Table of Contents
Summary ✍️
Teaching your dog to come when called is more than just a handy trick — it’s essential for their safety and your peace of mind. Recall training can keep your pup out of trouble, make daily life smoother, and strengthen your bond. The best way to train your bud? Make it fun! Turn recall into a game, reward their efforts, practice consistently and always have treats on hand! (We’ve got you covered for that…) Before you know it, you’ll have a dog who comes running every time you call. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how to train your dog to come when called.
Training Treat Pouch
$14.00 CAD
This light-weight accessory is perfect for training sessions, walks, emergency recall or rewarding good behavior... anytime, anywhere! Zipper Closure: Keeps treats fresh and odor-free Carabiner Clip: Attach to any leash, bag, or belt Soft Silicone: Durable, lightweight, and easy to… read more
Key Takeaways 🔑
Start Simple: Begin in a quiet, low-distraction environment with their favourite treat or toy.
Make it Rewarding: Use positive reinforcement — lots of treats, praise, play and excitement!
Practice Patience: Slowly increase distractions as they improve.
Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t recall just to end playtime or your pup will form a negative association with the cue.
Keep it Fun: Play interactive recall games like hide-and-seek to make training more stimulating.
What is recall training? 🦮
If you want to learn how to train your dog to come when called, then you want to learn recall training, which is just another term for it. Recall training is all about teaching your dog to come back to you — no matter what they’re doing or what you’re doing. A reliable recall not only makes outings and off-leash adventures easier, but can also prevent dangerous situations. The goal is simple: teach your dog to understand that coming to you is always the best choice.
Why is recall training important? ⚠️
Picture this: Your dog spots a squirrel across the street or wanders too far at the dog park. You call them and call them, but they keep getting farther away, until — poof — they’re lost. Next thing you know, you’re rallying a search party, stressed to the max. A solid recall could’ve avoided all of this.
A reliable recall isn’t just nice to have for convenience — it’s your safety net. It can protect your pup from potential harm and build trust between the two of you.
Whether it’s calling them away from a busy road or herding them away from mischief, a solid recall can save lives. Plus, it gives your bud more freedom to explore, while you get to relax knowing they’ll always come back when you need them.
When should you start recall training your dog? 🐶
It’s never too early or too late to start recall training, but the earlier, the better. Puppies can begin learning the basics of recall as early as 8 weeks old. But don’t worry if you’ve adopted an adult dog. They can still be trained successfully with some patience. Just remember, it may take a little longer for older dogs to unlearn habits and build new associations. Regardless of your dog’s age, don’t get discouraged — every dog can learn recall with consistent training and positive reinforcement.
DIY Recall Training: Step by Step 🐾
How to get started
Pick the Right Spot: Begin in a calm, quiet, low-distraction area like your living room or backyard.
Introduce the Cue: Call your dog’s name and say your verbal cue of choice (e.g. “Fido, COME!” or “HERE!”) in an upbeat tone. Then move away from them so they chase you.
Celebrate Their Success: When they reach you, reward them with lots of excitement, treats, and affection. Make it a party!
Raise the Bar: Up the ante when they get the hang of it. Try using the verbal cue without showing a treat first. Reward them generously when they respond, reinforcing that coming to you is the best decision ever. We must teach our dogs that being near us is the most fun and safe thing they can do, and that it will also bring them rewards.
Make it a game
Training doesn't have to feel like work — it can be playtime! Make recall training more enjoyable with these fun, interactive recall games:
Hide and Seek: Hide in your home or yard and call your dog. Reward them big when they find you.
Tag Team Recall: Get friends or family involved! Take turns calling your dog and rewarding them when they come.
Fetch with a Twist: Play fetch, but after your dog retrieves the ball, ask them to drop it. Then call them to you before throwing it again. This helps practice recall during exciting moments.
Do’s and Dont’s of Recall Training
Do ✅
Reward eye contact. When your dog checks in with you, make sure to shower them with praise and training treats. It’ll encourage them to stay focused on you.
Practice daily. Consistency is key! Short, fun sessions every day go a long way. Slowly increase the level of distraction but don’t set them up for failure.
Keep the party going. Always pair recall with positive rewards and let your dog go back to playing after they successfully return to you. Never call your dog just to end the fun.
Switch it up! Keep training new and exciting by varying your rewards. Rotate between different treats, toys, praise, and playtime to maintain your dog’s enthusiasm and engagement.
Don’t ❌
Repeat yourself. If you need to repeat yourself, the environment may be too distracting or your bud may not understand the cue well enough yet. Be patient and let your pup figure it out themselves.
Chase them. It’s tempting, but don’t chase your dog if they’re ignoring you. If you require recall in an emergency, the best method is to call their name and run in the opposite direction. This will inspire them to run after you, thinking it’s a game.
Call to end playtime. A common training mistake is to recall your dog, put their leash on and head home. Your dog will start to associate your verbal cue with ending the fun, and reject your recall.
Overuse food. While food can be a powerful motivator, relying solely on treats may cause your dog to expect food-based rewards every time. Eventually, reduce the reliance on food. Instead, mix-in praise, affection, and playtime.
Expert Advice 🤓
Recall training is essential for every pup, but are you starting them off on the right paw? While it may seem straightforward, award-winning trainer Lisa Burton of Listen Dog Training emphasizes that there's more to it than just calling your dog to "come" and rewarding them.
In an Instagram post, recapped by PetsRadar, Burton shares the three core concepts puppies need to learn before they can be taught recall training at a distance: (1) The human is a vending machine. (2) The recall cue is my auditory notification that the vending machine just paid out! (3) The vending machine only pays out within a SUPER close proximity.
“We need the puppy to understand the criteria for a PERFECT recall right from day one. And what is that? A puppy that comes allllll the way in! Not one that runs towards you but then thinks they’ve completed the task when they’re still a foot or so a way — that’s no good in an emergency,” she explains.
Burton recommends her “vending machine” exercise to build a strong association with the recall cue. You’ll call your pup, then reward them with a treat placed between your feet. This encourages them to come all the way in. Once that’s solid, you can start introducing distractions and increase the distance.
Why use training treats? 🦴
If you’re following Burton’s advice and turning into a human vending machine, then you’ll want to use mini training treats. Healthybud’s Mini Training Treats are ideal for the job because they’re only 1-calorie each, meaning you can reward your dog often without worrying about overfeeding, weight gain or disrupting their balanced diet.
Plus, Healthybud’s Mini Training Treats are made with all-natural ingredients like beef and sweet potato, which have a rich, meaty smell your dog will love. This is important because, during training, especially in high-distraction environments, a treat with a strong smell can help recapture your dog’s attention. The more enticing the smell, the easier it is to keep your dog focused on the task at hand. Dogs are more likely to stay engaged when they know a delicious reward is coming their way.
Healthybud treats are also compact and air-dried, so they’re easy to carry around and won’t crumble in your treat pouch — convenient and mess-free!
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FAQs 🤔
🎾 Why is recall training important?
🦴 Recall training ensures your dog’s safety and gives you peace of mind, whether you're at the park, on a hike, or near busy streets.
🎾 How long does it take to train recall?
🦴 It depends on your dog’s age, temperament, and training consistency. Most dogs can learn the basics in a few weeks, but mastering recall in all environments takes time.
🎾 What if my dog gets distracted?
🦴 If your dog gets distracted easily, return to a less stimulating environment and gradually increase the level of distraction. Start in your living room or a quiet backyard, then move to a park with more distractions once they’ve nailed down the basics.
🎾 What if my dog ignores me?
🦴 If your dog ignores you, avoid repeating the cue. Instead, try running in the opposite direction or use a high-pitched, excited tone to grab their attention. Keep training sessions short and fun so your dog doesn’t lose interest. If your dog isn’t responding, reduce distractions or use higher-value rewards.
🎾 Can I use their name as the cue?
🦴 It’s better to pair their name with a cue like “COME” or “HERE” to avoid confusion.
🎾 How do I practice in a safe way off-leash?
🦴 Use a long training leash in open areas to give your dog freedom while maintaining control.
Training Treat Pouch
$14.00 CAD
This light-weight accessory is perfect for training sessions, walks, emergency recall or rewarding good behavior... anytime, anywhere! Zipper Closure: Keeps treats fresh and odor-free Carabiner Clip: Attach to any leash, bag, or belt Soft Silicone: Durable, lightweight, and easy to… read more
Conclusion 💡
With all that in mind, do you think you can figure out how to train your dog to come when called? Training your dog to come when called doesn’t have to be stressful — it can be a fun, bonding experience! By making recall a game, using rewards, and practicing regularly, you’ll build a reliable response that keeps your pup safe and your adventures worry-free. Remember to stay patient, keep it positive, and celebrate every success (Healthybud treats always help). Happy training, #Healthygang!
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Author Bio:
Tanya Lim is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA®) and the founder of Family Pupz, a dog training and doggy doula services company, based in Denver, CO. Specializing in positive-reinforcement and force-free training, Tanya has been working with dogs since 2013, helping dog parents raise well-behaved and happy pups. A Fear-Free Certified Trainer, Tanya is passionate about empowering dog owners with the skills and knowledge they need to live harmoniously with their canine companions.
