How to Teach Your Dog to Come When Called

In this guide, we’ll show you how to teach a dog to come reliably with a mix of recall training games, long-line practice, and smart reward strategies.

If you could only train one cue, recall (coming when called) might be the winner. It keeps your dog safe, unlocks off-lead freedom (where legal and safe), and makes adventures way more fun.

What “Reliable Recall” Really Means

A “reliable recall” is when you call and your dog enthusiastically chooses you over distractions. That happens when your dog believes: You = Best Party in Town. Treats, praise, play, and a happy reunion beat everything else.

Golden Rules for Recall Success

  • Start easy. Train in a low-distraction room first; then the yard; then quiet parks; then busier places.
  • Set your dog up to win. Only call when you’re certain you can reward success. If not, go get them instead.
  • Never punish a recall. Even if they took ages, praise when they arrive.
  • Don’t overuse the cue. No “come, come, come!” on repeat. Say it once when they’re already turning toward you.
  • Don’t end the fun every time. Occasionally, call your dog, reward, then release them to play again.
  • Use the right gear. A long training line attached to a harness or a wider collar keeps practice safe.
  • Keep your vibe happy. Make your voice say “fun over here!”, your enthusiasm is the reward.

The 6-Step Quick-Start Plan (Begin Indoors)

  1. Show the incentive. Flash a top-tier treat or favourite toy.
  2. Move away + call once. Take a couple of steps back, say your dog’s name + your cue (“Come!”) in a fun tone.
  3. Collar touch + reward. Gently touch the collar, then pay with the treat or toy.
  4. Add distance. Practice across rooms and doorways.
  5. Add a helper. Take turns holding and calling your dog back and forth, pay every arrival.
  6. Go outside (safely). Start in your garden, then move to a quiet area outside your home, and finally to a busier park—always on a long line. Build up distractions slowly.

Pro Tips

1) Long-Line Rule

Practice on a 5-10m long line until your dog comes every single time in that environment. Don’t “burn” your recall word off-lead too soon.

2) Make Rewards Exciting (and Variable)

Sometimes pay one treat, other times a whole handful, keep your dog guessing. That “slot-machine” unpredictability makes recalls extra motivating (there’s a reason gambling hooks us!)

3) The “$50 Bet” Rule

Only use your recall in public if you’d bet $50 your dog will listen. If you’re not there yet, walk over to them instead of calling.

4) Special Treat for “Come”

Reserve an uber-special reward only for recalls—chicken, cheese, or your pup’s all-time favourite. Make “come” feel like winning the lottery.

5) Never Chase, Let Them Chase You

Dogs love chase. If your dog hesitates, turn and run away happily. Most pups will sprint after you.

6) Always Praise Recall

No matter how long it took, or even if they just scared you by putting themselves in danger, coming to you is sacred. Celebrate it every time: praise, treat, play. Never scold or punish after a return, or your dog will learn that coming to you predicts something unpleasant and be less likely to do it next time.

Fun Recall Games (Make Training a Party)

  • Catch Me: On-lead, get eye contact, call once, then jog a few steps away. Reward at your legs, touch the collar, then release to play. Keep the leash loose; add small zigzags as they improve.
  • Find Me: Hide in another room or behind a tree. Call once; throw a party when they find you.
  • Hot Potato: Two or more people stand apart. Take turns calling your dog over and reward with treats when they do.
  • Follow Me: Drop a treat, stroll away, mark and reward when they catch up. Add turns and distractions over time.

Avoid “Poisoning” Your Cue

If “Come!” has turned into background noise, switch to a new cue (e.g., “Here!”), then rebuild from easy to hard. Say it once, when your dog is already moving toward you, and pay big.

Troubleshooting (Fast Fixes)

  • They ignore you? Environment is too hard. Go easier, reduce distance, increase reward value.
  • They dodge your hand? Practice collar touches: touch collar → treat, repeat from different angles.
  • Recall = end of fun? Mix in recalls where you reward, then release back to play.

When to Level Up

Progress when your dog is 80–90% successful at the current level (on the long line) and you’d stake that “$50 bet.” If not, keep practicing as success builds momentum.

Wrap-Up: Make Coming to You the Best Part of Their Day

Reliable recall comes from practice, play, and pay. Use a long line, keep rewards exciting, avoid repeating cues, and protect the magic of “come.” Do that, and your dog will choose you—even when the world is wonderfully distracting.

Ready to train in style? Clip a 5m long dog lead or 10m long dog lead to a comfy harness or a secure Mighty Tiga collar, and get practicing.

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