Dog Recall Training

Dog recall training in the park is vital to keep him/her and others around you safe.

Find your dog’s hottest motivator and limit access to whatever it is. Use this as your tool in the park.

Be sure your dog knows you have this item/food in your bag when you get to the park.

Your Dog’s Motivators

For many dogs, a good motivator is food, but when you are out it needs to be something very special such as a chilli flavoured frankfurter, smelly cheese, fishy treats or something that is really smelly. To make food work for you make sure you don’t leave food down for your dog all day and be sure to use lower value treats or his/her training in the home.

If your dog likes chasing a ball, keep balls away at home so they only get a ball when you get to the park. When you get there let them have 2 or 3 chases of the ball then put it away, getting it out a bit later on in the park.

You might need several different motivators, build yourself a ‘toolkit’. Things you can keep in a bag ready to go to the park. Limit access to all of these things at home. Take a look at this short video about building a tool kit. 

Keep your Dog Checking in with you

Take your dog to different places. If you go to the same park your dog will get bored and confident, keep them on their toes by taking them to places they don’t know so they needs pay more attention to you.

Constantly change direction in the park or woods without calling them. Teach them to check where you are, not the other way around. When you get to the park, release from the lead should be controlled and the minute you release them, turn and walk away. Let them turn round to see you walking, away in the other direction.

Better still, before giving free ‘dog time,’ do some work with them. Scatter their food, let them search for breakfast, or have a game if your dog is toy motivated. Make you more exciting than anything else going on around.

Long Line Dog Recall Training

You may need to use a long training line to teach your dog to come back when you call him.

Check out this video to help with your long line recall training.

This activity is shown using a long training line, but if you feel it’s safe to do so, maybe start in your garden, try doing the same thing with your dog off lead. Make it exciting, make it fun.

Dog Whistle Training

It would be a good idea to think about whistle training your dog so you have a new tool that he hasn’t learned to ignore.

We use 2111/2 gundog whistles. You need to train the whistle first.

Here’s a video that will help you train your whistle.

The biggest key is finding your dog’s motivators. Use them in the park only. Keep them exciting. Build that tool kit. Think about the things your dog’s breed was bred to do and try to match activities according to his natural instinct.

Need help with training your dog to recall?

Join us for Recall Training Introductory Session

If you prefer, we have an online recall training programme.

Our success with recall is renowned. We have helped many dogs when owners have almost given up.