Introduction

At Lola’s House, we believe that everyday training is about building a relationship—not just ticking off commands on a list. One of the most important (and often misunderstood) parts of that relationship is recall—your dog’s ability to return to you when called, no matter what’s going on around them.

We’re sharing what we’ve learned through our training and experience, not just to help others, but to help ourselves solidify the knowledge too. Every article in our series is written with real-life scenarios in mind and from a place of empathy—for both humans and dogs. As we always say: training starts with the owner.

So let’s take a deep dive into one of the most vital commands your dog can learn—recall. When done right, it builds trust, keeps your dog safe, and makes your walks together feel relaxed and joyful.

Why Recall Matters

The term recall simply means that your dog comes back to you when asked. It might sound basic, but it can be the difference between a peaceful walk and a full-on panic.

A strong recall gives your dog freedom—freedom to run, sniff, and explore off lead—while giving you peace of mind. Dogs that can roam and follow their noses often come home calmer, more tired, and mentally enriched. But more importantly, recall can be life-saving.

We saw this first-hand with our own dog, Lola. Years ago, during a walk in the park, she spotted a flock of birds and bolted after them (classic Cocker Spaniel behaviour). What we didn’t realise was that the birds were headed straight for the road. Lola, in full chase mode, followed. Thankfully, Chloe was able to call her back just in time. That moment cemented for us how critical recall is—not just for training, but for safety.

Step 4: Be Loud, Fun, and Engaging

Recall is the one time in training where we throw the calm, neutral tone out the window. You’re competing with squirrels, birds, smells, dogs, and people. You need to be more interesting than all of that.

Be loud (but friendly), playful, and enthusiastic. Your dog should hear “Here!” and think, Yes! That’s my favourite word!

Step 5: Practice on Every Walk

Recall isn’t a “set it and forget it” command. It’s something you should reinforce every time you walk.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Use your recall command every 20-30 seconds during off-lead time.
• Keep your dog in a habit of checking in and never straying too far.
• Vary your rewards so it doesn’t become predictable or boring.
• Sometimes offer food, other times toys or praise.

This not only reinforces the behaviour—it also keeps your dog mentally engaged with you during walks.

Step 6: Reducing the Help Over Time

As your dog becomes more consistent, start to reduce your cues:

• Stop pulling on the long line.
• Reduce the exaggerated arm waving.
• Say “Here!” just once and see what happens.

Over time, your dog should respond to your voice alone. That’s the goal: a calm, consistent recall that works in real-life situations.

Step 7: The First Off-Lead Trial

Once your dog is responding well on the long line, it’s time to trial off-lead recall—but we recommend doing this in a secure dog-walking field first.

These enclosed areas are perfect for a safe test run. You can usually hire them for around £10 an hour, and they’re well worth it for your peace of mind.

Don’t be surprised if your dog “forgets” everything on the first go. This is totally normal. New freedom can be overwhelming. If they ignore you, stay calm. Reconnect, clip them back on, and try again in five minutes. Celebrate every win.

Step 8: When to Use High-Value Rewards

If your dog’s struggling to respond consistently, up the ante. Try:

• Small cubes of cooked chicken
• Their favourite treat
• Their favourite toy (for toy-driven dogs)

The reward should be something they never get elsewhere—something worth breaking away from a squirrel for.

Practice Makes Pawfect

We know it’s a cliché, but it’s true—practice really does make pawfect. And with recall, consistency is everything.

Don’t just wait until your dog is 50 metres away and sprinting toward a flock of geese before using it. Use it often. Use it when they’re only a few steps away. Use it even when they’re already coming to you.

That way, the command becomes part of their everyday vocabulary—not just something you shout when you’re panicking.

When Is It Safe to Let Your Dog Off Lead?

This is a tricky one. Technically, the law only states that a dog must not be “dangerously out of control.” But that’s incredibly vague. So instead, we use our three-step test before letting any dog off lead:

    1. Is it an open, safe space?

Only consider letting your dog off in large fields or parks. Never near roads, car parks, or livestock. Avoid places with blind corners where a sudden trigger might appear.

    2. Has your dog been there before—on lead?

New places are very exciting for dogs. Always walk a new area on lead several times before attempting off-lead recall. Familiarity builds confidence and focus.

    3. Are there any obvious triggers around?

Triggers could be:

• Other dogs (especially on lead)
• Children playing
• Water (ponds, rivers)
• Squirrels or birds
• Joggers or cyclists

If any are nearby, clip your dog back on. Safety first, always.

Final Thoughts

A strong recall takes time—but it’s absolutely worth the effort. It’s one of the most rewarding pieces of training you can do. It gives your dog freedom and safety, and it gives you confidence as an owner.

But more than that, recall is a conversation. It says: I trust you, and I want to be with you. That connection doesn’t come from shouting louder or punishing failure. It comes from showing your dog that coming back to you is always a good idea.

If you're working on recall and need advice tailored to your dog, feel free to reach out at lola@lolashouse.co.uk. We’re always here to help.

To learn more about what we do at Lola's House, visit our homepage.