Recall is such an important skill to teach your dog, yet it can also be one of the most difficult to master.
It is one of the most common topics I am asked about as a trainer—and one of the greatest frustrations for dog owners—because their dog seems to want to do everything except come back.
Unfortunately, developing a reliable recall takes work—and lots of it.
Dogs are not born with a recall gene embedded in their DNA. We also need to avoid undermining our training by doing things that discourage the dog from returning.
Here are seven mistakes to avoid when teaching your dog an effective recall.
MISTAKE #1: PUNISHING YOUR DOG FOR COMING BACK
Here is a common scenario.
An owner takes their dog to an off-lead park. They remove the lead and Fido begins to wander away.
The owner calls him, but he has already found another dog to play with and they race towards the creek. The owner chases him, but Fido thinks it is a game and runs farther away.
Fido then catches the scent of a rabbit and disappears into the bushland.
After half an hour, Fido eventually returns. The first thing the owner does is yell at or hit him.
“That will teach him!” the owner says.
It won’t.
Dogs associate consequences most clearly with what has just happened. In this situation, Fido returned to his owner and was immediately punished.
What has he learned?
Coming back to his owner leads to something unpleasant.
What do you think he will do next time?
Whenever your dog returns, aim to make it a positive experience—regardless of what happened before they came back.
Use small amounts of an appropriate, high-value reward your dog loves. Make sure your dog learns that returning to you is one of the best choices they can make.
“Oh wow! When I went back to Mum, something fantastic happened. I’m going to do that again!”
MISTAKE #2: BEING THE FUN POLICE
I see this frequently.
Owners call their dog to end something the dog is enjoying.
Let’s return to the dog park. Jack is a Labrador happily playing with his friends and having a wonderful time.
His owner calls him. Jack returns, she attaches his lead, puts him in the car and takes him home.
What has Jack learned?
Returning to Mum means the fun ends.
What do you think Jack might do next time?
He may decide not to return.
Avoid making recall predict the immediate end of every enjoyable activity.
During a safe off-lead session, practise calling your dog, rewarding them and then releasing them to resume playing.
You can also approach your dog at different times, briefly attach the lead, provide a high-value reward and then release them again.
This helps prevent the lead—and returning to you—from always predicting that it is time to go home.
Only allow your dog off lead in legal, appropriate and safely managed areas. Until their recall is reliable, use a suitable long line rather than giving them unrestricted freedom.
MISTAKE #3: MAKING “COME” PREDICT AN UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE
Polly the Poodle is sleeping at home when her owner calls her.
Polly gets up and goes to her owner. Her owner picks her up and puts her in the bath.
Polly hates baths.
A few days later, Polly is sleeping when her owner calls again.
Being the wonderful dog she is, Polly gets up and walks over. Her owner restrains her and trims her nails.
Polly hates having her nails trimmed even more than having a bath.
Polly is learning that “come” predicts something she dislikes.
The next time her owner calls, Polly runs under the bed where she cannot be reached. This allows her to avoid the unpleasant experience.
Avoid using your recall cue exclusively before something your dog dislikes. Go to your dog when necessary, and work separately on making grooming, handling and bathing more comfortable.
MISTAKE #4: EXPECTING A RECALL YOU HAVEN’T TRAINED
Some owners believe a little training during puppyhood is enough to create a well-trained dog for life.
Developing a reliable recall requires time, patience, consistency and regular practice.
Owners sometimes expect their dog to perform a recall in the most difficult and distracting environment before the behaviour has been properly established.
This sets the dog up to fail.
A reliable recall can take months—or even years—to develop and maintain. It needs to be practised regularly.
Begin in stages and gradually increase the difficulty.
Start inside the house. Once your dog can respond consistently there, move into a secure garden with few distractions.
Progress to a quiet outdoor area using a suitable long line. Use particularly valuable rewards when your dog returns despite distractions.
Increase the level of difficulty gradually and avoid allowing your dog to run freely near roads or other hazards.
This requires commitment and patience, but the work is worthwhile when your dog comes rushing back after you call.
MISTAKE #5: NOT MAKING IT WORTHWHILE
Dogs repeat behaviours that lead to outcomes they value.
Many owners tell me, “My dog should do what I say.”
I ask them why.
They often answer, “Because I said so.”
I then ask whether they would go to work without receiving anything in return for 40 years. They look at me as though I am crazy.
Why would a dog automatically do something simply because their owner told them to?
There needs to be a meaningful outcome for them.
If your dog will not return, consider whether coming back is genuinely worthwhile from their perspective.
This leads to the next point.
MISTAKE #6: FAILING TO COMPETE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
Your dog is unlikely to return reliably just because you called.
You need to make returning to you more valuable than the available alternatives.
At home, where little is happening, your dog may be eager to return for affection, play or food.
The outside world is different.
There are fascinating scents to follow, dogs to meet, people to see and places to investigate. Compared with all of that, you may seem rather boring—sorry, but it’s true!
How will you compete with the environment?
Many people tell me their dog knows the recall cue because they respond perfectly at home.
When the dog does not respond at the park or beach, the owner describes them as dominant, stubborn or ignorant.
The dog is not necessarily refusing a behaviour they have mastered. They may simply be distracted, overwhelmed or insufficiently trained for that environment.
A dry biscuit may not compete with all the exciting things around them.
Think carefully about what your dog finds most rewarding. It may be different outdoors from what works at home.
Food is not the only possible reward. Depending on your dog, you may use play, affection, permission to sniff or the opportunity to return to an appropriate activity.
MISTAKE #7: MISSING PHYSICAL, BEHAVIOURAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
This one is frequently overlooked.
Some dogs do not return because moving is uncomfortable or painful.
They may have arthritis, an injury, muscular soreness or a painful joint. They may also be tired, lethargic or unwell.
We are not always good at observing our dogs and recognising when something is wrong. We can become so focused on what we want the dog to do that we overlook their body language and movement.
Observe your dog every day and seek veterinary advice if you notice pain, stiffness, lethargy or an unexplained change in behaviour.
Something in the environment may also prevent your dog from returning.
Your dog may not want to turn their back on another dog they find threatening. They may avoid returning because doing so would take them closer to a person who frightens them.
Dogs are highly aware of their surroundings, so consider what is happening around them.
Your dog may not be stubborn, dominant or trying to become the pack leader. Look at the situation and try to understand what your dog is communicating.
IN SUMMARY
Dogs are living, breathing, sentient animals.
They are intelligent, make choices and need some control over their experiences.
If your dog chooses not to return, ask why.
Have you trained the behaviour to the level the situation requires? Is the environment too distracting or frightening? Is the reward valuable enough? Could your dog be tired, unwell or in pain?
Respecting your dog’s communication does not mean ignoring safety. Recall can be lifesaving, and owners remain responsible for complying with leash laws and protecting their dog, other animals and the wider community.
Until your dog has a reliable recall, use a secure area or suitable long line so they can practise safely.
If you train the behaviour gradually, create an environment that supports success and make returning genuinely worthwhile, you are far more likely to develop an excellent recall.
Often, when a dog does not come back, the answer is not that they won’t—it is that they cannot yet respond reliably in that situation.
Need some help teaching your dog to come back? We would love to help.
What has your experience been with teaching recall? Do you have any other useful tips to share?
I would love to hear about them.
Dogaholics Dog Training and Behaviour Services
Dogaholics is a dog training and behaviour service located in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area of NSW.
