How do you train a dog to recall reliably?
Written by
David Smith
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Reliable recall ensures your pup's safety on outdoor excursions. Teach through valuable treats, such as cooked chicken, in low-distraction settings. It's more important to reinforce reliability than speed in this vital skill, letting your dog know awesome things will happen if he comes back to you.
Foundation Building
- Begin indoors with 3-5 foot recalls using premium treats
- Use consistent verbal cues paired with clear hand signals
- Reward within one second of successful returns
Progressive Challenges
- Gradually increase distance to 15-20 feet over sessions
- Introduce mild distractions like quiet toys after mastery
- Transition outdoors only after consistent indoor success
Game Integration
- Use Treasure Hunt with 'Find it!' cues for engagement
- Incorporate Hide-and-Seek to strengthen seeking behavior
- Always reward with play or treats after completion
Immediate rewards build strong associations with recalls. Use your dog's favourite treat all the time for recalls, and that will help with the motivation in the presence of distractions. Timing is everything: anything less than one second later is too late!
In general, consistent short sessions yield better progress than occasional longer ones. Practicing for five minutes, twice a day, will produce the best results. Look for signs of fatigue (e.g., slowing responses). It is always a good idea to end practice sessions on a high note to maximize enthusiasm for the following sessions.
Safety requires proper equipment, such as front-clip harnesses. These prevent injury during unexpected pulls. Always check outdoor spaces for hazards before training. Your commitment creates trust, making adventures possible.
Read the full article: Dog Recall Training: Essential Guide
