How can I teach my dog recall (to come when called)?

The good news is that you can teach your dog recall in a fun and positive way that will help you strengthen the bond between you and your dog by following these steps:

Before diving into recall training down at the off-leash park, practice a simple “follow me” game at home. Begin this exercise in a low distraction and familiar environment to help build your dog’s focus and create the foundation for a successful recall: 

• Drop a treat on the ground and walk away a few steps
• When your dog finishes the treat, call them to you (e.g., “Fido, come”)
• As soon as they start moving towards you say “yes” or “good boy/girl” to mark the desired behaviour (the decision to come to you)
• When they reach you, immediately praise them and drop another treat
• Repeat! Keep moving, changing direction and make it fun!

As your dog improves, add in small distractions. Then, move to practicing outside the house in the backyard where the distraction level is slightly higher and your dog is safely contained.

A recall only works if your dog wants to come back to you. Research shows that dogs learn recall more effectively when positive reinforcement is used to teach recall [2]. The following guidelines will help you set your dog up for success: 

• Begin practicing in a low distraction environment. Don’t expect great recalls if you start training in the park. Try to practice recalls every day, even if it is only in the home.
• During training, avoid recalling your dog to you if you think they won’t come (i.e. if they are distracted by a scent or if they are running away from you). It is best to wait until you have their attention and then use the recall.
• Use high value reinforcement. In highly distracting environments, the key to a successful recall is to be more exciting to your dog than whatever is ‘out there’ that they find so interesting. Make recalls worthwhile for your dog.
• For dogs not motivated by food, use their favourite toy as reinforcement. Don’t leave that special toy lying around; put it away and only bring it out just for training purposes to maintain its high value.
• No matter how reliable your dog’s recall, never walk your dog off-leash near a road or other dangerous areas. You cannot control the environment and something unpredictable may happen, such as a car backfiring that frightens the dog and causes them to run into danger.
• Ensure your dog gets plenty of daily physical and mental exercise otherwise they might take the opportunity when they get off-leash and be harder to recall.
• Avoid chasing your dog in play. One day you may chase them in an emergency and, if your dog thinks this is a game, they may run straight into danger. Instead, run away from your dog and call them to you. Most dogs will readily chase you and treat this as a game.
• Avoid reprimanding your dog or punishing them for not coming back to you as this can make it less likely they’ll come to you when called in future. Instead, quietly go to your dog and clip on the leash. Ask for a simple behaviour that they know, such as sit, and reinforce that.

Now that you understand how to set your dog up for success, you are ready to begin training for a solid recall.

Now it’s time to build on the follow me game to teach a strong recall. Follow these steps to learn how: 

• Repeat the steps in the follow me game but this time introduce the leash.
• Walk away from your dog then call their name and say “come”. When your dog comes to you ask them to sit, clip on the leash and then praise and reward. Take a few steps, unclip the leash and repeat. Practice this step both with and without clipping on the leash.
• Gradually increase the distance of your recall at home. Only increase the distance if your dog is succeeding.
• Next, practice in safe areas away from home with more distractions. Have your dog on a long leash in public. Let your dog sniff and run around and regularly call them to you throughout your walk. When your dog comes, praise and reinforce them and let them go again (on the long leash).
• Ensure your dog’s recall is at least 80% reliable on a long leash in highly distracting situations before you progress to off-leash training in a public place in areas of low distraction. Ensure the area is secure and that you are legally allowed to have a dog off leash, away from roads and other dangerous areas.
• In a highly distracting environment, when your dog comes back to you unexpectedly against the odds, give them an extra-large reinforcement (jackpot) to let them know they made the right choice, and it is worthwhile to come back to you. 

Practice as often as possible. A strong recall is the result of repetition, consistency and your dog learning that coming to you when called is ALWAYS rewarding.

Ignoring cues?

Avoid repeating yourself repetitively. If your dog fails to come to you after giving the cue twice then go and collect your dog and practice again in an easier setting. 

Reluctant to come close to you?

Some dogs will come but then dodge their owner when they know the fun is about to end. You can avoid this by mixing it up and teaching your dog that coming to you when called doesn’t necessarily mean you clip the leash on and take them home. Instead, release your dog as a reward for coming to you and allow them to go off and explore again a couple of times before you clip on the leash and go home. You can also continue to reward your dog whilst on leash and leaving the park to help make leaving a positive experience too. 

If your dog continues to dodge you, try walking away from them. Most dogs will follow because they don’t want to be left behind. Ensure you reward your dog with some high value treats when they do come back to you. Remember, you always want to reward your dog for coming to you, even if they took their time! 

Recall breaking down?

If you find your dog’s recall is falling apart, just go back to basics and increase the amount and value of the rewards you’re using. Remember, recall is a lifelong training skill, not a one-time exercise. 

Recall training takes time, patience and consistency. That said, it’s one of the most valuable skills you can teach your dog. By keeping training positive and fun you’ll create a strong recall, help keep your dog safe and build the trust and connection you share with them.  

Lastly, it’s important to understand that a 100% reliable recall is unrealistic. This is because you cannot control the environment. If another dog attacks your dog or a car backfires and your dog becomes frightened, they could panic and run off. For this reason, it’s always recommended to ensure you only allow your dog to be off leash in areas that are contained and safe from traffic and other potential dangers. 

Consistency is key! Keep training sessions short, fun, and rewarding and soon you’ll see your dog enthusiastically running back to you when you call them.