Recall Training: Teaching Reliable “Come” Commands (List Guide)

Trainer note: Use a long line and a secure harness outdoors while you’re still training recall. Avoid off‑leash areas until your dog’s recall is proofed around dogs, wildlife, food, and toys.

A bombproof recall can save your dog’s life. The key is building a powerful habit loop: hear cue → sprint to you → jackpot. Use these step‑by‑step lists to teach, proof, and maintain a rock‑solid “come.”

1) Foundation Steps (Indoors First)

• Pick a unique cue you don’t use for anything else (e.g., “Puppy, COME!” or a whistle).
• Charge the cue: say the cue → toss a high‑value treat behind your dog → when they turn back toward you, scatter 3–5 treats at your feet. Repeat 10–15 times.
• Add movement: say the cue, then run backward a few steps—reward at your feet as your dog chases you.
• Use a hand target: present your palm at knee height; when your dog boops your hand, mark (“Yes!”) and reward at your feet.
• Keep sessions short (1–2 minutes) and end while your dog is excited for more.

2) Long-Line Progression (Yard → Quiet Park)

• Gear: 15–30 ft biothane long line + back‑clip harness (avoid neck pressure).
• Say cue once; reel in slack only if needed—no yanking. Reward generously when your dog reaches you.
• Randomize rewards: sometimes one treat, sometimes a rapid-fire “paycheck” of 5–7 tiny treats, play tug, or release to go sniff again.
• Sprinkle “freedom releases” after recall (“Go sniff!”). Coming to you should not always end the fun.
• Practice from easy to hard: short distance, neutral setting → longer distance, mild distractions.

3) The Distraction Ladder (Proofing Plan)

• Level 1: Quiet room at home.
• Level 2: Hallway/backyard with mild smells.
• Level 3: Front yard/driveway with distant people/dogs.
• Level 4: Park at off‑hours (dogs 50+ ft away).
• Level 5: Park at busy times (dogs/kids/bikes).
• Only move up when you get 8/10 fast responses at the current level.

4) Recall Games That Supercharge Motivation

• Ping‑Pong Recall: Two people kneel 10–15 ft apart; take turns calling and paying big when the dog arrives. Increase distance.
• Hide & Seek: One person hides behind a door/tree; call once. Celebrate like crazy when your dog finds you.
• Chase Me: Say the cue and jog away happily—pay at your feet. Movement triggers chase (use wisely).
• Find Me Scatter: Call, then immediately scatter 5–10 tiny treats at your shoes when your dog arrives. Turn your feet into a “reward zone.”
• Recall → Tug/Fetch: Arrive fast = 5–10 seconds of tug or a quick fetch. Use toys as jackpots for toy‑driven dogs.

5) Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

• Calling repeatedly (“come, come, come”) → Fix: Say it once. If no response, reduce difficulty, use your long line, and make the payoff bigger.
• Calling to end fun every time → Fix: Insert “free” releases after recall so coming to you predicts more freedom.
• Punishing after your dog finally comes → Fix: No scolding. If they took ages, still pay. Train easier next rep.
• Using the cue for nail trims/baths/meds → Fix: Go get your dog quietly for things they dislike. Protect the cue’s meaning.
• Underpaying the fastest reps → Fix: The fastest sprints earn the biggest jackpots or play rewards.

6) Cue Upgrades (Make It Bulletproof)

• Add a whistle recall (two short peeps = party). Great in wind and over distance.
• Install a “collar grab”: when the dog arrives, gently take the collar/harness, feed 3–5 treats, then release. Prevents dodging.
• Teach an emergency recall word used ONLY for jackpots (e.g., “CHEESE!”). Practice randomly 2–3x/week.

7) Criteria, Metrics, and Maintenance

• Goal: dog turns on a dime and runs full speed to you within 2–3 seconds of hearing the cue (at training distances).
• Track success rate: aim for 80%+ fast responses before adding harder distractions or longer distance.
• Maintenance: 2–3 micro‑sessions per week + occasional surprise jackpots to keep recall “on salary.”

8) Safety & Field Sense

• Use a long line near roads, wildlife, or cliffs; never practice recall toward hazards.
• Avoid retractable leashes for recall drills (constant tension blurs the cue).
• Microchip & ID tags up to date; a strong recall is not a substitute for management.

9) Sample 2‑Week Plan (Quick Start)

• Days 1–3: Indoors cue charging + hand target + Ping‑Pong Recall (30–40 total reps/day in 2–3 micro‑sessions).
• Days 4–6: Backyard/quiet area on a 15–30 ft long line; add movement rewards and sniff releases.
• Days 7–10: Quiet park off‑hours; practice at 10–20 ft with mild distractions.
• Days 11–14: Increase distance to 30–40 ft; introduce whistle recall; sprinkle emergency recall word once daily.

10) Troubleshooting Stalls

• Dog ignores you? You went too hard/too far. Shorten distance, reduce distractions, increase reward value.
• Dog comes slowly? Pay only the fastest reps with jackpots; slow reps get a single small treat.
• Dog stops short? Reward at your feet only. Step backward to draw them in; practice collar‑grab pays.
• Competing reinforcement (squirrels, other dogs)? Use distance and timing—call right before your dog locks in, not after.

Sources & Notes

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) — reward‑based training guidelines
• IAABC & Karen Pryor Academy resources — recall games & reinforcement strategies