Tips for Improving Your Dog’s Recall

Recall is one of the most important skills you can teach. Unexpected things happen, and having a dog who comes back when called could quite literally save their life.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all method for recall training, but here are some simple tips to help you see real progress.

1. Build the Relationship

Your dog needs to see value in coming back to you. Make sure you spend time playing, training, and engaging with them so you’re the most rewarding thing in their world. A strong bond lays the foundation for reliable recall.

2. Choose (and protect) Your Recall Word

Pick a word that is consistent and isn’t thrown around casually by the whole household. If your recall word has already been “poisoned” by overuse or being ignored, introduce a new one and build it up with rewards.

3. Find the Right Reward

Dogs don’t recall for free, they need motivation. For some it’s food, for others it’s toys, and for many it’s the freedom to go back to what they were doing. Figure out what works best for your dog and use it generously.

4. Practise Little and Often

Keep sessions short, upbeat, and successful. Start in low-distraction areas and gradually add challenges as your dog improves. If they’re struggling, make it easier before pushing forward again.

5. Use the Secure Field to Practise Safely

If you’re not confident letting your dog off-lead in public yet, the secure field is the perfect place to practise recall without the risk of them running into danger or distractions. It’s a safe space to build up your dog’s skills before taking them into busier environments.

6. Add Variety

Vary your routes, play recall games, and include collar grabs and release cues so your dog learns that coming back doesn’t always mean the fun ends. This keeps recall fresh, rewarding, and reliable.

Final Thoughts

Good recall takes time, consistency, and patience but the effort is worth it. With the right rewards, plenty of practice, and safe places like our secure field to build confidence, you’ll soon have a dog you can trust to come back when it really matters.