How to Teach Your Dog to Come: A Recall Training Guide

By SecretWuff 5 Min Read

Teaching your dog to come when they are called can be a lifesaver. And a strong recall will help you maintain a frustrationless relationship with your dog.

It’s easy to learn how to train your dog and come when they’re called, but feeding your dog requires dedication, patience and practice. It helps to make recalls easier and fun to your dog, so your dog will know that coming to you is a positive experience.

Key takeout

  • Teaching your dog to come when they are called is an important safety skill.
  • Use unique cue words that are not associated with other skills or tricks.
  • Positive reinforcement (treatment and praise) builds a strong recall response.
  • Practice in a gradually challenging environment that begins indoors.
  • Avoid off-leash training in unsecured areas until your dog is reliably responding.

How to teach your dog to come

You can teach your dog to follow these steps:

1. Select a unique recall word

Select a word unique to your dog and is not associated with another cue. If you’ve learned to ignore the word “come”, use something like “here” instead.

Do not use your dog’s name as a recall word. Perhaps you probably say it all the time, and the words you use for this queue should be special.

2. Set for success

You need a partner to teach this skill Dog treats.

Start your workout in a quiet room in your home where your dog is unlikely to be distracted.

3. Please call your dog

Kneel and say the words of your recall once in a happy voice.

If your dog doesn’t come when called, blow whis, clack your hands, or make a kiss to encourage them to run to you. Noise helps them to understand because they don’t know what “here” means at first.

4. I’ll reward you right away

When your dog comes to you, give them treatment and lots of praise. This is the basis of positive reinforcement training that uses teaching your dog how to act with what he likes.

5. Repeat with your partner

Have your partner call your dog and praise him more with another treat.

6. Please continue with that

Repeat this process until your dog competes from person to person every time you call.

Dog recall game

You can hide in another room and make it more challenging for your dog. You probably need to do a little more mouth whisper to help give them a clue. At this point, training seems like a hide-and-seek game. This is truly an idea. Have fun with it!

If your dog appears happy with these exercises, move to a garden or a safe, enclosed area. Working outside means competing with distractions, so use a valuable treat. Depending on the external setup, Training Leash It may be an effective and safe way to practice recalls.

Tips for dog recall training

Safety is the most important factor when practicing recall training.

  • Don’t try to test your phone by placing your pet in an unchained situation, as it can cause your pet to escape or get injured. Recalls should be practiced indoors, in fenced areas, or in training ropes.

  • Don’t forget to have fun. If your dog is actually struggling with some sessions or distractions to get it, don’t lose your patience. Practice will be perfect, so stay with it and fill it with fun snacks.


It was written

Victoria Shade, CPDT-KA

Animal Trainer


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