“He’s brilliant in the garden, but the second we’re at the park he’s off.” It’s one of the most common things we hear at Back To Basics, and the good news is that a reliable recall is absolutely something you can build, whatever your dog’s age or breed. It just takes the right approach and a bit of consistency.
Start where your dog can already succeed
Recall isn’t taught at the park with squirrels, other dogs and a hundred smells competing for your dog’s attention. It’s built somewhere calm and boring first, your living room, then the garden, where coming back to you is the easiest, most rewarding choice on offer. Get it rock-solid there before you add distractions.
Make coming back the best thing that happens
When your dog comes to you, it should always, always be worth their while: a bit of tasty food, a favourite toy, genuine praise. Make coming back the easiest, most rewarding choice on offer and you give your dog every reason to do it again.
Build up the distance and distractions slowly
Once your dog is coming reliably up close, add a little distance. Then try it in the garden. Then a quiet corner of the park on a long line, so you keep control while they learn. Each time you make it harder, drop the difficulty of everything else so your dog can still win. A long training line is your best friend here, it lets your dog have freedom while you’re still in charge of the outcome.
Practise little and often
Five minutes a day of fun, upbeat recall games will get you far further than one long, frustrating session at the weekend. Keep it light, keep it winning, and finish while your dog still wants more.
Want a hand with it?
Recall is one of the things we work on most in our classes and 1:1 sessions, especially with dogs who’ve learned that ignoring you pays off. If you’d like tailored help, get in touch or come along to a class. We’re always happy to talk it through.