Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called
In this guide
Recall — coming back when called — is one of the most important things you can teach a dog. It allows freedom off lead and can prevent accidents.
Many dogs learn that “come” means the fun ends. Training changes that.
Make coming back worth it
Use high-value rewards: small pieces of chicken, cheese, or a favourite toy. Every time your dog comes back, it should be the best thing that happened in that moment. Never call your dog to punish them or to do something unpleasant.
Step-by-step
- Start indoors with no distractions, saying your recall word once and rewarding immediately
- Practise in the garden, then in quiet outdoor areas
- Use a long line (5–10 metres) in open spaces for safety
- Gradually increase distractions and distance
- Call your dog back several times on a walk, reward, and let them go again
Common mistakes
Repeating the cue many times teaches the dog to ignore it. Chasing a dog turns it into a game. Calling only at the end of a walk links recall with going home. Avoid letting your dog off lead before recall is reliable.
Breeds and instincts
Hounds and some working breeds have strong instincts to follow scents or chase. They may need more training and may never be safe off lead near livestock or roads. That is okay — long lines and secure fields give freedom safely.
Keep practising
Recall needs topping up throughout a dog’s life. Keep rewarding, even for older dogs who already know it.
This is general pet-care information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different — if you are worried about your pet's health or behaviour, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency or a suspected poisoning, call your vet or an animal poison-control line immediately.