How to Teach Your Dog Reliable Recall Using The FreeRun Positive Reinforcement Guide

What is a reliable recall? It’s your dog coming immediately when called. This is the single most important behavior you can teach your dog.

If I could choose only one skill for safety, freedom, and real-world reliability, it would be recall. Recall can prevent your dog from running into traffic, chasing wildlife, approaching hazards, or getting lost. It gives you the ability to bring your dog safely back to you when it matters most.

The good news is every dog can learn a reliable recall using positive reinforcement. With the right approach, you can build a recall your dog responds to enthusiastically and consistently — for life.

What Is a Marker Word and Why It Matters

Before teaching recall, it’s essential to understand the role of a marker word.

A marker word is a short, consistent word such as “Yes!” that tells your dog the exact moment they made the correct decision. It bridges the gap between the behavior and the reward, helping your dog understand precisely what earned reinforcement.

For example, when your dog turns and begins running toward you, you say “Yes!” Then you deliver the reward.

Over time, your dog learns:

Marker word → I did the right thing → Reward is coming

This clarity builds confidence, speeds up learning, and strengthens behavior.

The Golden Rule: If You Say It, You Pay It

This is one of the most important rules when using your marker word.

If you say your marker word, you must always reward your dog. Even if you say it accidentally, you still reward.

Your marker word is a promise. Every time you keep that promise, you build trust. That trust becomes the foundation for reliable recall.

Protect the Power of Your Recall Cue

Your recall cue is just as important as your marker word.

Never repeat your recall cue multiple times. Saying “Come, come, come” teaches your dog that the first cue is optional. Your recall cue should be said once, clearly and positively.

If your dog does not respond reliably to your current recall cue, it is often best to choose a new one and start fresh. Many dogs learn to ignore words like “Come” because they have been repeated too often without meaningful reinforcement.

I experienced this firsthand with my own dog, Quinn. When Quinn was a puppy, the word “Come” was used frequently and often repeated. Over time, the word lost its meaning. To reset his recall, I introduced a new cue: “Biscuit.”

Because “Biscuit” was new and consistently paired with high-value rewards, Quinn quickly learned its importance. To this day, “Biscuit” remains his recall cue, and he responds immediately and enthusiastically.

Choosing a fresh recall cue and reinforcing it consistently allows you to rebuild reliability and clarity from the start.

Keep Training Sessions Short and Frequent

Dogs learn best through short, focused sessions.

Aim for:

• 5–10 minutes per session
• Up to three sessions per day

Short sessions prevent mental fatigue and help maintain enthusiasm. Always end while your dog is still engaged and successful.

Consistency and repetition over time build lasting reliability.

Start Indoors: The Come-to-Me Game

The best place to begin recall training is inside your home, where distractions are minimal.

You will need:

• High-value treats (freeze or air-dried liver, beef, chicken, rabbit, venison, or small pieces of low-fat string cheese)
• Or your dog’s favorite toy if they are toy-motivated
• Two people

Stand at opposite ends of a hallway or room.

One person calls the dog using a happy, inviting tone and your recall cue.

The moment your dog commits to coming toward you, say your marker word: “Yes!”

When your dog reaches you, deliver multiple treats (4–5) in a row and praise warmly. This is called a jackpot reward, and it builds strong positive associations.

Then the second person calls the dog and repeats the process.

Continue for 5–10 minutes.

This simple game builds speed, enthusiasm, and understanding.

Turn Recall Into Hide-and-Seek

Once your dog understands the basics, you can make recall even more powerful by turning it into a game.

Ask your dog to stay. If your dog does not yet have a reliable stay, have another person gently hold them.

Move around a corner or into another room, then call your dog.

When your dog finds you, immediately say your marker word and deliver a jackpot reward of treats, praise, or play.

Practice in different rooms and locations throughout your home.

This builds excitement, confidence, and reliability while making recall fun.

Use High-Value Rewards That Matter to Your Dog

The strength of your recall depends on the quality of your reward.

Excellent food rewards include:

• Air or Freeze-Dried Chicken
• Air or Freeze-Dried Liver
• Air or Freeze-Dried Beef
• Air or Freeze-Dried Rabbit
• Air or Freeze-Dried Venison
• Low-Fat String Cheese

If your dog prefers toys, use:

• Tug toys
• Balls
• Favorite play objects

Your dog should feel that coming to you is the best possible decision they could make.

Gradually Add Distractions

Move to the Yard

Once your dog reliably responds indoors, begin practicing in your yard.

Your yard introduces natural distractions such as smells, sounds, and movement.

Repeat the same exercises you practiced indoors:

• Come-to-Me Game
• Hide-and-Seek Recall
• Marker Word Timing
• Jackpot Rewards

This teaches your dog that recall applies everywhere.

Practice Outdoors with a Long Line

Once your dog is reliable in your yard, begin practicing in parks, trails, or other outdoor environments.

For safety, use a long line (typically 15–30 feet in length).

A long line allows your dog freedom while ensuring you maintain control as they learn. It prevents your dog from practicing ignoring your recall cue and keeps them safe during training.

Allow your dog to explore. Then call them using your recall cue.

When they turn and come to you, immediately use your marker word and reward generously.

This builds reliable recall in real-world environments.

Protect and Maintain Your Recall Cue

• Always reward your dog when they come when called.
• Your recall cue should always predict something positive.
• Avoid calling your dog for unpleasant experiences without rewarding afterward.

Your dog should learn that coming to you always leads to safety, trust, and reward.

Reliable Recall Creates Freedom, Safety, and Trust

A reliable recall gives your dog freedom while giving you peace of mind.

It strengthens communication, builds trust, and provides a critical safety behavior that can protect your dog in unexpected situations.

Reliable recall is built through:

• Positive reinforcement
• Short, consistent training sessions
• High-value rewards
• Gradual introduction of distractions
• Patience and consistency

Start indoors. Build success gradually. Use a long line for safety. Reward generously.

And always remember the rule:

If you say it, you pay it.

That promise builds the trust and reliability that creates a rock-solid recall your dog can depend on for life.

Be Patient — Progress Takes Time

Building a reliable recall takes time, consistency, and patience. Rome was not built in a day, and neither is a rock-solid recall.

Some dogs begin responding reliably within a few weeks, while others may take longer to build understanding, confidence, and trust. Progress is rarely perfectly linear, and every dog learns at their own pace.

Stay consistent, keep sessions positive and rewarding, and celebrate the small wins along the way. With time and repetition, your dog will learn that coming to you is always the best choice — every time.

Happy Training.