April 28, 2025, 2:22 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
The prerequisite for letting your dog run completely off-leash is a reliable recall. However, many dog owners struggle with this. Often, they call after their dog, who ignores them, and eventually, the owner ends up chasing their pet to catch them. Dog trainer and PETBOOK author Katharina Marioth shares how you can ensure your dog happily and consistently returns to you.
A reliable recall for a dog is the pinnacle of training. Especially when spring begins, the challenges for dog owners to safely call their pets increase. The breeding and setting season brings many new stimuli for our dogs: wild animals raise their young, birds nest in low bushes, and there are a plethora of new scents that are extremely exciting for our four-legged friends. During this sensitive time, it’s particularly important to be able to recall the dog safely to protect wildlife and prevent the dog from getting into dangerous situations. Consistent recall training is therefore essential. In this article, I will explain how to reliably build recall using a long line, orientation training, and targeted exercises — and what most people do wrong when recalling their dog.
Clear Communication and Positive Reinforcement
A secure recall begins with a stable foundation. Dogs need to learn that returning to their human is always rewarding. This requires clear communication and positive reinforcement. Many dog owners make the mistake of only calling the dog when danger is imminent or when the walk is ending. This leads the dog to associate the recall with negative consequences and possibly ignore it. Instead, recall should be practiced regularly and in different situations.
Using a Long Line
The long line is a valuable tool for training recall under controlled conditions. It gives the dog freedom of movement while the owner can still exert influence. The length of the long line should be adjusted individually, with five to ten meters usually being a good choice. The line should always be attached to a harness and not a collar to avoid injuries.
Initially, training takes place in a low-distraction environment so the dog is not distracted by external influences. The dog is allowed to move freely, and the owner calls it with a clear command, such as “Here” or “To me.” As soon as the dog takes the first step toward the owner, it is immediately praised and rewarded. It is important that the reward is high-quality. Particularly tasty treats, a favorite toy, or a short play session increase motivation.
If the dog does not respond immediately, the long line can be gently used to get it moving. Once the dog reaches the owner, it is joyfully received and given its reward. This is reinforced through many repetitions.
Recall with Distractions
Once the dog has internalized the first steps, the training can become more challenging. Now, recall should also be practiced with distractions. It helps to train in various environments, such as forests, meadows, or parks. Other dogs or playing children are also possible distractions. It is important that the distraction is not too great so the dog continues to have successful experiences. If the recall is not followed, there should be no scolding. Instead, the training is stepped back and practiced in simpler situations.
Orientation Training
In addition to the long line, orientation training plays a significant role. Dogs that orient themselves to their owner remain recallable even in difficult situations. Training begins with the person making themselves more interesting to the dog than the environment. A simple exercise is to unexpectedly change direction when the dog is not paying attention to the owner. This trains the dog to regularly check in with their human.
Another option is to briefly hide, so the dog learns that it is their task to pay attention to the owner. Of course, this should only be done in safe environments. Over time, the dog develops a stronger bond and remains attentive even without a leash.
The Recall Must Always Be Pleasant for the Dog
Another important point for a secure recall is positive association. The recall must always be associated with something pleasant for the dog. If the dog knows that after the recall it only goes home or the leash is put on, it will avoid it. Instead, the dog should be allowed to run again or receive a reward after each successful recall. This teaches the dog that it is worthwhile to come.
Especially during the breeding and setting season, it is also useful to focus on alternatives to controlling hunting behavior. Retrieval games, tracking work, or controlled hunting substitute games can help keep the dog occupied and channel the hunting instinct into controlled paths.
Special Signal for the “Super Recall”
For dogs that are particularly motivated by hunting, it can be useful to establish a special signal as a “super recall.” This can be a dog whistle or a special word used exclusively for emergencies. This signal is initially associated with an extremely high reward, such as a special food portion or an intense play session. The dog learns that this signal always means something truly great. It is practiced in relaxed situations and only then used in challenging environments.
A common problem is that dogs refuse the recall when they are engaged in something exciting. Here, using a competitive behavior can help. A trick is to play with an interesting object yourself or pretend to have discovered something particularly exciting. Dogs are curious and often come on their own. Alternatively, a second recall signal can be used, combined with a movement, such as running in the opposite direction.
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Conclusion
Training for a secure recall in dogs requires patience and consistency. There are setbacks, and not every dog will respond perfectly right away. It is important to keep training sessions short and positive. Those who invest a few minutes daily will see significant progress in the long run. Especially during the breeding and setting season, it is advisable not to let the dog run uncontrolled but to consciously work on its behavior. The combination of long-line training, orientation training, and positive reinforcement leads to a reliable recall and ensures that walks remain relaxed and safe even during this sensitive time.
About the Author: Katharina Marioth is a certified dog trainer and behavior assessor for dangerous dogs in Berlin. In her daily work, she collaborates closely with veterinarians, scientists, and other specialists on dog-related topics.