One of the first questions I get asked as a dog trainer is:
“My dog knows their name… so why won’t they come when I call them on the beach?”
If this sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone.
Recall is one of the most important skills you can teach your dog. It can quite literally save their life one day. Whether your dog slips out the front gate, spots a squirrel at the park, a bokkie on your walk, or just gets distracted on a walk, a reliable recall allows you to call them back to safety.
The good news is that most recall problems are not because dogs are stubborn or disobedient. More often than not, it’s because we haven’t taught the behaviour in a way that sets the dog up for success.
The purpose of this article is not to point out what you’re doing wrong,it’s to help you understand why recall sometimes fails and how to build one that your dog genuinely wants to respond to.
Recall is built, not expected
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is assuming their dog automatically understands what “Come” means.
Dogs don’t learn words simply because we repeat them.
They learn through repetition, consistency, and positive experiences.
When we first teach recall, we’re not teaching our dog to obey us. We’re teaching them that coming back to us is one of the best decisions they can make.
Every successful recall should make your dog think:
“I’m so glad I came back!”
A regular mistake: Only calling your dog when the fun ends
Think about when many people use recall.
They call their dog because:
- It’s time to go home.
- Playtime is over.
- The walk has ended.
- Bath time is about to begin.
- They need to leave the dog park, the nature walk or even an activity they like.
Before long, your dog starts making a connection:
“Every time I come back, something fun ends.”
Can you blame them for hesitating?
Instead, make recall rewarding.
Sometimes call your dog:
- Reward generously.
- Praise them.
- Have a quick play.
- Then let them go back to exploring.
This teaches your dog that coming back doesn’t always mean the fun is over, sometimes it means I get something really really nice!.
Repeating the recall cue
This is probably the most common mistake I see.
“Billy… Billy… Billy… Come… Billy… Come!”
Every time we repeat the cue, we weaken its meaning.
Instead:
Call your dog once.
Give them a moment to make a decision.
If they choose to come, celebrate that decision with enthusiasm and reward generously.
If they don’t respond, don’t continue repeating the cue over and over.
During training, use a long line so you can calmly guide your dog back if needed. This prevents them from learning that ignoring the cue is an option.
Becoming frustrated can break everything
Dogs are incredibly good at reading our emotions.
When owners become frustrated, raise their voices, or show irritation, dogs often become more hesitant to return.
Imagine being called over only to be greeted with anger.
Next time, would you rush back?
Probably not.
Even if your dog takes longer than you’d hoped, reward them when they arrive.
Your goal is to build the behaviour you want to see again.
You can always reflect afterwards on why the recall failed, but don’t punish your dog for eventually making the right choice.
Another common error is that many owners accidentally make recall far too difficult too soon.
A dog that recalls perfectly in the lounge may struggle at the park.
Why?
Because the environment is competing for your dog’s attention.
Other dogs.
Interesting smells.
Children.
Birds.
People.
Movement.
The outside world is exciting.
Build recall in layers:
- Inside the house.
- In the garden.
- On a quiet walk.
- Around mild distractions.
- Around greater distractions.
Success comes from gradually increasing difficulty not jumping straight into the hardest environment.
Reward like you mean it
One tiny piece of kibble after asking your dog to ignore the most exciting thing they’ve seen all day probably isn’t a fair trade.
Sometimes the reward needs to match the difficulty.
High-value rewards might include:
- Chicken.
- Cheese.
- A favourite toy.
- Tug of war.
- Lots of praise.
If coming back to you is more rewarding than chasing the distraction, your dog is far more likely to choose you.
The recall game
One of my favourite ways to teach recall is through a simple game.
Have two people stand a short distance apart.
Take turns calling your dog enthusiastically.
Each time your dog reaches the person who called them:
- Get excited about the behaviour.
- Reward generously, food, toys and even play.
- Praise them.
- Repeat.
This game teaches your dog that running towards thierpeople is fun, rewarding and exciting.
It’s also a fantastic way to build recall with every member of the family.
Don’t accidentally teach your dog to ignore you
Sometimes owners call their dog when they know they aren’t going to listen.
If your dog is chasing another dog across a field and has never practised recall in that type of environment, repeatedly calling them often teaches them something unintended.
It teaches them that:
“Sometimes I don’t have to come.”
Instead, manage the environment.
Use a long line.
Set your dog up for success.
Practise before increasing the level of distraction.
Training should always be achievable.
Keeping recall positive
Recall should never be associated with punishment.
If your dog eventually comes back,even if it took longer than you’d like…avoid scolding them.
Remember what you’re reinforcing.
You want your dog to think:
“Coming back to my owner is always safe.”
That feeling of safety builds trust.
Trust builds reliability.
My top recall tips
- Call your dog once.
- Reward every successful recall generously.
- Practise daily in different environments.
- Build distractions gradually.
- Use a long line while training outdoors.
- Make yourself exciting and rewarding.
- Avoid becoming frustrated.
- Never punish your dog for coming back.
- End training sessions on a positive note.
Reliable recall doesn’t happen overnight.
It is built through hundreds of successful repetitions, good timing, patience, and consistency.
Remember, every recall is a choice your dog makes.
Our job is to make that choice easy.
As positive reinforcement trainers, we don’t want dogs that come back because they’re afraid of what might happen if they don’t.
We want dogs that come back because they trust us, enjoy working with us, and know that choosing their handler is always worth it.
If you’re struggling with recall, don’t be discouraged. Every reliable recall starts with a single successful repetition. Build it slowly, celebrate every success, and remember that progress is far more important than perfection.
Your dog wants to succeed, you simply need to show them how.
