How good is your recall?

As an instructor, I harp on how important a solid recall is, how it just may save your dog’s life one day. As a busy dog owner, I too struggle to find the time and motivation to really proof that recall. It is hard to comprehend that your dog’s life could be on the line. I convince myself that my dogs would “know” I was calling them away from a dangerous situation, should the occasion ever arise. But the reality is, I am kidding myself. My dogs have better than average recalls, especially my older dog, Luey, but they are not good enough. Luey has shown me on a couple of occasions recently, that we need to proof the recall.
The first incident, he was not on a leash because we were going to the car from the house. It never crossed my mind to leash him. He saw a dog across the street he wanted to see and he took off, ignoring my calls completely. Since then, I have been more careful to have him on a leash and pay more attention to what is outside the garage. That practice could not help me in the next situation though.
We have a small park in the back of our neighborhood where the dogs run all the time. There is a retention pond at the back of the park that is full of water this time of year and surrounded by woods. Between the many conservation areas in the neighborhood and the woods, snakes are not an uncommon site. We have even had a couple of alligators removed. We do not let the dogs wander into the conservation areas, nor are they allowed in the retention ponds.
We walked to the park one hot, record breaking afternoon, and apparently Luey was just plain over the heat. He bee-lined to the pond and started swimming around, having a good ol’ time. Of course, monkey see, monkey do, Bailey was in right behind him. It really was only 20 seconds or so before they finally came to me and no harm was done, but it was a long 20 seconds. Enough time a snake could have bitten or whatever else could have happen that I do not even know about. Even though my husband laughed as I told him the story, I was fuming. Maybe partly because they had just gotten a bath the night before. That will teach me!
So I am now dedicated to proofing recalls, going back to the beginning, being sure I have a solid foundation and practice, practice, practice. As a visual person, I do not prefer reading and writing “how to train a dog”. I like to see a behavior, I like to show a behavior. But there are a few key points in recalls that can easily be expressed.
1. Never call a dog to a negative situation. Do not call your dog to "come" to scold or to something they do not like, such as a bath or nail trim. Find another way to lure your dog to the desired location.
2. If you are unsure that your dog will come, do not call until you have a way to enforce it. Have your dog on a long lead where you can bring the dog to you before you call or be close by so you can reach out to your dog.
3. When the dog comes, it is a Party! Have high value treats and/or a toy. This is motivation for the dog to come the next time he is called.
Finally, practice calling your dog away from fun situations, such as playing with another dog and then letting him return. If you only call your dog away from fun when it is time to go, he will associate the call with the end of fun time and not want to come.
This is by no means an all inclusive list, simply important tips to remember. Please share additional tips that you may have.