How to Set a VERY Reliable Recall With Your Dog

Tired of your dog constantly running away any chance they get or ignoring you when you call? Try these 10 easy steps to begin an effective recall on your dog.

First off, what is a “recall”? A reliable recall is when you call your dog with a trigger word and know they will respond by coming back to you. Any age or breed of dog can learn how to recall!


*NOTICE that every dog is different and will react differently to methods and training. Please remain patient and calm during training.
*KEEP IN MIND that a reliable recall takes a lot of time and effort from both you and your dog.
*DO NOT let your dog off-leash without a 100% reliable recall or leash-required areas.

Think of a good, short word to use when recalling your dog. Try to refrain from using your dog's own name and train them using a specific cue. For example, a great recall word for your dog can be “here”, “come”, or “home”.

Get a long leash, preferably 15-30 feet.

Find the highest value treat as your dog's reward to make them want to come to you quickly and positively. A recall is one of the toughest tricks to learn, so dry kibble and small dog treats aren’t going to cut it. Instead, try savory treats (in moderation) such as cheese, UNSEASONED pieces of chicken, sardines, or even hot dogs! Find out the highest-valued treat, or if your dog is picky or still doesn’t respond quick enough to food, see if your dog is toy driven. Then, use a tennis ball or a rope to bite on to as an alternative!

Set your dog up for success! Start out by only calling your dog when you’re certain they are going to come back to you.

After you say your recall with your dog on a leash, start to praise. Get your dog excited to maintain their drive when coming back to you.

When your dog comes back to you, reward EVERY time with a high-value treat/toy.

Recalls are often used for emergencies, but try not to panic or startle your dog when recalling. Your dog will have a higher chance of recalling with a calm, consistent recall.

Try the recall in different environments. Build your dog’s recall strength by slowly advancing to more distracting locations.

REPEAT! Repetition and consistency are the key to creating a very reliable recall over time.

With enough training and trust, you can let your dog off leash with a perfect recall. But, only do this in environments that allow off-leash dogs and when you know you’ve completed an extremely reliable recall.