Have you ever seen an owner almost turning blue in the face calling and calling their dog and being totally ignored as if the puppy has gone deaf to them? They will often say something like “Oh my pup has selective hearing ha ha”

With my methods, we spend a lot of time training your pup to turn and face you when you call him and bolt back to you as if his life depends on it. These are the building blocks for my puppy school Adelaide folks, so let’s look at a few pointers.

Building a Strong Recall

One of the most important commands to teach a Border Collie is a strong recall. This not only ensures his safety but also allows for off-leash fun and exploration. It can be challenging to train a Border Collie to come when called, especially if they are easily distracted.

However, If it’s not done correctly, then you will risk building in an incorrect conditioning to your new puppy that will make coming to you on command very difficult, if not impossible. Here are some effective training techniques:

  1. Start in a quiet, low-distraction environment: Begin training in a quiet, low-distraction area such as your home or backyard. Gradually increase the level of distraction as your Border Collie becomes more consistent with the recall command.
  2. Use positive reinforcement: When your Border Collie comes to you after hearing the recall command, reward them with praise, treats, or their favorite toy. This reinforces the behavior and makes it more likely to happen again in the future.
  3. Be consistent with the command: Use the same command each time you call your Border Collie to you. This helps them understand what is expected of them.
  4. Practice, practice, practice: Repetition is key to successful recall training. Practice several times a day, gradually increasing the distance and distraction level.
  5. Avoid punishment: Never punish your Border Collie for not coming when called. This can create a negative association with the command and make it more difficult to train them in the future.
  6. Give the Puppy a Reason to Come to You: Make yourself more rewarding than whatever the pup is doing. Now this means that you will compete with the possum that has to be chased or that super interesting smell that always seems to crop up on the next tree.

Remember, building a strong recall takes time and patience. Don't expect your Border Collie to master this command overnight. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, you can train your Border Collie to come when called and enjoy the benefits of off-leash activities.

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