Teaching your dog to come when called is one of the most valuable skills you can teach your dog.
Given that our 21st-century dogs are living in captivity, a reliable recall allows your dog to enjoy more freedom, autonomy, and allows them to simply be a dog, sniffing, running, and rolling. Whether you’re hiking on trails, visiting the beach, or simply enjoying time in the backyard, a dog who comes when called can safely enjoy more of life.
But recall is not something dogs automatically understand. Like all behaviors, it needs to be taught and practiced intentionally.
Learning how to train a dog to come when called starts with making the behavior worth their while and building success step by step.
Start Building a Strong Recall
Recall does not happen automatically. Dogs repeat behaviors that work for them.
If coming when called leads to something wonderful, dogs will happily do it again and again.
This is a perfect example of how dogs learn through consequences.
The first step in teaching recall is choosing a reward your dog truly loves.
Use something high-value and special, such as:
Roast beef
Liverwurst
Cheese
Cooked chicken breast
Sardine treats
I would suggest reserving special treats only for recall training so the reward stays powerful.
Step 1: Name Game, Collar Grab Game
Begin practicing at home, where there are very few distractions.
We will train the Come When Called backwards, meaning you’ll begin at the end. When you call you dog to you, you want them to come directly to you and to be close enough that you are able to grab their collar. So, we’ll start there with a game I call Name Game, Collar grab. You will condition your dog to want their collar grabbed because it will predict that treats come next. AND, if you have called your dog away from a porcupine, a road etc, you want control of them which is why you’ll train them to want their collar grabbed.
Stand close to your dog and say their name in a friendly, upbeat voice. Immediately, give them five pieces of high-value treats, ONE AT A TIME. Dogs are like young children; they’d rather have the ten pennies, not the dime.
Repeat this three times a day for three days. You may quickly notice that your dog begins staying close to you. From your dog’s perspective, you have suddenly become very valuable.
Step 1A: Quick Test
Without your dog knowing that you have treats, walk away from your dog (in your home) and say his name in the same sing-song voice you used for Name Game/Collar Grab. He should make a beeline for you. If he does not, check to be sure you are using high-value treats and that you are being GENEROUS! Your dog is always running a cost-benefit analysis. Be sure it’s worth his while to leave the yummy smell, digging in the leaves, etc., to come to you.
Once your dog understands the basic idea, you can make recall into a fun game.
Step 2: Teaching The Criteria
Your Criteria:
- You must always say your dog’s name twice…even if he is coming towards you. When I call Gio, it looks like this: GGGGGGIIIOOOOOOOO, pause, GGGGGGIIIOOOOOOOO.
- You will GRAB the collar FIRST, then deliver 10 high-value treats one at a time.
Every Time!
The reason for this is often times your dog is making noise in the woods, on the snow etc. When you say her name the first time, she’ll stop, pick up her head, and ask herself: “Was that my person calling me?” When you say her name a second time, you confirm for her that yes, you are calling her.
Your Dog’s Criteria:
- After you say your dog’s name for the second time, you will count for three seconds. Your dog MUST start towards you by the time you say; Three one-thousand. If they wait for 4, 5, 6 seconds, there will be NO REINFORCEMENT, when they finally get to you.
- They must clearly be coming directly to you. They can not stop to sniff, roll, drink, or visit with someone, etc.
Step 3: Practice in your house with distractions.
Let’s set this up in your home. (low distraction)
Have a helper distract your dog with a low-value treat, such as kibble.
Call your dog to you, saying his name in a happy, sing-song tone. Remember your criteria, you’ll say his name twice.
When your dog reaches you, take hold of their collar and reward them with 10 pieces of high-value treats.
Then switch roles so your helper calls the dog.
This creates a fun game.
As your dog learns the criteria, increase the level of distractions. Your helper can hold a small piece of chicken (be sure they have their fist closed), a favorite toy. You can add movement as another level of distraction.
Step 4: Practice in your backyard.
If you don’t have a fenced-in backyard, use a 30’ long line so your dog feels as if they are free, but you still have control.
Hold the end of the leash, and let your dog wander away, at about 10’ – 15’ away, call him using your sing-song voice. Saying his name twice. Name…..pause…..name….count to 3 seconds. As long as he has started towards you by the end of you three second count, and he comes directly to you, grab the collar and excitedly deliver 10 small, high-value treats.
Remember, you are building the cost-benefit analysis for your dog. DON’T BE STINGY!!
Practice three times per day (no more), gradually having him get further away from you.
Step 4A: Manifest Distractions in Your Backyard
Repeat step 3 outside. Keeping your dog on the 30’ long line. Have your helper distract your dog with some kibble securly held in their hand. They can even walk back and forth with the kibble.
Call you dog saying his name twice in the sing-song voice. Count to three seconds. If he leaves your helper and come directly to you, grab his collar and give him ten (10) treats, one at a time.
BE GENEROUS and use $100 value treats.
Practice three times per day. NO MORE. This is an exercise where MORE is not BETTER.
If you have a fenced-in yard and you are going to call your dog inside, you’d better have super high-value treats to give him once he’s inside. Why? Because calling your dog inside can be seen as a punishment – from your dog’s perspective. You call him in, close the door and go back to theTV – boring for your dog. You risk losing your come when called if you don’t generously reinforce your dog for coming inside.
Step 5. Taking Recall Training On the Road
After practicing successfully in your back yard, you can begin to use it on your off leash walks, beaches etc. Your dog should remain on the 30’ long line as a safely precaution.
Reward generously when your dog comes to you. This means a minimum of TEN pieces of high value food.
Remember that outdoor environments are far more distracting, so rewards should be generous and enthusiastic.
Even today, I practice one or two recalls on every walk with my dog and reward him generously every time he comes.
Rules for a Reliable Recall
1. Fabulous Rewards Create Fabulous Recalls
If you want your dog to stop doing something interesting and come running to you, it must be worth their while.
Use excellent rewards such as:
- High-value food
- A favorite toy
- A game of tug
- A thrown ball
Generous rewards create enthusiastic recalls.
2. Never Call Your Dog for Something Unpleasant
Avoid calling your dog to you for things they dislike.
Examples include:
- Nail clipping
- Bath time
- Medication
- Ending playtime at the park
For these situations, calmly walk to your dog and gently take hold of their collar instead.
This protects the positive meaning of your recall cue.
3. Teach, Don’t Test
Only call your dog when you believe they will succeed.
If your dog is deeply focused on sniffing or exploring, wait until they disengage before calling.
This helps maintain a strong pattern of success.
4. Be an Encouraging Cheerleader
Once you call your dog, keep encouraging them as they move toward you.
Use a happy voice, clap your hands, and show excitement.
Let your dog know that coming to you is the best decision they could make.
The Big Takeaway
Teaching a reliable recall takes time and consistent practice.
But once you understand how to train a dog to come when called, it becomes a fun and rewarding skill to build together.
Practice regularly, reward generously, and set your dog up for success.
Over time, you will build a recall that allows your dog to safely enjoy more freedom and adventures with you.
