How to teach a reliable recall
What you’ll need:
High-value treats
Harness/collar and lead
3-6m long-line
Teaching a puppy to have reliable recall—coming back to you when called—is one of the most important and life-saving commands you can teach. It takes a lot of practice and patience and the key is to make coming back to you the most rewarding and exciting thing in the world.
1. Preparation
Select a unique and consistent word or phrase for your recall command. "Come", "here" or "let's go!" are good choices. Avoid using your puppy's name alone, as you use their name for many other things. Remember that everyone in the household needs to use the same cue word and the rules should be consistent.
Never use a recall command for something negative. Do not call your puppy to come to you to put them in the crate, give them a bath or leave the dog park. Instead, walk over to them and calmly get them. This preserves the positive association with the recall command.
Recall needs to be the most exciting thing that happens to your puppy. Use an excited, high-pitched voice and happy body language (squatting down, clapping) and treats they absolutely love, like small pieces of chicken, cheese or hot dogs, or a favourite toy they only get for recall.
Begin your training inside your home or in a securely fenced, low-distraction area like your backyard. This sets your puppy up for success.
2. Fun and games
Puppy ping-pong: This is a great game for building a strong recall foundation. You will need a partner and a handful of treats.
Stand a short distance from your partner with your puppy in the middle.
One person calls the puppy's name, then the recall cue ("Puppy, come!"), with an enthusiastic and happy tone.
When the puppy comes, give them lots of praise, a high-value treat and a brief party.
The other person then calls the puppy.
Repeat this back and forth, gradually increasing the distance between you and your partner.
Chase me: This taps into your puppy's natural prey drive and desire to chase.
Get your puppy's attention. Say your recall cue and then turn and run a few steps away from them.
When they catch up to you, reward them with a treat and praise. This teaches them that coming to you is a fun game.
Surprise recall
Call your puppy back to you at random times during playtime.
When they return, give them a reward, then immediately release them back to what they were doing with your release word ("okay” or “all done”). This prevents them from associating recall only with "going home" or "fun is over”.
3. Add distance and distractions
Once your puppy is reliably coming to you in a distraction-free environment, it is time to increase the challenge. Practice in a different room of your house or a quiet area of your garden.
Invest in a long training lead (3-6 meters) and a harness. This gives your puppy the feeling of freedom while you maintain control and can prevent them from getting into trouble.
Practice in a slightly more stimulating environment, like a quiet park or a field. Start with very minor distractions, like calling them when a person is walking by at a distance. If they ignore you, you have moved too quickly. Do not repeat yourself. Go back to an easier step in a less distracting environment.
If your puppy does not come back, do not chase them. This can turn into a game for them. Instead, turn and run the other way to entice them to chase you or hide and call them when they are looking for you.
Never call your puppy if you are not confident they will come back. A failed recall weakens the command.
4. Mastery
As your puppy gets more reliable, you can start to practice around more significant distractions like other dogs, squirrels or joggers.
Don't always use food as a reward. A reward can also be a quick game of tug-of-war, a toss of their favourite ball, or enthusiastic praise and belly rubs. This keeps them guessing and excited about the reward.
Even if it takes them a while to come back, always praise and reward them when they finally get to you. If you scold them, they will learn that coming to you after a delay leads to a negative consequence and they will be less likely to come back next time.
Recall is not a "once and done" command. Continue to practice in different environments and with varying levels of distraction to keep it fresh and reliable.
Building a reliable recall is an ongoing journey that can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. By focusing on consistency and making the experience a positive one, you will give your puppy a skill that is truly life-saving. Continue to practice, be patient with their progress, and you'll have a dog who eagerly returns to you, no matter what.
Check out our other blogs in our puppy training series:
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