pets
Clawmate
Get Started
📢

Recall (Come When Called)

A reliable recall — coming when called, every time, even with distractions — is the most important thing you can teach your dog. It can save their life. It also earns off-leash freedom. Building a bombproof recall takes time and consistency: months, not weeks. Here's how to build it right.

Difficulty: hardTimeframe: 4-8 weeks
📅
4-8 weeks
Basic recall development
📆
Months
For distracting environments
🍗
Chicken
Use better rewards than kibble
🚫
Never
Call for anything unpleasant

🎯 Training Approach

Make Coming the Best Thing Ever

When they come, there should be a PARTY. Best treats, excited praise, play. Coming to you should be the most rewarding thing they do.

Never Call for Something Bad

If you call them for nail trims, baths, or leaving the park, you're poisoning the recall. Go GET them for unpleasant things instead of calling.

Build in Low Distraction First

Start in a boring room with no distractions. Then the backyard. Then an empty field on a long line. Then a busier field. Never test in a harder environment until the current level is solid.

Use a Long Line

A 20-30 foot leash lets you practice in open spaces without risk of chasing. If they don't come, gently reel them in — don't repeat the command. Coming ALWAYS results in praise.

💡 Key Training Tips

1

Start in a boring, distraction-free environment

2

Use high-value treats (chicken, cheese)

3

Never call your dog for something unpleasant

4

Practice on a long line before going off-leash

5

Make coming to you the best thing ever

⚠️Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ❌Repeating the command over and over (teaches them to ignore it)
  • ❌Calling for something unpleasant (bath time, medication, leaving fun situations)
  • ❌Chasing them when they don't come (makes it a game)
  • ❌Poisoning the word by using it in punishment-associated contexts
  • ❌Testing too soon in distracting environments

✅Signs of Progress

  • ✓Your dog responds faster to cues
  • ✓They offer the behavior without being asked
  • ✓Less frustration for both of you
  • ✓The behavior generalizes to new environments

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog knows "come" at home but ignores me at the park!▼
They haven't generalized the behavior. Dogs don't automatically transfer learning from one environment to another. You need to practice in gradually increasing distraction levels. Also, your treats need to be better than whatever's distracting them — use high-value rewards!
How do I practice recall without risking them running away?▼
Use a long line (20-30 foot leash). You can practice in open spaces while retaining control. If they don't come, gently reel them in without saying anything, then praise. Coming should always end in something good.
Should I use the same word if it's already "poisoned"?▼
If your dog completely ignores "come," consider a fresh word ("here," "front," a whistle). Build the new word correctly from scratch. Some trainers recommend this; others say consistency eventually works. Your choice.
Will my dog ever be reliable off-leash?▼
Some dogs, with training, become very reliable. Others have strong prey drive or just too much temptation. No recall is 100% proof against everything. Know your individual dog's limits and don't put them in situations where failure is dangerous.

Need More Training Help?

Our AI can answer specific questions about your dog's behavior and training challenges.

Ask AI Training Questions →← All Dog Training Guides