Is using a squeaky ball for recall a bad idea?

[EinyLinky]

My dog's recall is a bit unpredictable, but he's rather good at responding to a squeaky ball 😂 is it bad to use that when we are outside? I don't want to start bad habits

I believe it's how the military train their dogs. So call him and squeak the ball. Give him the ball as a reward when he returns, but use your recall word "Come?" "Heel?" as you give him the ball. Repeat many times, so that he associates recall with getting the ball. Then progress onto using the word and giving him the ball without seeking it first, so that he starts to respond to the word not the squeak.

Keep the ball only for recall training and reward. Get him something else for other times.

Finally use the word but don't give the ball every time, reward in another way, so that you aren't completely tied to that ball forever.

Squeeking it first, not squeezing it . . .

Not at all. I’d not recommend it in a training class as it can be very distracting but out and about go for it. Recall is more about them wanting to be with you though so I’d probably look more at focus games in low distraction environments and building up alongside an audible source.

Go for it! I use the squeakers from toys that my dog has disemboweled, so far it’s working well! Have a high-value treat for him when he comes (cocktail sausages cut up and frozen, no need to thaw, are working here at the moment!

It's absolutely fine! In fact, it's probably better than a vocal command as it doesn't vary depending on your mood etc.

Fantastic, thank you!

I use it for mine - 3 short squeaks is his cue to differentiate between any other noise going on.

A squeaky balls pulls my older dog off almost anything, including a running rabbit. It's a fantastic emergency recall - usually a whistle does the job.