Why Fire Drills?

I've been partaking in fire drills since I was in grade school up to last year when I worked full-time in an office building.  These drills were almost always a surprise to simulate what it would be like if there were an actual fire.  In school and at the office they timed us.  They wanted to know how quickly we could exit during the drill and provide feedback on how we could improve the next time.  Have I ever been in a building that was really on fire?  No.  So why keep on practicing fire drills?

This thought came to me as I was walking 2 of my dogs.  I'm regularly practicing recall while out on our walks in different places while on leash, at the dog park, in the house and at the dog training facility.  The skill of coming when called, to me, is the most important behavior of all.  Let me say that again.  The skill of coming when called, to me, is the most important behavior of ALL.  

To me it's a life or death skill.  It could mean your dog crossing a busy street or coming back safely to you.  It could mean getting in a dog fight at a busy dog park or coming to you and staying out of trouble.  It's not about IF your dog will get away from you, but WHEN.  They will sneak out the door, slip their collar or exit the car before leashed up.  If you have a dog, it will more than likely happen to you, if it hasn't already and could happen again.

This has happened to me recently and it really got my blood pumping.  Out on a walk with friends and their dogs at a nice park my dog Curly got away from me.  I'm not exactly sure what happened, but the leash was out of my hand and he was running at full throttle away from me.  Inside I was freaking out!!  A young person in the group started running after him not realizing that a dog can consider this scary or fun (depending on the dog) and isn't a reliable way to get the dog back.  Once she stopped running after him and I got Curly's attention I recalled him "Curly, come!" he shot back to me.  I picked up his leash, paid him a few treats, told him how awesome he was and kept walking.  Whew!  

Why was he so good at coming back quickly?  I'd practiced with him often.  The practice was always fun.  It was also very rewarding.  As I always encourage students to do.  You never ever want to punish a dog for coming back.  They should always see coming back to you as a really great game that pays well.  

This is exactly why we have fire drills in schools and office buildings.  You never know when a fire could occur.  It could mean life or death for everyone in the building to exit quickly, in an orderly fashion and follow further direction.  The same is true of recall.  You never know when your dog(s) will get away from you.  They will need lots of practice to come quickly to you no matter the situation they are put in.