An expert has shared his top tips for mastering the essential skill of any dog owner: getting the dog to come back when called.
Caring for a pet can be as challenging as it is rewarding. As they learn to follow simple instructions, such as sitting down and lying down, there’s no better feeling than creating a bond with them.
Nonetheless, one of the most difficult commands for a dog is for them to run back at their owner when called. Thanks to dog training expert Sam Hoke, who shared the life-changing advice through a TikTok video, now it might be possible. In the short video, the owner of a Labrador whose name is Mo, said: “Have you ever called your dog and they completely ignored you or ran away? There’s a cure for that.”
At first, he stated the obvious, advising to “stop calling your dog when you have nothing to offer. Think about it like this, if your friends text you every day and nine out of ten it’s to complain, how long until you stop responding?” Implying the importance of a dog’s time by obeying the owner, he revealed the secret of a successful command is to occasionally call Mo to give him a treat or simply just to praise him.
Sam continued: “This builds a positive association with coming when called. I’m building up the habit in places that matter, like the park.” However, the smart trick doesn’t work all the time, and a lot of practice has to be put into it – and the best time is when the pet is distracted.
In a demonstration, he explained: “When Mo isn’t paying attention, either Lia or I call him over but watch how we don’t move towards him. We move backwards, triggering his natural instinct to chase. And when he comes to us, boom, we reward him.” Concluding the video, Sam highlighted the importance of creating a bond between the two.
He shared: “So be the friend your dog wants to come to, the one who calls them over for treats and fun. Not the one who’s always dragging them out of the park and complaining.” The dog training expert also said the importance of repeating actions, which in Mo’s case is to have his collar touched before giving him a treat.
