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Teach your dog to come when called

A recall is a habit of turning towards you because it has always paid off. Build it where it is easy, and protect the word from ever meaning 'the fun is over'.

  1. Choose a word only for recall

    Such as 'Here!'. If 'Come' already means 'maybe later' to your dog, start fresh with a new word.

  2. Use extra tasty treats

    Small pieces of chicken or cheese, kept for recall alone.

  3. Say it in a happy voice, then step backward

    Moving away draws your dog in. Reward the moment they reach you.

  4. Let your dog go back to play

    Recall must not always end the fun. Call, reward, release, many times on every walk.

  5. Use a long line outdoors

    Don't let your dog off the leash in open areas before the recall is reliable.

By breed group. Sighthounds can sprint after anything that moves, and scent hounds may not hear you over a smell: use a long line or a fenced field and treat off-leash as a risk, not a goal.

Never call your dog to you for something they dislike, such as a bath or a telling-off. Go and fetch them instead.

A first recall is in Sitspark's free first class; the Reliable Recall class adds distance and distractions. The first class and the first lesson of every class are free, with no account.

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