This post may contain affiliate marketing links for products my pets and I adore. You won’t ever be charged a fee for shopping via my affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through my affiliate links. I'll most likely use that commission to spoil my own pets or the Living Creatures Ministry Therapy animals. 🐾 Learn more.
Holiday Pet Training 2022: Recall
As the holidays get closer and closer, it’s time to start preparing our pets (and ourselves!) for the season! The hectic days full of parties and visitors can often make life with pets difficult over the holidays, but some training, tips, and treats should help to make the holiday season more enjoyable for you and your pet. In this series we’ll cover some training that can help both you and your pet now and throughout the holiday season.
Training
Training is, and always will be, a lifelong process for our pets, so it’s best to start practicing holiday commands and manners as soon as possible. Waiting until the day before your big holiday party to begin training will just leave you and your pet frustrated. Begin practicing this training concept today to get ready in time for the holidays:
Recall
Whether your family lets your pet out in the yard with the gate open or your pet thinks it would be a good idea to chase one of the children running past them, recall can come in very handy over the holidays! Recall is also one of the skills your pet will likely need to practice the most. You can easily practice a little bit of recall each day by having your pet hold a stay on one side of the room and calling them to you before they eat their meal each day. Save “Come”, (or whatever verbal cue you choose for recall), for the times when you are 95% your pet will actually come back to you.
Just like with place, you’ll want to proof this command by slowly increasing distraction while keeping your end goal in mind. Hoping to call your pet back even if they manage to slip outside past your family? Practice recall on leash near doors and gates. Take your pet out to pet-friendly areas and practice recall on leash in a variety of places and around a variety of people and animals.
Want to keep your pet from chasing your younger relatives? Think about the actions and sounds children make that adults don’t usually do. Enlist an adult friend or family member to act like a child by running, moving suddenly, or yelling and call your pet away from all the activity. (Don’t forget to always advocate for your pet around children! It’s up to you to ensure that anyone and everyone properly interacts with -- or even ignores -- your pet.)