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Mastering the Art of Recall – A Lifeline for You and Your Dog

With thedogcalmer

Teaching your dog to come when called is one of the most crucial life skills they can learn. It’s about safety, trust, and the freedom to enjoy life together.

Imagine you’re out in the field, your dog off-lead, tail wagging as they explore. Suddenly, they spot a squirrel. You call them… but they don’t respond. Your heart skips a beat.

A solid recall can be the difference between a safe adventure and a potential emergency. This guide will help you build that vital skill—with kindness, clarity, and confidence.


Why Recall Matters

Recall isn’t just a handy trick—it’s a lifeline. A reliable recall can prevent your dog from:

  • Running into traffic

  • Chasing wildlife or livestock

  • Getting lost or into conflict with other dogs

When your dog comes back to you with joy and trust, it deepens your connection and creates a world of shared freedom. It’s the skill that keeps your dog close, safe, and truly part of your life.


Getting Started – Build from the Inside Out

Recall training starts with trust. Your dog needs to want to come back. That means:

  • You’re safe

  • You’re rewarding

  • You’re worth choosing—even over squirrels!


Begin at Home

  • Start in a calm space like your living room or garden

  • Use a happy tone of voice

  • Pair your call with a unique command like “come!” and a hand signal

  • Reward immediately—treats, toys, or loving praise


Caroline and Ida demonstrate teaching the short recall with clear hand signals and voice command

Keep it Clear and Consistent

Dogs learn best through repetition. Stick with the same word and gesture. Avoid repeating or nagging—just one clear cue, then wait.


Step-by-Step: Building Reliable Recall

  1. Short Distances IndoorsUse a lead if needed, reward every successful return.

  2. Introduce Light DistractionsTry the garden, then a quiet field. Always make returning worthwhile.

  3. Add Distance and MovementIncrease the gap between you and your dog—run backwards to boost enthusiasm.

  4. Build into Real-Life WalksPractice during walks, but keep your dog on a long line until recall is strong.


Games That Strengthen Recall

🎯 Tag & Treat

Call your dog, touch their collar gently, treat. Repeat in quick bursts—builds trust and handling ease.

🏃‍♀️ Catch Me If You Can

Jog backwards, calling your dog. Reward the catch-up with treats or play.

🌳 Find Me Fast

Hide behind a tree or bush. Call once. Celebrate when they find you—teaches attention even out of sight.

These games turn recall into fun, bonding moments—your dog learns that coming back brings joy.


Rocco the Cockerpoo on a walk with me, me walking away, giving him time to work out to follow me!

Facing Challenges with Compassion

🐾 Distractions – Gradually build up. Don’t start recall practice at a busy dog park.

🗣️ Inconsistent Cues – Stick to one word and one gesture. Everyone in the household should use the same.

🍗 Treat Fatigue – Mix it up! Use praise, toys, and different titbits. Train before mealtimes when your dog is more food-motivated.

Top tip: Let your dog choose to follow you. Don’t always call—just walk away. You might find they want to be with you.

Tips for Lifelong Success

  • Keep sessions short—just 5 minutes of off-lead training

  • Be enthusiastic—your joy makes you magnetic

  • Vary your rewards to stay exciting

  • Practise little and often

  • Train in different places—fields, car parks, woods



Avoiding Common Pitfalls

🚫 Don’t only call your dog when it’s time to leave the park🚫 Don’t call them for something negative (like bath time!)✅ Call them randomly during fun, reward generously, and let them go again

This teaches your dog that coming back doesn’t always mean “the fun ends.”


The Long-Term Rewards

A dog with solid recall is a dog that gets to live more.

  • More freedom

  • More adventures

  • More trust

It’s not just about safety—it’s about creating a joyful, responsive partnership where your dog feels safe to explore, and safe to return.


More training leads to more freedom for dog and handler!
More training leads to more freedom for dog and handler!

Join Us for a Recall Workshop

Want personal guidance with your recall training?

👉 Join our next Recall Workshop🗓 Saturday 28th June, 10am–12 noon📍 With Avril & Caroline at thedogcalmer🔗 Book your place here

Our workshops are small, focused, and full of heart. We’ll help you build the skills to give your dog the freedom they deserve.


Your dogs recall can be like these, we have supported 1000's of dogs and owners to have dogs that love to stay with them!

Got a Topic You’d Love Us to Cover?

If you’d like a blog on a particular area of dog training, behaviour or obedience—we’d love to hear from you.Drop us a message and let us know what you’d like support with.

Let’s build a community where dogs feel safe, calm, and heard.


With love, Avril x thedogcalmer

 
 
 

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