What environments are best for starting recall training?
Written by
David Smith
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.One factor that will determine your success is the learning environment. Learn in enclosed spaces with minimal distractions, such as people or noise. Start small, but gradually expose your dog to more places as he learns to respond at each level. Rushing too soon into the wrong place can confuse the dog or cause him to fail.
Foundation Environments
- Quiet indoor rooms with consistent lighting
- Hallways without visual distractions
- Empty garages or basements
Intermediate Environments
- Fenced backyards during quiet times
- School playgrounds during off-hours
- Tennis courts when not in use
Advanced Environments
- Parks with visual barriers like shrubs
- Quiet neighborhood streets early morning
- Hiking trails with wide sightlines
Distraction-free indoor environments create optimal starting points. Select spaces that are free from visual and auditory distractions. Draw curtains to block visual distractions. Ensure lighting is bright enough to maintain your focus and concentration. These environments instill confidence in you, preparing you for more complex contexts.
Walled gardens present the first outdoor challenge. When working in walled gardens, hours of low activity, such as early morning, are best. Utilize fences or shrubs as visual barriers to outside distractions. Begin with short times, with the intention of increasing the length of time as your focus improves.
Tranquil sections of a park offer a managed level of slight distractions. Find a spot near trees or benches that provide a natural barrier preventing direct lines of sight. Start at a distance from the distraction, rewarding the dog liberally for staying focused.
Due to multiple stimuli, urban sidewalks are more challenging and require enhanced skills. Practice during low-traffic times and keep initial practice short while adding some reward value. Additionally, always practice with long lines until the animal responds automatically and braking is no longer necessary for distractions.
Wooded paths also require your dog's very highest reliability level. Only choose wide trails with minimal dense underbrush (where wild animals may hide), and keep a close eye on your dog; save the woods for those dogs you can trust to be reliably recalled whenever asked, in all the other places mentioned above.
Safety equipment, such as long lines and harnesses, protects during environmental progression. Always check new locations for hazards before training. Your careful environment selection builds confidence, creating reliable recall anywhere.
Read the full article: Dog Recall Training: Essential Guide
