How To Teach A Reliable Recall

[Top Barks]

Start her on her way with the line by walking backwards before whistling. The idea of this training is that you don't give the whistle chance to fail.
Don't blow the whistle till she's on her way, reward with the best treats and then run over to where she was sniffing with her and tell her to sniff.
by doing this she gets a double whammy of rewards and you put the sniffing on cue.

[Scarlett]

It's clear!!!
And sounds easy!! Thanks!!!

[Petepreston]

Thanks for that update. It's the only time that Posie isn't instantly coming to the whistle.

I usually let her go to meet other dogs but blow when she gets halfway to them. She almost always comes back to me, then I let her go all the way over. I haven't been as strict with the training as I should but it's worked out well by using most of your tips most of the time. I have no doubt it would've been much better if I'd followed it word for word, it's just a bit harder for me.

Well done to Scarlet, too.

[Fudgeley]

Off to find my whistle and get started! I never whistle trained Fudge so it will be interesting to see how we get on with Buttons!

[Petepreston]

I met a woman today who had a 2 year old show Cocker (though he looked more like a working) and she was struggling with some of his training, but when I whistled for Posie to come & sit, he paid attention to me and even allowed me to approach without him barking, which she said was very unusual. I suppose you've either got it or you haven't, eh?

I recommended she get's a whistle and get's started with this instruction.

Thanks again TopBarks. This has been a very helpful page.

[Scarlett]

today it was Scarlett's first day in the woods without leash after her season...
The whistle worked great even when she met the birds she loves chasing!

I am so proud of my girl!!!!! 
It was so funny as everybody looking at me with my pink whistle thought I am a trainer and Scarlett, my well trained dog

Thanks again Mark.....

[Scarlett]

the whistle is not only good & reliable for your dog, but also your friends' dogs!
I always use it in the woods when I go with my friend and her Beagle boy! We never trained him, but when he hears the whistle now, he comes too to take his special treat! 
Imagine a Beagle boy making a perfect recall!!! 

[Top Barks]

You should see my 10 week old pup on the whistle He is already awesome!

[Scarlett]

You should see my 10 week old pup on the whistle He is already awesome!

they learn so fast!!!
I think I will charge all dog owners following my whistle

[tritonx]

Just want to say how well your method works Top Barks. I have been slow to let Fraser off leash as he has been such a distractible pup and it's taken a long time to get his attention turned to me. For a few months I've been taking him to a field and practicing recall, making sure he's already on his way toward me when I call. Increasingly I've taken him to trails and beaches and letting him off leash to ramble about (he's now 21 months) and he's been terrific at recall. He also checks in frequently which I reward with praise each time. Thanks for posting your method. It's really effective.

[Hojo]

Do you recommend starting this method straight away for a young pup? (mine is 11wks)

I was just wondering whether the fact that she is still young and unpredictable will undermine the importance of this?

[Helen]

Do you recommend starting this method straight away for a young pup? (mine is 11wks)

I was just wondering whether the fact that she is still young and unpredictable will undermine the importance of this?

yes, she will actually be far more responsive now than in a few months when she goes through adolescence    It's good to get the groundwork in place so you can reinforce over the next year (or so....  )

[cangrejo]

The treat thing definitely works, we use small pieces of freshly cooked chicken and only ever for recall.  Charlie used to be absolutely useless especially if there was another dog around who was way more interesting than us, we introduced chicken into the recall and boy does he come running - even when there are other dogs around 

[Luke1989]

Thankyou this is some brilliant advice ! Really appreciate this help 

[black taz]

I have noticed quite a lot of new puppies here recently and i would recommend that new owners start following these instructions from day 1, and make the most of the 3 weeks before the new pups go out and explore the new world.

I did with my Lab (now 21 months) and her recall is really good, far better than Taz, and i don't seem to have to keep going back and retraining her (where i do with Taz).  I suspect some is down to breed/personality, but i so wish i had spent more time on recall when we first had Taz (my previous dog had never had a recall problem and I incorrectly assumed Taz would follow her lead)