Recall Training Guide: Teaching a Dog to Come When Called

Step 1. Begin training in a quiet, distraction-free area

When teaching your dog a new skill, start in a quiet, distraction-free environment so it’s easier for them to focus on you and what you’re teaching them to do. If you have 8 to 10 feet of space indoors for training, that’s a great place to start.

Step 2. Use a clear verbal cue like “come” or “here”

Start with a small handful of food and put it right up to your pup’s nose. Say the word “come” or “here” loudly and clearly, then immediately take about six steps back while cheering them on and keeping your hand and lure at their eye level.

As soon as you stop and your dog reaches you, open your hand and let them grab a bite of food while praising them. Then close your hand, say “come” again, and repeat this process. This teaches your dog that the word “come” means to travel to you and get rewarded when they reach you. Repeat about 15 to 20 times.

Tip: As with other training, be sure that you always use the same word and speak in a clear, audible voice.

Step 3. Send away and recall

This is where it gets fun for you and your dog. This step conditions your dog to respond to the recall word from behind, encouraging them to turn and come to you. To start, you’ll need to send them away from you.

Take a small piece of food or treat and show it to your dog — but don’t feed it to them yet. Toss it about six to 10 feet away (at their eye level) and let them go get it. Take a few steps toward your dog (to give yourself room to back up) as they run to the food.

As soon as your dog eats the treat, say your recall word loudly and clearly. When they turn toward you, immediately cheer them on — clap your hands or tap your legs — while you back up a few feet.

When your dog reaches you, reward them and praise them right away. Then show them another piece, toss it out and repeat this process. Aim for 10 to 20 repetitions.

Step 4. Practice increasing distance gradually

Start increasing distance by tossing the food a bit further and also being a bit further away when you call for them. Depending on how quickly your dog is picking up the new skill, add a few feet at a time to help keep them successful.

You can also practice by asking your dog to “come” back and forth between two people, gradually increasing the distance.

Step 5. Introduce distractions gradually

Once you’ve increased the distance, begin gradually introducing distractions by calling your dog to come when they’re mildly distracted or focused on something else in the home. After completing the last two steps and reps, your dog will likely follow you around if you walk around your home. That’s OK — simply ignore them and allow them to become distracted by looking at or focusing on something else.

When your dog begins to walk away or show interest in something else, allow it to happen naturally while you gradually create a bit more distance. Then, say the recall word. As soon as your dog turns toward you, immediately start cheering them on and encourage them by clapping your hands or tapping your legs while stepping backward. Praise and reward your dog the moment they reach you.

Once you’ve built up a reliable recall indoors, it’s time to go outside. Start on a long leash in a yard or another quiet area, and reduce the distance. While training your pup to come when called, each time you change the environment or distractions, reduce the distance — and lower your expectations accordingly.

Use a long leash to guide your dog to you if they don’t respond. If you call your dog and they ignore you, hold the leash taut and slowly walk backward, applying gentle pressure. When your puppy or dog turns toward you, release the pressure and follow the same process as before: back up, cheer them on and reward them when they reach you.

Over time, add more distance and distractions in different environments.

Tip: If your puppy or dog is consistently ignoring you and you are using the long line a lot, move closer, try again and gradually add more distance and distractions as they progress.

Step 6. Make recall fun to encourage willingness

Recall doesn’t have to be all about treats. If your dog loves a certain toy or is highly motivated by praise or their favorite human getting excited with them, those can also serve as rewards for coming when called.

Games like “Find Me” or “Hot Potato” are fun ways to get your pup excited to practice coming when called. For “Find Me,” hide in another room and call your dog to “come.” They’ll have a great time looking for you! For “Hot Potato,” gather three or four people, spread out around the room or yard and take turns calling — and rewarding — your dog as they go to each person.

Common Mistakes When Recall Training Your Dog

Learning recall can be challenging for your dog, and teaching recall can be challenging for you — but missteps can be part of the process. By steering clear of a few common pitfalls, you can help keep training fun, effective and frustration-free.

• Do not repeat “come” over and over again. Your dog will start to tune it out. If you are already at this point, where you find yourself saying “come” several times and your dog may or may not listen, start over with a different word, like “here.”
• Don’t use the leash to pull them all the way to you. Only use the leash to help guide them to take that first step toward you. Apart from your encouragement, you want your dog to finish the movement on their own.
• Never punish your dog for coming to you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how frustrated you get, put on a happy face — your dog should always associate coming to you with good things. Scolding or punishing them when they come to you will break trust and ruin your recall.
• Reward your dog on time, every time (at first). If you stop rewarding your dog altogether too soon, they may lose motivation and stop responding to you. They aren’t ignoring you on purpose; they simply haven’t fully mastered “come” yet. Once your dog is consistently coming when called, begin using random rewards so your dog learns to respond even when food isn’t guaranteed. Think of it like a slot machine: You keep playing because you never know when the reward will come. Your dog doesn’t need a treat every time, but rewarding them often enough can keep them eager and engaged.
• Practice daily. Don’t just use the recall when you need it. Practicing regularly and staying consistent helps your dog understand what’s expected and reinforces good habits before bad ones can form. Short, daily sessions build confidence and strengthen your bond. Consistent cues and rewards can make it easier for your dog to connect the behavior with the outcome — turning training into lasting, reliable skills.
• If there is an emergency and your dog is not coming to you, do not chase them. It’s hard to do when you think your dog is in danger, but turn around and encourage them to chase you by calling their name excitedly and running in the opposite direction.
• Don’t call your dog when you cannot guarantee they’ll listen. For example, if your dog is off-leash in the yard and playing excitedly, avoid using this to practice recall — this can become an opportunity for your dog to ignore you.
• Use a long line when outside. This is your connection to your dog. If they don’t respond, you always have this as a “plan B.” With this leash, you can make sure they still come to you, even from a distance.
• Don'’'t overuse your recall word. Avoid saying “come” just to get their attention or to walk with you. “Come” means to come to you and wait for the next command or release.

Troubleshooting Recall Problems

Even with consistent training, it’s completely normal for even the best doggo to make mistakes or ignore a recall at some point. They might be overly distracted or stimulated by other animals or people, fear or uncertainty, or simply a lack of motivation if the reward isn’t more exciting than the distraction. You may have gotten too far away or put them in too distracting an environment too soon, so going back to the basics can help reinforce their training.

Effective training comes down to understanding your pet’s unique personality and setting them up for success. Choose rewards that truly motivate them — food-driven pets may love treats, while affectionate personalities might prefer praise or petting and playful types may respond best to toys.

Move at a pace your dog can handle. For example, anxious or shy pups may need extra time and reassurance. Start in a quiet space before adding distractions, and use a tone suited to their temperament.

Recall is an important and sometimes difficult command to learn. It may take your puppy weeks or even months of consistent practice to get the hang of it. But if your dog consistently struggles despite your efforts, rule out any medical issues with your veterinarian and then consider working with a certified trainer. They can help identify what’s getting in the way and create a plan to build a stronger, more reliable recall.

Teaching to Come When Called Can Take Patience 

Teaching your dog to come when called can take time, patience and plenty of positive reinforcement, but the payoff can be worth it. A reliable recall can keep your dog safe from danger and can give both of you the freedom to enjoy more adventures together. Remember, consistency is key: Celebrate every success, keep training fun and trust that, with practice, your dog will come running when called.

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Expert Bio

Antonio Diaz, Professional Dog Trainer

Antonio Diaz, founder of Leader of the Pack K9 Training, is a professional dog trainer and behavior expert with more than a decade of experience in rewards-based balanced training and behavior rehabilitation. Known for his clear communication and ability to simplify complex behavioral concepts, he helps owners develop well-mannered dogs through relationship-based leadership. As director of education for the International Association of Canine Professionals, Antonio helps shape industry standards, professional development and ethical training practices. He also creates online courses and serves as a canine subject matter expert for CareCredit.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women’s Health Online, Headspace and more.