I know, another training plan with a neat calendar attached to it. Bear with me — this one is structured around how recall is actually learned, not how quickly people want it to be learned.
What You Need Before Starting
- High-value treats the dog goes crazy for (not their regular kibble)
- A 15-30 foot long line
- A consistent recall word you haven't used and abused yet
- 5-10 minutes per day
Week 1: Building the Foundation (Indoors, No Distractions)
Days 1-3: At home, inside. Say your recall word once, back away from the dog. When they reach you, jackpot reward — 5 treats delivered rapidly, enthusiastic praise. Keep each session to 10-15 repetitions. End while the dog is still enthusiastic. Goal: dog is running to you reliably in a familiar space.
Days 4-7: Add distance. Move to opposite ends of the hallway, different rooms. Practice recalls when the dog isn't already looking at you — catch them doing something else first. Same word, same jackpot. If the dog hesitates, move away from them (backward movement is compelling) rather than repeating the cue.
Week 2: Moving Outside, Long Line On
Days 8-11: First outdoor sessions in your yard or a quiet outdoor space. Long line on. Same word, same jackpot. Expect more distraction — the dog may respond slower. Don't repeat the cue if they're slow. If needed, apply gentle pressure on the long line to help them come. Still jackpot when they arrive.
I go deeper on this in emergency recall.
Days 12-14: Increase distance on the long line in the yard. Practice recalls while the dog is lightly distracted — sniffing near you but not fixated on anything. Vary the time between your cue and the dog being in position before cuing.
Week 3: Adding Mild Distractions
Days 15-18: Find a park or open area with occasional mild distractions (distant people, occasional dogs far off). Practice recalls when the dog notices something but hasn't fixated on it. Success rate may drop compared to indoor/yard work. That's normal and expected.
Days 19-21: Practice recalls while another person is present and talking to the dog. Practice calling the dog away from sniffing a particularly interesting spot. Jackpot every success, especially when the dog had to choose to leave something interesting.
Week 4: Building Reliability and Variation
Days 22-25: Practice in a different location. New park, different section of neighborhood, a friend's yard. New environments often reset progress temporarily — don't be discouraged. Work at close distance in the new environment before extending.
Days 26-28: Practice recalls with slightly higher-value distractions — a mild food scatter on the ground nearby, a friendly dog at 40+ feet. Long line still on as a safety net. Focus on making your side irresistible — run away from the dog when you call, squat down with excitement, deliver an enormous jackpot.
Days 29-30: Assessment. In a familiar environment, try three recalls with the dog mildly distracted. Success rate of 8/10 or better means you've built a solid foundation. Move to proofing further distractions over the next weeks and months.
After Day 30
The complete recall guide covers the longer proofing process. The work past 30 days is about expanding environments and distraction levels methodically. Making it a game with recall games helps keep practice fresh.
Thirty days builds the foundation. The recall is maintained for the rest of the dog's life. Start now, and stay consistent.