Mastering Recall: Why It Fails and How to Get It Right

Sheffield Dog Training
Oct 16
3 min read

If your dog seems to have selective hearing the moment you unclip the lead, you’re not alone. Recall is one of the most vital skills your dog can learn – but also one of the hardest to master. Here at Sheffield Dog Training, we work closely with owners to build strong, reliable recall behaviours through force-free, practical methods.

Let’s take a look at why recall often breaks down and what you can do to improve it.

Why Recall Matters

A good recall means more than just coming back when called. It’s about keeping your dog safe around traffic, other dogs, or wildlife. It gives your dog the freedom to explore while giving you peace of mind. Without a reliable recall, many owners feel anxious or avoid letting their dog off lead altogether.

Why Recall Fails

There are a few key reasons recall often goes wrong:

You only call your dog when the fun ends If you only use recall when the walk is over or it’s time for the lead to go back on, your dog might learn that coming back means the fun stops.
Low value rewards If your dog is chasing a squirrel or playing with another dog, dry kibble won’t cut it. High distractions need high value rewards.
No training in real environments Practising in your lounge is a great start – but dogs don’t generalise well. You need to practise recall in a variety of places, slowly increasing distractions.
Inconsistency If you sometimes reward and sometimes don’t, or if other family members use different cues, your dog might become confused or learn to ignore you.

How to Build a Reliable Recall

We teach recall step-by-step in both our Puppy Life Skills and Junior Life Skills courses. Here are a few of our favourite tips:

1. Build positive associations with their name Start with the Name Game. Say your puppy's name and immediately follow it with a treat or a fun game. Do this regularly to create strong positive connections.

2. Add a recall cue Use a consistent word like “Come” or a whistle. Always reward when your dog comes to you. Don’t call them if you’re not sure they’ll respond – it’s better to go back to basics than to teach them to ignore you.

3. Use long lines Practise in open areas with your dog on a long line. Let them explore, then call them back and reward. Gradually increase the challenge.

4. Use the “This Way” or “Let’s Go” cue This is a brilliant way to change direction without shouting or chasing. Your dog learns that following you brings rewards.

5. Play recall games Make it fun! Games like ping-pong recall, hide and seek, or the 1-2-3 game create reliability under pressure and build engagement.

6. Reward generously When your dog comes back to you, act like they just won the lottery. Use sausage, cheese or a favourite toy. Make yourself more exciting than the environment.

What If Your Dog Still Struggles?

Don’t panic. Every dog is different and recall takes time. If your dog is easily distracted, fearful, or simply ignoring you, we recommend:

Booking a 1-to-1 recall session to tailor the training to your dog’s needs
Joining our Junior Life Skills course for real-life practice in a small, supportive group