Recall Training: How to Get Your Dog to Come Every Single Time

Imagine this: Your dog slips their collar near a busy road. You freeze. You yell their name. Does your dog stop, spin around, and sprint back to you? Or do they keep running?

That moment is why Recall (the “Come” command) is the single most important thing you will ever teach your dog. It is not just a trick; it is a safety belt. It is the difference between a funny story and a tragedy.

Yet, it is the command most owners struggle with. Why? Because we accidentally “poison” the cue. We teach our dogs that “Come” means “The Fun Ends.”

In this guide, we will rebuild your recall from scratch. We will teach you how to make coming to you better than squirrels, better than other dogs, and better than sniffing that dead thing in the grass.

The Golden Rules of Recall

Before we start training, you must swear to obey these rules:

1. Never call your dog for something bad. Do not call them to give them a bath, trim their nails, or leave the park. Go get them instead. “Come” must only mean “Jackpot!”
2. Never repeat the command. “Come… Come! COME!! FIDO COME NOW!” triggers “command deafness.” Say it once. If they don’t come, you have to make it happen (run away, make noise).
3. Always pay up. A recall is expensive behavior. It requires the dog to leave something they love. You must pay them with high-value rewards (sausage, cheese), not dry kibble.

The “Name Game” (Building Attention)

Your dog can’t come if they aren’t listening.

1. Say your dog’s name in a happy voice.
2. The split second they look at you, mark (“Yes!”) and treat.
3. Repeat 50 times a day. Indoors, outdoors, everywhere. Goal: The name becomes a reflex. Name = Look at Mom/Dad.

Game 1: Catch Me If You Can (Chase Instinct)

Use your dog’s predatory drift to your advantage. Dogs love to chase.

1. Say “Come!” in a high-pitched voice.
2. Run away from your dog.
3. When they catch you, have a party! Treats, praise, play.

Why it works: Most owners make the mistake of moving towards the dog (looming), which pushes the dog away. Running away triggers their instinct to chase you.

Game 2: Ping Pong Recall (Two Person)

You need a partner and a hallway (or fenced yard).

1. Person A holds the dog. Person B runs to the other end.
2. Person B yells “Fido, Come!”
3. Person A releases dog.
4. Dog sprints to Person B -> Huge reward!
5. Person A yells “Fido, Come!”
6. Repeat back and forth.

This builds speed and enthusiasm.

The “Emergency Recall” (The Nuclear Option)

Sometimes, the standard “Come” isn’t enough (e.g., chasing a deer). You need a separate, nuclear-level command.

• Pick a word: “Touch!”, “Here!”, or a specific whistle.
• The Reward: This command only predicts the best thing in the universe (wet cat food, steak, a squeaky toy).
• Train it:
  1. Say the word.
  2. Pour the jackpot on the floor.
  3. Repeat for weeks without any distraction.
• Use it: Only in real emergencies or for maintenance practice once a month. Never use this if you don’t have the jackpot on you.

Long Line Training: Freedom with Safety

You cannot train recall off-leash until you have a perfect recall on-leash. Buy a 30-foot biothane long line.

1. Go to a park. Let the dog sniff and wander.
2. Wait for them to be distracted.
3. Say “Come!”
4. If they come: Jackpot!
5. If they ignore you: Gently pulse the long line to get their attention, then run backwards.
6. Release: After the treat, say “Go Sniff” and let them go back to what they were doing. This teaches that coming to you doesn’t mean the fun ends; it’s just a pause in the fun.

The “Poisoned Cue”: What if my dog ignores “Come”?

If you have spent years yelling “Come” and your dog ignores it, the word is poisoned. It has become background noise. Change the word. Switch to “Here,” “Close,” or “Front.” Start fresh with the new word and strictly follow the Golden Rules.

Troubleshooting Distractions (The Squirrel Factor)

You must work up to distractions.

• Kindergarten: Inside the house (Zero distractions).
• Elementary: Backyard (Smells).
• High School: Front yard (Cars, people).
• University: Dog park (Other dogs).

If your dog fails at University, go back to High School. Do not test them and set them up to fail.

Summary

A reliable recall is built on trust and history. Every time you call your dog and reward them, you put a deposit in the bank. Every time you call them and do something “bad” (bath, crate), you make a withdrawal.

Make sure your account is overflowing with deposits, so when you really need to cash in that check in an emergency, the funds are there.