🔥 Does your dog ignore you when you call them? Do they suddenly develop ‘selective hearing’ when they’re off lead? If so, you’re not alone. A solid recall is one of the most important skills your dog can learn, but many owners struggle to get it right.
The good news? With the right approach, your dog can have a reliable recall – even around distractions. This guide will take you through the key steps to train a recall that actually works and common mistakes to avoid.
Before diving into training, it’s important to understand why your dog doesn’t respond when you call:
❌ You’ve accidentally taught them to ignore you – If you repeatedly call your dog with no response, they learn your voice is just background noise.
❌ They don’t find you valuable enough – If coming back means the fun stops (going on the lead, leaving the park), why would they rush to you?
❌ They’re too distracted – Other dogs, smells, and wildlife can be more exciting than your voice.
✅ Fix it by making recall more rewarding than anything else – Training should be fun, and your dog should think coming back to you is the best thing that happens all day.
📌 Tip: If your dog doesn’t react when you say their name, recall training won’t work.
1️⃣ Say their name in a happy tone and reward them for looking at you.
2️⃣ Repeat this in different settings (garden, park, walks).
3️⃣ Never use their name negatively – No shouting their name in frustration!
🔹 SIMPLE but so effective, try this today!
📌 Tip: Don’t start recall training in the middle of a busy field with other dogs!
✅ Begin in a quiet space like your home or garden.
✅ Use a long lead for safety and to prevent running off.
✅ Call them when they’re already heading towards you to build success early.
🚫 Common mistake – If your dog won’t come in from the garden when called, you’re just building the ‘screw you’ muscle. Fix this today by making recall rewarding, fun, and consistent.
📌 Tip: If recall means ‘game over,’ your dog will ignore you.
🎾 Use high-value rewards – Not just dry kibble! Think cheese, chicken, or a favourite toy.
🙌 Reward EVERY time at first – even if they were slow to respond.
🕺 Make yourself exciting – Run backwards, use a fun tone, and make recall a game.
⚡ THINK – How excited and in tune are your dog’s senses when they see a rabbit, squirrel, or other fast-moving target? That’s the level of excitement we want to replicate in your recall!
📌 Tip: Don’t expect instant success in busy areas – build distractions up slowly.
🔗 Start in a quiet area with no distractions.
🐕 Introduce small distractions like another person or a toy.
🌳 Move to busier environments (parks, fields) once they’re consistent.
📌 Tip: Your recall cue should be clear and consistent.
✔️ Use a specific recall word (like “Come!” or “Here!”) and stick to it.
✔️ Consider a whistle – it’s clear, consistent, and carries further than your voice.
✔️ NEVER recall to punish – If they know coming back means trouble, they won’t come.
🚫 Calling them for something negative (e.g., bath time, leaving the park).
🚫 Chasing after them – This turns it into a game they’ll win. Instead, run the other way!
🚫 Being inconsistent – Everyone in the household must use the same recall word and reward system.
Here’s a structured training plan to get real results:
📅 Week 1-2: Build name engagement and responses in the garden/home/places on lead.
📅 Week 3: Rent private fields and introduce a long line – aim for 2-3 sessions this week.
📅 Week 4: Practice these same drills in quiet parks and other low-distraction areas.
📅 Week 5: Increase distractions and aim for 90% reliability. Take note of what’s working great and what isn’t.
📅 Week 6+: Test off-lead recall in quiet areas and implement everything you’ve trained so far.
📩 Want a faster way to get results? Book a 1-to-1 training session and let’s get your dog coming back first time, every time!
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