learn easily when they have the right stimuli to develop their cognitive abilities.

Here are 7 key tips to ensure your dog comes when you call:

1. Choose the ideal name for your dog:

Choosing your dog's name shouldn't be interpreted as a simple initial detail of adoption. Name selection is a fundamental aspect of raising your dog and will have a major impact on their education. You'll use your dog's name to get their attention before giving any command. Therefore, both your dog and you should feel comfortable with the chosen name, as it will be part of the bond you'll form throughout your life together.

Obviously, there's no rulebook for choosing our best friends' names. However, it's important to know some recommendations that will be useful in your daily life. For example, if you name them with words we commonly use, like "day" or "dinner," this can confuse them and make identification difficult.

On the other hand, if you choose a very long or difficult to pronounce name, you'll end up using a nickname to call your pet. For this reason, it's usually best to choose short, distinct names for your furry friend.

2. Choose one word for the recall command and always use the same one:

Before you start teaching your dog a new command, you'll need to choose a single word to designate it. Remember to always prefer a short term that facilitates your best friend's understanding, as they will need to connect this word with your request to execute it successfully.

To call your dog, you can use terms like "come," "here," or "now," for example. And remember to always use the same word when teaching them to recognize the call.

3. Teach your dog to come with rewards:

If you want your dog to come when you call, you'll have to work so that they associate the word you choose as a call ("come," "here," or "now") with the action of presenting themselves beside or in front of you. The ideal is to carry out this process when your dog is still a puppy, after starting their education.

For your dog to understand this new command, it's ideal to offer a reward each time they successfully respond to your call. Positive reinforcement is the best method to teach your best friend, prevent bad behaviors, and stimulate their learning. Rewards don't necessarily have to be treats, you can also use petting, toys, or praise. The important thing is to give your dog a reward for each task successfully executed, such as coming to you when you use the recall command.

Conversely, physical and emotional violence is counterproductive and dangerous. In a negative or humiliating situation, your best friend won't be able to develop their cognitive abilities or understand what positive behaviors you expect from them. But if you reward their good behaviors and recognize their efforts daily, you'll be stimulating their mind and improving the bond between you. And these are essential aspects for your dog's learning.

4. Never use the recall command to scold your dog:

We want to emphasize that scolding your dog is not a recommended method for their education. Scolding creates a high stress situation that provokes very negative feelings in dogs, such as fear or anxiety. If you use the recall command to express your anger and point out inappropriate behavior, your dog may associate these words with these negative feelings. And this will make it difficult for them to obey and come when they hear the call.

If you want to signal inappropriate behavior, use a simple "No" in a balanced and firm tone of voice. Additionally, your body language should also express what your words are saying. When you say a firm and direct "No," your attitude should also be to momentarily ignore them, with a serene but indifferent posture. Don't express anger or increase the stress level of this context.

This way, your best friend will understand that their behavior hasn't been well received, as it hasn't generated your approval or caught your attention in a positive way.

5. Strengthen your bond with your dog:

The bond you maintain with your dog is a key aspect of their education. Dogs obey their owners out of respect and affection, not out of fear or submission. When your best friend feels trust in you and perceives that their love is reciprocated, this very special bond provides the optimal environment and conditions for developing their cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

Therefore, take your time to create quality moments with your best friend in your free time. During the week, try to reserve at least 45 minutes for your dog; physical activity and mental stimulation will benefit both of you. Additionally, you can have fun with your pet indoors as well, offering puzzle games or teaching them some basic obedience commands.

6. Teach them to walk properly with you:

While dogs naturally learn how to walk and move, it's essential to teach them how to behave appropriately during their walks in environments outside their home. For this, in addition to properly socializing them, it will be fundamental to teach your dog to walk correctly with you, to prevent them from pulling on the leash and hurting themselves, refusing to walk, or barking excessively at other dogs.

7. Seek professional help when needed:

If you notice that your dog continues to ignore you or shows behavioral problems during walks or at home, we recommend seeking help from an expert in animal behavior or a dog trainer. These professionals can help you establish specific guidelines for educating your best friend according to their own needs and individual characteristics.

The best trainers know that timing and quality of rewards make all the difference. Discover how to perfect your reward delivery for faster, more reliable training results in our comprehensive guide.

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