Anticipating recall

[Jarose]

I still take Nina (2 years old) to obedience and she is doing very well. I believe am actually learning more than she is.:) She got her CGC in the summer and now I think we are going to try to go for some obedience titles. Being she is my first dog things are progressing slowly but surely. Anyway, her recall is awesome - she is alert and attentive and comes in eagerly with full force. The thing that is happening recently, however, is she is coming in before I give the command. She knows what to expect it seems.
So what is the best way to stop this? I am told not to acknowledge her when she does this and immediately take her back to the starting point. Any other suggestions?

[Miabella]

The best way I've found to prevent this is to put her in a stay and then set yourself up like you are going to do a recall. Walk away, and then stand facing her with your hands at your sides. Wait a few seconds and then walk back and praise her for staying. She should stop anticipating the recall if she is not asked to come everytime. If she breaks her stay, go put her back in the stay and try again. Dogs like to play us, they just have to determine how to win the game.

Another anticipation trap you should look out for is the dog finishing after the recall without being asked. I only ask my dog to finish on 1 out of 3 recalls, that way she doesn't do it automatically.

[Judi W]

Several things

Drap the leash out behind her, and without making it move, have someone take hold so that she gets a correction when she tries to bolt before being called. She'll probably be quite offended and might even not come the next time. Don't worry, you will give her a big smile and encourage her when she is called. Make sure that several times during each training session you leave, then return, then leave, return and heel a bit. In other words, she cannot predict each time you leave whether she is going to be called or not.

Also, make sure your face is neutral until you give your come command and then paste on a big smile. She will be watching your face for clues. Keep you mouth closed too until the words actually come out. (no deep breaths)

[damp]

My experience is, that dogs in the teaching phase have some kind of a “security distance” (lack of English words.) Some get insecure, when the owner moves to far away and other may think; I can do what I want. Dogs leaving the position before the recall is caused, (in my opinion) that the handler is to busy in the teaching process or to monotonous, and the only thing the dog learns is, it’s possible to break a command.

First reduce the distance you walk away from her and increase the time before the recall.

Sometimes recall her, some times walk back, sometimes walk back and pass by her, sometimes walk back and stand beside her for a minute and again walk away again (with out any command, since she is still under command.) Sometimes run. Then vary the distance and time.

In other words…small steps and make your training unpredictable.

And yes…if your dog moves just an inch, before she is told to do otherwise, take her back to the same spot and replace the command and her.

As already suggested it’s good idea to have friend telling you, what she is doing while you turn your back towards her and also to help with correcting her.