Pro Tips To Recall Mastery (Part 1)

Join the free 3-day event Duck! Duck! Goose! Recall Bootcamp! here: ADOPT THAT MONSTER BOOTCAMP & WORKBOOK! and gain instant access to the complimentary Recall Reflection Workbook here:This isn't your average workbook; it's your essential guide to pre-bootcamp preparation, crafted to pave your way to recall mastery.

Do you dream of a world where your canine companion comes running at the mere sound of your voice? Welcome to " Pro Tips To Recall Mastery," a game-changing series on the Adopt That Monster podcast that turns that dream into your new reality.

Host Julia and her muse, Kona, pull back the curtain on mastering the art of recall. In this riveting three-part series, you'll unearth secrets that transform you into your dog's North Star—utterly irresistible and impossible to ignore. No more shouting into the void; become the Recall Whisperer your adopted dog can't help but come back to.

But the revelations don’t stop there. Get an exclusive sneak-peek into Julia's groundbreaking Duck!Duck!Goose! technique, tailor-made for the unique challenges and immense rewards of raising an adopted dog. Whether your fur-baby is the life of the party or leans towards the reactivity end of the doggy socializing spectrum—this episode is your golden ticket to flawless recall.

If this promise ignites your interest, join the free Recall Bootcamp Workshop. During this event, you’ll delve deeper into the magic that makes Duck!Duck!Goose! a foolproof method for cultivating a responsive, focused, and well-behaved dog.

Are you ready to transcend conventional dog parenting and enter a world of boundless love, trust, and reliability? Listen to this episode, and be the change you wish to see in your dog.

May your hearts remain loving and your paws forever ready for the next great adventure!

If you LOVED this podcast episode, don’t forget to hit the subscribe button.
And if you ABSOLUTELY LOVED this episode, please follow our social media accounts: we have a Facebook Page, an Instagram Account and we are also on Twitter at Adopt That Monster! We have a youtube channel and you can find all the links in the episode description below:

Facebook Page: Adopt That Monster
Instagram Page: @adoptthatmonster
Twitter Page: @AdoptThtMonster
Youtube Channel: @AdoptThatMonster

We intend to bring you valuable content that will support you and your dog blossom and thrive as a team on your bonding journey. Remember, here we go beyond adoption, into connection!
Thank you for listening to the Adopt That Monster podcast! And thank you for being committed to up-leveling the relationship you have with your dog by becoming the best version of your Hooman self.

Thank you for listening!

Transcript

PRO TIPS TO RECALL MASTERY (PART 1)


Hi there, and Welcome to the Adopt That Monster Podcast! I'm Julia and for over half a decade now, I've journeyed through the intricate maze of canine neuroscience, delved deep into dog training styles and ethics, and found my guiding light by studying and observing dog behavior.

"Woof!"

And That's Kona, my adopted monster from a Romanian shelter. She was a bundle of reactivity from the very first moment, and she unleashed many storms of emotions when we started our journey together. But she isn't just MY RESCUED DOG... she was and continues to be my Muse, my mentor, the heartbeat behind every lesson I've learned about understanding and nurturing adopted dogs.

Here you're MOST DEFINITELY NOT tuning in for just another pet show; you're stepping into a world where we take dog adoption to the next level. We're not just talking about bringing a pup home; we're talking about a lifelong journey of understanding, connecting, and loving. Yes, we geek out on canine behavior and research findings like no one's business, but that's because we’re committed to tackling the two issues most guardians of adopted dogs face: recall and reactivity. 

So, if you’ve ever found yourself calling out for your monster while he’s sprinting in the opposite direction, or if you’ve felt that knot in your stomach when another dog walks by and yours just can’t seem to keep calm—we've got you! With insights grounded in scientific research and dog training expertize, this is the place to arm yourself with the knowledge and practical techniques to master the art of recall and manage reactivity like a pro.

So why listen in? Because at Adopt That Monster, we're all about turning guardians into dog whisperers and adopted pups into forever companions. Every episode is a treasure chest of actionable tips and techniques designed to go beyond adoption—right into the heart of true connection. So gear up for a ride that’s not just informative but truly transformative!

Stick with us and you won't just adopt that monster, you'll nurture it, bond with it, and unlock a level of LOVE & companionship you never thought possible. Stay tuned!

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Hello, beautiful souls! Welcome to another episode of the Adopt That Monster podcast. I’m Julia, your host, and I’ve got a real treat for you today. While I know I teased talking about the three pillars of a strong dog-human bond, I've had a change of heart—or rather, a moment of inspiration! The Muse of Podcasts struck again!

Today, and for the next two episodes, we're diving into the command that’s on every dog parent's lips and wish-list: THE RECALL. That's right, I’m dedicating a three-part series to help you not just understand but MASTER the art of recall, turning common mistakes into golden learning opportunities.

Have you ever found yourself screaming your lungs out urging your dog to come back to you, feigning a happy face and tone of voice while you're boiling with frustration on the inside? Say no more! It’s time to level up and become THE RECALL WHISPERER. 

Let’s get started on this journey of revelation together! No more facepalms, no more "oops" moments. Our mission? TO TURN YOU INTO the most irresistible, most captivating human in your dog's world, guaranteeing that he come running back every single time you call. 

As a little teaser, mark your calendars: on the 29th of August, I’m hosting a **Recall Bootcamp Workshop** that you won’t want to miss. This workshop is entirely free and tailored specifically for those who are ready to achieve that flawless recall. We're focusing on our adopted pups here, whether they're social butterflies or a bit more reserved and reactive—like my Kona.

During the workshop, I'll be unveiling my infallible *duck!duck!goose!* technique. This is my unique spin on the classic 1-2-3 pattern game and let me tell you, it’s PURE recall gold. It’s perfect for adopted dogs, designed to work whether your fluff is the life of the dog park party or prefers a quieter lifestyle and is reactive.

Now, if you’re as excited as I am and just can’t wait, grab the **Recall Reflection Workbook** that I've put together just for you. This workbook is your stepping stone to the bootcamp, helping you prepare for the transformation that’s about to happen in your life and your dog’s life. The download link is right in the episode description, so don’t miss out!

Let's make this journey enlightening and enriching for both you and your fur-baby. Are you ready? Let's dive in!

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Recall Mastery Tip No 1: START BY BUILDING A STRONG TRAINING FOUNDATION!

Establishing a strong foundation is the cornerstone of any thriving relationship, and the relationship you have with your adopted dog is no exception. And just to clarify: at Adopt That Monster we don’t think of dog training in terms of getting the dog to do what you want them to do, we tackle dog training as a BONDING OPPORTUNITY! And bonding should always be fun, playful, and delicious! 

When starting with dog training and implicitly recall training, it's easy to assume that one can dive right into complex commands, especially when excited about allowing your dog to explore on their own. As adopted dog parents, we always have this in the back of our minds this image of how our dogs were confined for a period of their life (some shorter, some longer), to a small pen that they had to share with other dogs. So it is natural that our love for them backs up our desire to give them freedom to explore and smell all the smells, and do zoomies without limitation of space. And pee and poop wherever they fancy and so on. And I applaud you for those loving and caring intentions!

However, this approach of too much freedom, too soon can inadvertently set the stage for confusion for your dog and frustration for you when you are being ignored. Imagine trying to read a novel without knowing the alphabet or only some of the letters of the alphabet; the result would be A CONFUSING MESS. 

Similarly, expecting a dog, especially one with an unknown past, to respond to advanced commands without mastering the basics of safe behavior and dog-human interaction is a recipe for inconsistency. There is a reason why dog trainers warn that the hardest thing to get in dog training is: the recall. And that is because before getting to the recall you need the foundation. Just like if you got into lifting weights, you start with the 1kg, 2 kg and in a year or two you get to lifting 100kg. 

Recall is rooted in trust and connection. For adopted dogs, trust can be a fragile thing. If they were faced with unpredictability in their past, then the basics can serve as a reassurance, a routine they can rely on amidst their new surroundings. Foundational commands become touch points of understanding, guiding them through the complexities of their new world, and MOST IMPORTANTLY creating the habit of checking in with you regularly.

Another overlooked aspect of skipping basics is the missed opportunity for bonding and getting to know each other. Those initial days of training, where you and your dog navigate the fundamentals like sit, and down, are precious moments of mutually getting to know each other, and  gain a clear understanding on both sides of what the expectations are when you interact. So during those moments, days when you start training, pay close attention to your dog, because even if you might think sit is a truly useless command or just the basic quote unquote unimportant stuff, how your dog behaves and treats the learning experience, will be a great opportunity for you to learn about your dog's temperament, their quirks, and their unique way of comprehending commands, how patient they are, for how long they can focus on you and so on.

So, as tempting as it may be to fast-track the process, remember that a sturdy house is built on a strong foundation. Don't deprive yourself and your dog of the benefits of starting from the beginning. 

I highly recommend that for the first year of life with your adopted dog, you always keep them on leash. You may practice the basics of recall on a long leash. But the leash stays on for AT LEAST one year. 

And listen, if you are years into your adoption, but your recall is still lacking that high response rate. There is NO SHAME in going back to the basics. Safety comes first, freedom second. What we want is our dogs to be SAFE, and if that means putting back the leash on: then do that! 

The basics are the pillars that provide a frame of consistent interaction between you and the dog. They're meant to create stability, and serve as touchstones of reassurance and connection in every environment you and your dog step in. 

A missed recall, is a great opportunity to take the time to revisit the basics periodically and ensure that the foundation remains strong. It's an opportunity to refresh, recalibrate, and reinforce the bond and the understanding between you and your dog.

Moving on to Recall Mastery Tip #2: MAKE IT DELICIOUS! MOUTH WATERING! SCRUMPTIOUS! SAVORY DELICIOUS!

Oh MAN! I hear this so often: My dog is not food motivated! If I had a penny, for every time I heard a dog guardian saying that to me, well let’s just say I’d be able to sponsor many dogs in shelters… that is how much money I would have! That is MY DREAM of spending huge amounts of money: supporting dogs in shelters!

There is a research proved explanation why holding a treat (any treat) in your hand while yelling that recall word, will not work! And I will be talking all about that in the Duck!Duck!Goose! Recall Bootcamp. Check the episode description for the sign up link if you want to attend this FREE 5 Days Recall Bootcamp. And side-note: the GOAL of the recall bootcamp is to teach you how to recall your dog without treats! Wouldn’t you like to know how to do that? 

But going back to Recall Mastery Tip no 2 and why the food is not working its magic. There are two questions that you need to ask yourself: Is food not working in general or just for recall? And the second one: is it because your dog is not food motivated or is it because you are not using food that is motivating enough? 

And this is something that I see very often with guardians of adopted dogs: they go for the bagged treats. Now I was faced with the same conundrum when I adopted Kona. And got the soft (Not to mention expensive) treats at the pet shop. And Kona would just spit out every single piece of it. In my face, Landing on the pavement, turning my frustration barometer up. Here was this adopted dog, coming from a shelter, where she had like the cheapest food on the market (dog shelter managers are angels and do their best with the finances available to them, so this is not about judging what happens in shelters), but here was I holding the 5 eur a bag treats in my hand, and the dog! Disrespectful dog! Would just spit it out!

And you know… it got me thinking… would I consider something that stayed in a bag for years, that was basically unrecognizable in content, and that smelled pretty funky - would I consider that tasty and delicious???

Nope! I would not! Add to that the fact that your dog’s smell is thousand times better than yours, you can imagine how much information they collect from sniffing the plastic treats… and that information tells them: don’t eat that shit!

So when I got the goat meat out of the fridge and in front of the dog. This is what I had at the time. Funny enough: my mum had send me goat stake on the same transport Kona came to me. So I used that meat, and Kona just came towards me. And this was the very early stages of our life together. So I basically used food to get Kona to approach me, to interact with me, to come out from underneath the bed where she was hiding because she was confused and scared like most dogs in the first days after getting adopted.  

Take your dog on a culinary exploration and find out what is it that they LOVE to eat. What triggers the ears up and attentive, the expectant tail wagging, eyes watching you like a hawk reaction??? AND that is the food that your dog will work for. Your dog loves working for food. It is how dogs have been wired  genetically, especially if you have a mutt from Eastern Europe. They were bred to be working dogs, be it to guard the yard from human and animal intruders, or be it to herd the flock. 

One way or another, food always came after a hard day of work! So doing stuff for food, be it a sit, a down or even the elusive recall, your dog wants to work for it. But just like you would not go into the office and work 8 hours a day for monopoly money, neither will your dog work for fake, plastic food.

Now disclaimer! I have to say this: nutrition in dogs is a highly debated topic. Please do your own research and make your own decisions. Our veterinary doctor always nods in disappointment when I share that I feed Kona real meat. 

I am a mathematician by education and I love and thrive on applying logic to my life. And just like I would not eat chips out of a bag for the rest of my life and tell myself I am eating potatoes and that it is healthy and good cause potatoes equals veggies, why would I think that about the food I am offering my dog? Healthy food cannot and will not come out mixing colorants, flavoring chemicals and whatever else you cannot recognize when you hold your dogs kibble or treats in your hand. Healthy food cannot stay for years in a plastic bag without getting moldy. 

Therefore I am making the choice of feeding my dog real food. 

In Kona’s case: she only likes meat. The occasional piece of fresh cheese and sometimes she loves a bit of yogurt. 

So yes apply common sense and keep track of dangerous foods for your dog (even if it is real food), don’t feed your dog avocado that makes them vomit (unless it is an emergency and you need your dog to vomit, then avocado is a good idea), or chocolate which is toxic for dogs and deadly in huge amounts per kilogram of body. 

But also consider: why would my dog LOVE working and come running to me for the TREAT I am holding in my hand? Is it valuable to her? Does it taste DELICIOUS?

Recall Mastery Tip no 3: EVERY SUCCESSFUL RECALL CALLS FOR A PARTY!

I swear by making a party out of everything your dog does right. And I do not mean fake the party: I mean you gotta put your all into! Make a habit of turning each of your dog's accomplishments into a full-blown celebration. Don't just go through the motions; invest genuine enthusiasm and energy into making every 'win' a festive event your dog will never forget!

And you know?! I am not over here talking the talk. I am going to share with you how I walk the walk: I was the crazy lady who did the party when Kona, and my first dog, Tonks peed and pooped. I would jump with joy on the street. And scream excitedly. Give Kona or Tonks a good back scrub. And yes, there were people walking by looking at me, thinking I escaped the psychiatric hold. But you know what the benefits are of that joy and happy to have my dogs pee and poopy: now my dogs pee and poop on command. Not that I need them to. But when we travel and are sitting for hours on a train, or Kona has to be in her transport box for a flight, or if I have something that comes up and breaks our routine, then I can let Kona know that she needs to use this out-of-normal-peeing-hours opportunity to do all her needs. 

Real life example: during the pandemic my dad was really sick. The world was a weird place, speaking to his doctors was hard, finding out how he was doing inside a hospital was hard. Because of all the limitations he was not allowed a telephone with him so we could not contact him directly. Sometimes we would call the ambulance at 2-3 am and they would come, pick him up and take him to a hospital and depending on all the regulations given the times, places would be available to treat him at a hospital nearby, sometimes my mum and I would have to drive for 30mins to one hour to get to the hospital and wait outside for as long as needed until we would find out if he was doing better or not. My dad had heart problems. So, long story long: if we would leave at 3 am for the hospital, we would never know: would we be home by 7-8am to take Kona out for her regular morning pee walkie. So I would be taking Kona out at 3am and let her know: ok nows the time to do everything you need to do. And then I would rest easy knowing she was at home with an empty bladder. 

So that happy jumping in the middle of the street, people staring at me like I am a crazy person,  pays off! 

So get your dog used to celebrating BIG TIME EVERYTHING THEY DO RIGHT! 

Even more so when we are talking recall. At Adopt That Monster we are firm believers and practitioners of putting on the most jubilant, joyous, and utterly irresistible party that your dog will want to RSVP 'yes' to, time and time again.

Pull out all the whole arsenal of tools and tricks at your disposal: treats, toys, belly rubs—let your dog know he has made the right decision. This strengthens the cue's importance in his mind, making him more likely to come running the next time. 
You see, dogs, like humans, thrive on affirmation and reward. Make every recall a festival of treats, lavish praises, or that special toy they adore. Your enthusiastic reaction becomes a powerful, tangible incentive for your dog, associating the act of returning to you with positive emotions and rewards. 
We're not advocating a reserved, half-hearted clap; let your delight be so palpable that every stranger walking by will stop and ask if your dog just won the Canine Olympics!
A successful recall isn't merely about obedience; it's about creating a loving, trusting bond that transcends the basic guardian-dog dynamic. So remember, if you want to be the most enthralling entity in your dog's universe, turn every recall into an unforgettable party. And that's how you forge a bond that lasts a lifetime, one recall at a time!

Recall Mastery Tip no 4: RECALL & LEASHING MEAN THE START OF EVEN MORE FUN!

Warning: I am super passionate about the topic of leashing! 

With Tonks my first dog, I was not yet awakened to the power of the leash. Seriously! I am going to do a podcast episode and talk just about the leash. Or maybe a series of podcast episodes because I have been analyzing the leash, the use of the leash, the relationship my first dog Tonks had with the leash, the relations I as a Hooman have with the leash, and the relationship Kona has with the leash for years now! I have taken extensive written and mental notes on the use of the leash, the taking off of the leash, the putting on the leash… you get it by now! The LEASH is an entity in the relationship with your dog. I would even say it is something like another participant in the dog-human bond. And this participant can add on the plus to the relationship you have with your dog or it can add on the minus and severe the bond with your dog. 

And going back to our topic! It is imperative to create and act on the following mindset: recall and leashing aren't the end of fun for your four-legged friend; they're just the prelude to an even greater adventure!

I did this with my first dog, Tonks: we would go to this recreation area in Vienna, Austria, where I lived at the time. It is called the Danube Island and this is a massive strip of land on the Danube, there is no car traffic, it is a green area in the middle of the city, perfect to relax and enjoy and of course, let your dog roam free and sniff, and roll in the grass and play chase with other dogs. We lived 5 minutes away from this area so our daily walkies would go somewhere along these lines: Put the leash on, hurry to the park, take the elash off, the dog has fun with other dogs, chases birds, rolls in the grass, etc and then after 90 minutes of having fun, the leash comes on and we head home. The end!

Well it is also the end of any fruitful relationship my dog, Tonks developed with the leash. Because she knew she would only be called back to get attached to the leash and by extension, get attached to me through the leash when it was time to end the fun. 

And this was easy for me too you know?! I got to speak on the phone, or chat with another dog owner, or walk with a friend while enjoying a conversation, while the dog was getting tired around me by running wild and free. Win! Win! Win! 

WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Because Tonks had a wretched relationship with the leash and by extension she had a wretched reaction to me putting the leash on her. 

Now if this resonates with you, imagine, if you will, that each time you call your dog back to you or you clip on that leash, you're not signaling a halt to the dog’s freedom but an exciting gateway to a whole new realm of experiences. The secret lies in flipping the narrative; the act of attaching the leash to your dog’s harness shouldn't be viewed as restrictive but rather as a transition to more bonding: special, yummy treats as discussed above, pressing start on playing a game together or getting a good back scratch. This changes everything!

If you think about it, why should leashing up be synonymous with confinement? Let's transform it into an announcement for even more fun. The moment that leash clicks on, maybe it's time for a car ride to a scenic hiking trail, or perhaps it's a cue that a treat-filled puzzle toy is about to come into play. As for recall, don't just call your dog to end playtime; call them to engage in an even more thrilling activity with you. This could be anything from a game of fetch to some well deserved belly rubs. 

The takeaway? Let every recall and leash click become an 'anchor' in your dog's mind that signals not the end, but the thrilling continuation of your shared adventure. Make these moments a treasure chest of opportunities rather than a box of limitations.


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Alright, my pawsome friends, that wraps up today's enlightening episode. I hope it was enlightening! We’ve journeyed through some eye-opening ways to turn your recall challenges into winning moments. Trust me, this is just the beginning; we've got plenty more practical wisdom to share in the episodes ahead. 

Mark your calendars because come the 29th of August, you won't want to miss our Duck Duck Goose Recall Bootcamp. We're about to change the game on how you and your adopted fur-baby respond to each other, thanks to my game-changing duck!duck!goose! technique.

Now, before you go, how about some preparatory steps for our upcoming bootcamp? I invite you to download the **Recall Reflection Workbook** from our website. This isn't just any workbook; think of it as your roadmap, your primer, your gateway to mastering the recall during our bootcamp.

I’m Julia, your host, and here at Adopt That Monster, we're not just about words. We're about action, connection, and transformation. Here's to forging deeper DOG-HUMAN BONDS, one RECALL at a time. Until our next episode, keep those hearts loving and those paws adventure ready!


If you LOVED this podcast episode, don’t forget to hit the subscribe button. 

And if you ABSOLUTELY LOVED this episode, please follow our social media accounts: we have a Facebook Page, an Instagram Account and we are also on Twitter at Adopt That Monster!  We have a youtube channel, we are on amazon music and you can find all the links in the episode description below. We intend to bring you valuable content that will support you and your dog blossom  and thrive as a team on your bonding journey. Remember, here we go beyond adoption, into connection!

Thank you for listening to the Adopt That Monster podcast! And thank you for being committed to up-leveling the relationship you have with your dog by becoming the best version of your Hooman self. 

Until next time!

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Thank you for listening!