·         You probably call your dog’s name twenty times per day, each of these can be used to practise and reinforce the new command.  Make sure every time you call him he receives something fantastic for coming to you, i.e. his dinner, a walk, a fun game...anything your dog values. 

·         Act as if he has done the ‘best thing in the world’ by coming and give him loads of praise and treats.

·         If he doesn’t come, do not keep calling him, instead find where he is and make him aware that you have something for him to encourage him to come to you. 

·         If you need to retrieve him for something he doesn’t like, for example, nail clipping or bathing, do not call him.  Simply go and get him.

·         Practice until your dog will come running to you from anywhere in the house or garden.

·        Once he has perfected the recall at home, you can start to reward only his better performances, sometimes introducing ‘jackpots’ (lots of treats) for excellent recalls.

·         If your dog has an unreliable recall, do not let your dog off-lead in unsecure areas.  Try to find enclosed spaces, such as a tennis court or an indoor riding school, to practice your recalls.

·         Make sure your treats are extra tasty, i.e., chicken, hot dogs or liver.

·         On walks, continue to reward every time he comes back until he performs it perfectly.  To increase his chances of success, initially, only call him back when he is likely to come, e.g. when he is already running towards you or after a play session with another dog.  Set him up for success and praise and reward enthusiastically each time he comes back.

·         Ensure you call him back numerous times on a walk, not just when it is time to go home so he doesn’t associate coming to you and ‘home-time’.  Practice taking him by the collar before you give him the treat and occasionally clip him onto his lead for a few moments before letting him go.

·         If you need to use ‘long-line’ or ‘flexilead’, use as has been directed by a qualified trainer/behaviourist and continue calling your dog back numerous times on a walk.

·         As your dog progresses, continue to call him away from more difficult situations.  For example, you could set up meetings with friends dogs and practice calling him away from them (on a line if necessary) and rewarding heavily, then allow him to go back to the other dog. 

·         Make your walks interesting, take a favourite toy with you, play games such as hide and seek and change direction often – so your dog find you interesting rather than look to their environment for entertainment.

·         Once your dog is performing perfectly, as with at home, begin to reward only his best performances and introduce ‘jackpots’ for the excellent recalls.

 PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT!