How to Teach a Reliable Recall – and Get Your Dog to Come Every Time

Getting your dog to come when called isn’t just convenient — it’s essential. It can mean the difference between a fun day at the park, a lost dog, or even an emergency. So why does your dog sometimes act like they’ve gone deaf the moment you call their name? And more importantly — how do you fix it?

Let’s break down why dogs ignore recall commands and how to build a response you can truly rely on.

Why Your Dog Doesn’t Come When Called

1. They Don’t Fully Understand What “Come” Means

Many owners believe their dog knows the recall command — but most only understand it in limited situations, such as at home or in the garden. That’s called context-based behaviour, and it means your dog doesn’t yet know that “come” means come every time, no matter where they are.

Fix it: Retrain the recall in different environments — indoors, then the garden, then a quiet park, and gradually add distractions. Use a long line for safety, and practice until your dog succeeds every time before moving to the next step. Repetition builds reliability.

2. “Come” Has Become a Negative Word

If you only call your dog when you’re about to end their playtime, bathe them, or clip their nails, they’ll quickly learn that “come” = something unpleasant.

Fix it: Call your dog for positive reasons — meals, play, affection, or random treats. Sometimes call them, reward them, and then let them go back to playing. That teaches them that coming to you doesn’t always mean the fun ends.

3. You’re Competing With Something More Exciting

Let’s be honest — you’re rarely more interesting than a squirrel, another dog, or a good smell in the grass.

Fix it: Make yourself worth coming to. Use high-value rewards (chicken, cheese, liver), an upbeat tone, and plenty of praise. Act like seeing them made your day — because to your dog, enthusiasm matters more than words.

4. You Haven’t Practised Enough

A few recall attempts at puppy class won’t cut it. Dogs need hundreds of successful repetitions before a command becomes instinctive.

Fix it: Practice short recall sessions every day — five minutes, several times a day, is perfect. Turn it into a game: hide and seek, family recall races, or calling between two people. Make training fun, frequent, and rewarding.

5. You Keep Repeating Yourself

“Come… come here… come on… COME!” Sound familiar? Repeating commands only teaches your dog that they don’t need to listen until the fifth time.

Fix it: Say the command once. If they don’t respond, help them — shorten the distance, use a leash, or grab their attention with a sound. Then reward generously when they come. They’ll soon learn that one call means it’s time to move.

6. You Don’t Reward Consistently

Strong recall is built on positive reinforcement. If your dog sometimes gets rewarded for coming — and sometimes doesn’t — they’ll stop seeing it as worthwhile.

Fix it: Reward every recall at first — treats, play, or affection. Once your dog is consistent, you can switch to random rewards, but always make coming to you a good experience.

Building a Rock-Solid Recall: Step-by-Step

If your recall is unreliable or you’re starting from scratch, follow this structure:

Step 1: Choose a Fresh Cue (Optional)

If “come” is overused or ignored, try a new word like “here” or “to me,” or use a whistle. Just be consistent.

Step 2: Start Indoors

Call your dog from a few steps away with an excited voice. When they come, reward immediately. Repeat several times.

Step 3: Add Distance and Movement

Increase the challenge — call them from another room, or when they’re moving away. Always make it rewarding.

Step 4: Go Outdoors, But Controlled

Use a long line in your garden or a quiet field. Call, guide them if needed, and praise when they reach you.

Step 5: Add Real-Life Distractions

Slowly build up to harder environments — other dogs, smells, people, toys. Don’t rush this step; control and success build confidence.

Step 6: Keep Rewards Random

Once they’re reliable, reward randomly but often. Your dog should always think, “Maybe this time it’s a jackpot!”

Bonus Tips for Reliable Recall

• Never punish your dog for coming to you — even if they took ages. Coming to you must always feel safe.

• Use recall games. Run the other way, hide behind a tree, or play tag — dogs love the chase!

• Keep sessions short and positive. End every session on success.

• Teach an emergency recall. Use a special word (like “NOW!”) only in real emergencies, paired with huge rewards.

Final Thoughts

A perfect recall isn’t about dominance or obedience — it’s about trust, clarity, and consistency .When your dog truly believes that coming to you is always rewarding, they’ll start doing it naturally — not out of fear, but out of trust.

Put in the practice, celebrate small wins, and make every recall worth it. Soon, your dog won’t think twice before running straight back to you — no matter what’s around.

🐾 Ready to build a recall you can rely on?

Join my Recall Training Course here → https://www.dogbehaviouristonline.co.uk/challenge-page/recall-training

Why Your Dog Refuses to Come When Called – And How to Fix It