It’s the moment we all dread, the split second you realize your beloved pet is beyond your reach.
Maybe a gate was left open, or he slipped past a friend at the front door. Whatever the reason, you’ve got to act fast.
The trainer’s number one rule, don’t chase your dog. It’s a good one. Getting them to chase you to a safe area is recommended.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to have a little insurance that could give you a slight advantage.
Like all training, preparing for such emergencies takes practice, and the more you reinforce the “return” behavior the better it will work.
There are a few variations and techniques to use but they all lead to one thing, as fast response.
Choose Your Words
You can use any word or very short phrase as long as you always use it with an upbeat tone and reward.
I personally don’t use the word “come” because I sometimes ask my dogs to “come” and all they get is praise. The same goes for using their name.
I use three words for an emergency return... “treat”, which means they are getting something, so I have their attention, and “let’s go”, which means they will get a HIGH VALUE treat if they get over here now.
High value treats are, moist, yummy and special, they are not dry biscuits, and if your dog eats raw, the bloodier the better.
Guard Your Words
Keep your return words sacred. Never speak them unless you can produce a high value treat. This is especially important during practice. Whether you’re at home or out, it’s not a bad idea to keep something with you.
Sealed Slim Jims are really handy for the car, pocket, and purse. Other goodies can be kept by the front and back door. If your dog has a pen, keep something nearby, sealed and out of reach.
*Special consideration for wolfdogs. Understand that being single event learners, wolfdogs will quickly learn the return and just as easily learn to ignore it… if the goods are not delivered every single time.
Getting Their Attention
When you practice your return words make it fun. I always start on leash. Like training to “come” they should not have a choice at first. Say your attention getting word with excitement, when they look, immediately treat. Keep the sessions short (3-5 tries) but practice several times a day.
Make Fun Runs
Start in the areas where your dog could get loose then choose a threshold for delivering the goods.
I worry my dogs will get loose in the front yard because that’s where we get into the car and it’s where I walk them at night. So, I want them to know that following me or anyone into the yard is the best thing that can happen all day.
First leave the yard, house, or pen gate open. Then lead your leashed dog out of the “safe zone”, let him sniff, or whatever, then with excitement use your phrase, “treat, let’s go” and run him into the yard. Once past the gate or threshold, reward and praise.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Think of several scenarios and exits and practice those thresholds too. At first, practice every day, you’ll know when they have the idea because they will start pulling you to the yard. That’s when I start phasing out daily practice.
But don’t stop there; reinforce it at least once or twice a week. This way they will know the result but won’t expect it every time you go out.
Share Practice
Let others who spend time with your dog use the same return command and let them practice on occasion too.
Always Keep Your Cool
Never, reprimand your dog once you get him safe inside the safety zone.
For Timid or New Dogs
Sometimes when a dog, especially wolfdogs are timid, fearful or new to your home, praise and excitement may startle them. Be sensitive to their needs. A fun run to the yard may traumatize them and do the opposite of what you want to accomplish.
A good way to inspire them is to lead them out on leash and have a big treat or meal ready inside their pen or waiting for them on the floor at the door. This way there is no bending or movement that will startle them. Then leave them alone to enjoy it.
Thankfully, my foster wolfdog never got loose, but she was always anxious to get back to her pen because I would toss a chicken leg in there before we left, so it was there when we returned.
Other Places and Tools To Use
I travel a lot with my dogs. I taught them to come to a whistle (a bear whistle, not at full blast) by playing “hide, seek, treat” with them in the house. I also often treat them as soon as they hop in the car because …why would they want to leave a “happy fun place” to be confined to a car?
These are not foolproof methods, and while rare, I’ve had success using them.
If you have tried and true methods to get your dogs back, absolutely feel free to add them to this post.
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