What if the dog can't come back from outside

On a sunny day, taking a dog for a walk outside should be a time full of joy and warmth. The dog runs merrily on the grass, smells the fragrance of the soil, flowers and plants, and freely releases its nature. However, sometimes an anxious scene may occur: once the dog runs far away, no matter how we call it, it turns a deaf ear and shows no sign of coming back at all. Facing such a situation, the owner's heart is often filled with worry and helplessness. On the one hand, they are worried that the dog will encounter danger, and on the other hand, they are confused about the dog's disobedience. So, what exactly should we do when a dog doesn't come back when called outside?

There are various reasons why a dog doesn't come back when called. From the perspective of its nature, as an animal with a hunting instinct, a dog is easily attracted by the new things around it when facing a vast space and rich stimuli outdoors. For example, a small bird suddenly flying by or a small insect appearing on the roadside may instantly arouse the dog's curiosity and the desire to chase, making them completely immersed in the joy of exploration and forgetting the owner's call. This instinctive reaction is ingrained in the dog's genes, especially for some hound breeds such as Beagles and Greyhounds, whose hunting instincts are even stronger, and they are more difficult to recall when outdoors.

Insufficient training is also a common reason why a dog doesn't come back when called. Dogs don't naturally know that they should come back immediately when they hear their owner's call. This requires the owner to conduct systematic and continuous training. If the owner doesn't give enough recall training when the dog is young, or the training method is inappropriate, it is difficult for the dog to form a conditioned reflex to the recall command. Some owners, during training, just simply call the dog's name a few times without matching it with a corresponding reward mechanism. In this way, it is very difficult for the dog to associate the owner's call with a positive outcome. Over time, the dog will not take the owner's call seriously and naturally won't come back when called.

There is also a situation where the dog may have had an unpleasant experience during previous recall processes. For example, when the dog is called back, the owner severely scolds it because it got its body dirty or was naughty outside. This will make the dog associate being called back with punishment, thus generating a resistant emotion. The next time it hears the owner's call, the dog will be afraid of being criticized again after coming back, so it chooses to stay outside and refuses to obey the call.

When we find that the dog doesn't come back when called, the first thing is to stay calm. Shouting anxiously or chasing the dog loudly will often only make the dog more excited and run even farther. We can try to use some sounds that the dog is familiar with and likes to attract its attention, such as shaking a container filled with snacks to make a crisp sound. Most dogs have a strong interest in food, and this sound may make them temporarily put aside what they are doing and turn to look at the owner. If the dog reacts after hearing the sound, even if it just pauses for a moment, we should give encouragement in a timely manner, such as gently calling its name and shaking the container again, so that the dog understands that there will be delicious rewards for coming back to the owner.

In daily training, it is crucial to establish an effective recall command. Choose a simple, clear and easy-to-remember word as the recall command, such as "Come back" or "Come here". Every time during training, first let the dog be in a relatively free state, then give the recall command, and at the same time, match it with a gesture, such as waving towards yourself. If the dog runs towards you after hearing the command, immediately give it a reward. The reward can be delicious snacks, enthusiastic praise or gentle strokes. Through such repeated training, let the dog gradually form a conditioned reflex that running back when hearing the recall command will result in a reward. The training environment should be from simple to complex. At the beginning, it can be carried out indoors in a quiet place with not too many distractions. When the dog can skillfully obey the command, gradually transition to an outdoor environment. When training outdoors, start from a corner of the park with fewer distractions. As the dog's ability improves, conduct training in places with more people and other animals.

In order to enhance the dog's emphasis on the recall command, some auxiliary tools can also be used. For example, use a long leash. When the dog goes out, let out a certain length of the leash to give the dog some room to move, but still within a controllable range. After giving the recall command, if the dog doesn't respond, the owner can gently pull the leash to guide the dog back and emphasize the recall command again at the same time. This can not only make the dog understand the owner's request but also won't make it feel too forced. In addition, some intelligent pet positioning devices can also play a role when the dog doesn't come back when called. Through the mobile phone APP, the owner can know the dog's position in real time. Even if the dog runs far away, the owner can quickly find it and avoid the dog getting lost.

In addition to training and using tools, it is also very important to establish a deep emotional connection with the dog. Dogs are very emotional animals. When there is an intimate relationship between them and the owner, they are more willing to obey the owner's commands. Usually, spend more time with the dog, play and interact with it, and give it enough love and care. In daily life, through eye contact, gentle strokes and other means, let the dog feel the owner's love and trust. When the dog is playing outside, because of its dependence and love for the owner, it will be more willing to come back to the owner.

A dog not coming back when called outside is a problem that troubles many owners. However, as long as we understand the reasons behind it, adopt scientific and patient training methods, and pay attention to the cultivation of the emotion between us and the dog, we will definitely be able to improve this situation. Every successful recall of the dog is a strengthening of the emotional connection between us and the dog, and also a manifestation of our responsibility as owners for the dog. Let us use love and patience to guide the dog to become an obedient and well-behaved companion and enjoy the beautiful outdoor time together.