Under what circumstances are dogs not easy to recall?

During the time when people and dogs are together, the recall command is like an invisible bond that maintains safety and trust. However, when certain special situations come, this bond seems to suddenly become fragile. Those partners who are well-behaved and obedient on weekdays will instantly become "unbridled wild horses" and forget the owner's call. Exploring the circumstances under which dogs are not easy to recall is not only the key to solving behavioral puzzles, but also an important way to understand the inner world of dogs and deepen the emotional connection between humans and dogs. ​

When a strange and tempting environment appears, the difficulty of recalling a dog will rise sharply. Imagine a vast grassland, the fresh grass fragrance is wrapped with the smell left by various unknown animals, and the breeze blows gently, constantly sending these smells into the dog's nasal cavity. For dogs whose sense of smell is far more sensitive than that of humans, this is simply a grand smell carnival. Every strange smell is like a mysterious story, attracting them to explore. At this time, the owner's recall command seems insignificant in the face of these strong stimuli. For example, in a busy market, the noisy voices, the constant hawking, and the aroma of various foods, these rich sensory stimuli will completely distract the dog's attention. They are like entering a new playground, the excitement prevails, it is difficult to focus on the owner, and recall naturally becomes difficult.

Dogs in a highly excited state often find it difficult to obey the recall command. When dogs see their companions who have not seen each other for a long time, or find the toys they have been looking forward to for a long time, the excitement will instantly overwhelm them like a tide. They will run and jump frantically, immersed in the atmosphere of joy and unable to extricate themselves. At this time, the brain is dominated by excitement, the rational thinking part is suppressed, and there is no time to take care of the owner's urgent call. Just like a child who is playing to his heart's content, it is difficult to stop the game in his hand and respond to the request of adults immediately.

When faced with threats and fear, the dog's recall will also become extremely difficult. When there is a sudden loud thunder, encountering a ferocious animal, or being in an unfamiliar space that makes them feel uneasy, fear will shroud them like a shadow. In this case, the dog's first reaction is to seek safety, either desperately running away or finding a place to hide. Their attention is completely focused on how to get rid of danger, and the owner's voice becomes vague and distant under the impact of fear.

If the dog has not received systematic and scientific recall training in daily life, it is also easy to have difficulty in recall. The effective execution of the recall command needs to be based on long-term and repeated training to allow the dog to form a conditioned reflex. However, some owners lack patience during training, use inappropriate training methods, or do not give enough rewards and reinforcement, resulting in the dog's lack of understanding and memory of the recall command. When really encountering complex actual scenes, the dog cannot accurately perform the recall action. In addition, the owner's casual use of the recall command in daily life will also reduce its authority. For example, sometimes the owner just calls the dog back for a hug without giving a substantial reward; and sometimes the dog is severely reprimanded for not recalling in time. This inconsistent attitude will confuse the dog and gradually lose trust and enthusiasm for the recall command.​

During the estrus period, the dog's behavior and attention will also change significantly, and the difficulty of recalling will increase significantly. For female dogs, the special smell emitted during the estrus period will attract many male dogs to chase; and after the male dogs smell the scent of the estrus female dog, they will become restless and their minds are full of thoughts of finding a mate. At this time, the instinct of reproduction takes the lead, and everything else becomes unimportant. Whether it is delicious food or the familiar call of the owner, it cannot shake their determination to find a partner. They will run towards the object of their affection regardless of everything, as if they were cast a spell, and the owner can only chase anxiously behind. ​

Understanding the various situations in which dogs are difficult to recall is not to blame or complain, but to better understand the reasons behind their behavior. Every time a dog is "disobedient", they are conveying some information to their owner. Maybe it is curiosity about the new environment, maybe it is inner fear, or maybe it is insufficient training. When the owner is able to face these situations with an understanding and tolerant attitude, and continuously strengthen the trust and tacit understanding between each other through scientific training, patient guidance and continuous care, the bond of recall can be gradually tightened.