Use a 5-step process to teach your dog a reliable recall

Puppies are curious and full of energy, which can sometimes lead to them wandering off and getting into all sorts of mischief. Giving your dog a reliable recall or training your dog to “come” when called makes walks and playtime safer, strengthens your bond, and improves communication with your furry friend.

If you’re wondering what age to teach puppy recall, the best time to start training your tiny canine is around eight weeks old. Keep the sessions short and sweet — about five to 10 minutes each.

What is recall?

You’re the proud owner of a puppy and want to ensure it stays safe wherever you go. You may have heard of dog recall, but what exactly is it?

Dog recall is an essential tool to keep your little one safe while exploring outdoors or while in training.

Recall means teaching your furry friend to return when you call your puppy — no matter the distraction.

This invaluable skill will help ensure that your pup won’t wander off when outside, get distracted during an obedience class, or even run away from home if left unsupervised for too long.

Since most dogs have an independent spirit (and some unscrupulous sniffers), recalling them takes practice and patience on our part as pet owners.

Even so, with repetition and reinforcement, you can train a dog to come in no time.

Why your dog won’t come when called

If your dog isn’t coming when called, don’t worry — it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong with your canine companion.

Here are a few common reasons why your dog might struggle with this basic command.

1. Your dog is being distracted by its surroundings. Whether it be other animals or people, puppies, and adult dogs often get focused on something else and forget about you for a little while in distracting environments. If you notice something specific around your dog each time it doesn’t come back to you, keep an eye out for that distraction the next time so you can figure out what has your furry friend’s attention.
2. Your tone of voice suggests your dog may be in trouble once it does eventually listen and come back over. If you sound angry or frustrated after giving a command multiple times, this could cause your pup to think that if it comes back to you, there will be some scary discipline.
3. Whatever else your pup may have been doing at any given moment is more fun or rewarding than having to return home. Your dog is having too much fun and doesn’t want it to end. It’s easy to see how fetching a ball or running free at the park could become a new favorite activity — who wouldn’t prefer playing versus immediately stopping and coming indoors?
4. It’s possible that your pup doesn’t know this command yet. You might think it’s your dog’s disobedient nature, but it’s more likely that it hasn’t been taught the command or given enough practice.

How to teach a reliable recall

Now that you understand why your beloved canine won’t come when called, it’s crucial to learn what to do.

The most important step is first starting with a solid foundation inside the house.

To begin recall training, find a quiet spot in your home with few distractions where you can focus on teaching your dog commands and responses; this could be in an area of your living room, for example.

Step 1: Choose your recall verbal cue

Decide on a verbal cue that you’ll consistently use to call your dog. It could be its name or a command like “come” or “here.” For even better results, say your dog’s name followed by the command: “Fido, come!” Once you’ve settled on a recall cue, it’s time to start obedience training.

Step 2: Practice the cue and build positive associations

Sit with your puppy and say its name with the chosen recall cue. Each time you say it, give your puppy a treat to encourage your dog to respond. Repeating the command helps your dog learn the new behavior. Your furry friend doesn’t need to do anything yet; you’re building a positive association between the cue and the reward.

Step 3: Get your puppy’s attention

Drop a treat on the floor near you. As soon as your puppy finishes the treat, repeat the recall cue. When it looks up at you, give it another treat. Repeating this step helps your pup understand that responding to the cue means a reward.

Step 4: Use toys or food to encourage the “come” command

Show your dog a toy or food that it is interested in. Walk away a couple of paces, then call your dog’s name and say “come” in a friendly, excited tone. Getting down low can also encourage your little one to return to you. Be sure to reward your pup with the toy or training treats when it responds.

Step 5: Gradually increase distance

Over time, increase the distance between you and your dog when practicing the recall command. Eventually, try calling your canine in and out of the yard or from room to room. Remember to be patient and consistent with your verbal cues and rewards.

Other tips for reliable recall

Never punish your dog for coming to you. While it may seem like punishing a dog when it doesn’t come could teach it what not to do next time, chances are it will only make things worse in the long run. Instead of punishment, always try positively reinforcing desirable behavior by providing high value treats and praise when your dog responds correctly instead of reacting angrily if mistakes are made.

Do not use an electronic collar. Despite popular belief, there are no quick solutions for teaching effective recalls — especially not ones involving shock collars. Aversive training does not work and will likely only worsen your dog’s behavior in the long run.

Avoid an angry tone. Dogs sense our emotions, so an angry or scolding tone will likely make it more hesitant to return, even if it knows and understands the command that you’re giving.

Be consistent. Ensure everyone in your household consistently uses the same cue words to avoid confusion for your pup. Inconsistency confuses dogs, just like it confuses humans.

Final thoughts on teaching a reliable recall

You may have experienced some missteps along the way, but with patience and consistency, you can get your dog to come when called.

Teaching a dog to have a good recall promotes safety — should there ever be an escape attempt — and enhances a connection between pet parent and pooch for years of happy companionship.

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