Teaching your dog how to come to you when you call their name can take work. It’s a very important skill for your dog to learn because it helps keep them and others safe. However, dogs are very curious animals and are always looking to explore and may not always come when called. If your dog is struggling with this skill, here’s how to improve your dog’s recall training:

1. Use One Command Only for Recall

Recall is one of the most basic commands a dog can learn. Dogs rely on and thrive on consistency. Pick one word or phrase and stick with it and this phrase or word must only mean recall for your dog. If you use a few different words or phrases for recall, your dog won’t know which command to follow.

The phrase “Come here” is an effective command. When your dog hears that phrase, they will know you mean business. If your dog is young, consider puppy training classes. These classes are beneficial for staying consistent in training and learning proper commands and behavior.

It’s also important that your dog associates this specific term with good things. If you use “come here” for bath time or going to the vet, your dog will be less inclined to follow the command. If your command for recall is already associated with negative things, you may need to find another word and only associate it with positive outcomes.

2. Reward or Praise Them Every Time They Come Back

Dogs also need rewards and incentives to obey. Positive reinforcement is a popular dog training technique you should know because it will go a long way in strengthening their recall. When first working on recall training, use training treats to reward your pup. Be sure to heap plenty of praise on your dog, too.

If you’re worried about giving your dog too many treats, your dog doesn’t need to be rewarded with treats every time. Simply paying them some special attention or playing a quick game with them helps reinforce a positive reaction from you. Remember to praise them every time, however. Dogs love to hear they’ve been good so be sure to tell them that every time they return to you.

3. Understand it May Take Baby Steps

Good recall does not happen immediately. It takes work and consistency. Start with short distances on a lead or along with leash training. Working on recall while on a leash keeps your dog close and doesn’t allow them to run away. Increase the distance with a long leash as they master recall.

Once they’ve mastered a recall while on a leash, it’s time to try recall off leash but in an enclosed space. Again, they can’t run away and get lost. Remember to praise your dog every time they come back to you.

Now, it’s time to work on recall with some distractions. Try this on a walk where you may encounter other dogs and people. Keeping your dog on a leash ensures safety and in some areas, it may even be the law.

Doing this process in small steps allows it to become ingrained in your dog’s memory. If your dog struggles at any step, just go back to the last step they mastered. It may take some dogs more time than others which is something dog trainers wish dog owners knew.

4. Don’t Punish Your Dog When They Fail

Even if your dog fails to return to you when you call them, it’s important not to punish them. If you scold them, they will associate recall with a negative experience. Sometimes failures happen and that’s okay. Try not to end a training session on a negative note. If your dog isn’t mastering recall, switch to something else they are good at so they can end on a positive note.

5. Avoid Confusing Signals

Multiple commands aren’t the only way to confuse your dog’s recall. If you react negatively when they come back to you, even if it takes longer than you prefer, it can confuse them. This can set your recall training back a lot.

If your dog isn’t listening to you, it might not be because they’re being stubborn or difficult, it could be that they are confused or unsure of what you expect from them. Start by making sure you’re not confusing them with confusing signals or reactions.

Avoid chasing them, especially during urgent situations. This tends to make them think it’s a game for them and damages recall training. If they’re in play or game mode, try running away from them to see if they’ll chase you, then reward for recall. This reinforces recall while making it fun.

6. Mind Your Tone

Use a happy and positive voice when using the recall command, even if you feel frustrated or panicked. The tone of your voice matters with your dog and you want them to associate that tone of voice when you need to recall your dog.

Keeping a positive or excited tone will help as you build a positive association between the command and desired behavior. If you sound scared or angry when using the command, it can make your dog less likely to respond, especially if they associate it with being in trouble. This is one of the ways you’re confusing your dog and can hurt basic recall training.

7. Get Family or Friends Involved

Having other people get involved with your dog’s recall training is a great way to switch it up for your dog as it reinforces positive behaviors. Teach everybody the recall command and encourage them to use it with your dog. Make sure everybody sticks to the same training method so your dog has consistency.

If your dog only listens to one person in your family, working on some training with everyone is helpful. As long as things remain positive and consistent, your dog’s recall should be improving with everyone in the family.

Your friends and family can also work as a distraction during your dog’s training. After your dog’s recall training begins to improve, use someone as a distraction. Getting your dog used to a distraction in the general vicinity while they’re training helps them learn how to listen to you even when other things going on.

8. Play Games to Reinforce Recall Training

Some people think once your dog is trained, they don’t need practice. This is one of the most common dog training myths and dogs actually do need practice, even when they’re older. There are some games to play that can help reinforce recall training.

3 Games to Improve Your Dog’s Recall Training

Here are a few fun ones to try!

1. The Counting Game

The counting game is a great game to try in the beginning of reinforcing recall training. Begin with a few small treats and place them on the ground or floor. Count them out one by one, even though your dog won’t initially understand what you’re doing.

Once your dog realizes there are treats on the ground, they will run over. Praise your dog and let them eat the treats. Move away from your dog and begin counting out a few more treats. As you continue to do this, your dog will get quicker and quicker at returning to you.

The reason this works so well is because it’s unconditional. The moment your dog hears you counting, they know they will receive treats so they eagerly join you.

2. Hide and Seek

This game works best at home or in a place where your dog can be off-leash. Start by distracting your dog with something they can smell, like a treat. While they’re distracted, run away, hide, and then call out their recall cue.

When they come over and find you, praise them and offer them their favorite toy. Distract them again and then go hide in a new place. Repeat the process, praising them when they find you. Make sure they can find you easily! You want to build confidence and excitement in finding you.

3. Dinner Time Recall

Have your dog sit while you prepare their dinner. When their food is ready, tell your dog to come to you. When they get to you, praise them and put their bowl down for them. As your dog gets better at recall, continue to have your dog stay while you take the bowl into another room. This exercise helps strengthen your dog’s recall and dinner is their reward. And, don’t forget to praise them for waiting so patiently!

Working to improve recall is one of the tips for managing prey drive in dogs and can help you keep your dog safe when you are out with them. These are just a few ways to improve your dog’s recall training.

It’s rewarding when your dog listens and comes back to you when you call them. Using the right dog training methods and working to improve their recall training will benefit both of you and will help build a better bond between you and your dog!