7 Recall Tips That Work: Because Yelling ‘Come!’ 20 Times Isn’t a Training Plan

Why Yelling ‘Come!’ Won’t Compete With Rabbit Poop

Hey, humans. It’s me—your dog. The one who gives you that “you must be joking” look every time you yell, “Come!” while I’m knee-deep in sniffing something truly life-changing. Look, I know you’re frustrated. You’re probably standing there thinking, “Why won’t this dog just listen to me?!” And honestly? I get it.

But here’s the thing: coming when called isn’t some instinctual magic button you press and voilà, here I am. It takes training—and, yeah, I hate to break it to you, but that means you’ve got some work to do.

Let’s be real: when I’m out there living my best life, I’m not going to drop everything just because you think I should. You really think you can compete with the smell of rabbit poop? Sorry, but no.

If you want me to come when called, you’ve got to make it worth my while. Don’t worry—it’s totally possible to turn me into a recall rockstar. You just need a game plan. So, grab some treats, sit, stay, and let me break it down for you.

Tip 1: Stop Making ‘Come’ a Buzzkill

Here’s the real problem. You only yell “Come!” when it’s time to ruin the fun. I’m rolling in glorious stink? “Come!” I’m making a new best friend at the park? “Come!” Basically, you’ve turned it into a buzzkill word that signals the party’s over.

Why would I want to run to you if it always means leaving the good stuff behind? That’s like someone shouting, “Time to leave!” when you’ve just hit the dessert table at a party. No thanks.

Instead, make “Come!” the most exciting thing I hear all day. Call me over, hand me a chunk of cheese, or bust out a game of tug. Here’s the pro move: after rewarding me, let me go back to whatever fun I was having. That way, I start thinking, “Wait, coming to them doesn’t end the fun—it adds to it!”

When “Come!” doesn’t always mean it’s time to leash up and head home, I’ll actually want to listen to you. Trust me, this tweak changes everything.

Tip 2: Start Small, Like Really Small

Listen, if you’re standing across the dog park with 20 dogs, three squirrels, and a frisbee flying overhead, and you expect me to run straight to you? Dream on. That’s like asking someone to belt out a karaoke song on stage when they’ve only ever sung in the shower. Not happening.

If you want me to learn this “Come!” thing, we’ve got to start small. Forget the park chaos for now. Begin in a quiet, low-distraction area—you know, that spot where you park yourself for hours staring at the glowing screen that talks to you. Call me from the couch to the coffee table. Yep, it’s a short distance, but this is where I figure out that coming to you actually pays off.

When I do come, don’t just shrug it off. Make it worth my while. Toss me a piece of food and add a little excitement into the mix. Celebrate my success so I know I made the right call.

Once I’ve got Couch-to-Coffee-Table Recall nailed, we can take it up a notch. But until then, leave the dog park chaos for another day.

Tip 3: Building Recall, One Kibble at a Time

Here’s where we really lay the groundwork. Kibble is the perfect tool to start teaching recall because it’s consistent, practical, and easy to use. Every time you reward me with kibble for coming, you’re creating a reinforcement history. That’s just a fancy way of saying, “Every time I come when called, something good happens!”

When we’re practicing in calm, controlled environments, kibble works great. But if we’re out somewhere with distractions—like squirrels doing backflips—you’ll want to up the ante. Adding higher-value rewards, like cheese or chicken, for tougher situations reminds me that no matter what’s going on, you’re always the better option.

It’s all about progression: kibble in the backyard, something more exciting at the park. Treat me like a rockstar when I come running, and I’ll keep choosing you over mud puddles and rabbit poop every time.

Tip 4: Don’t Be a Broken Record

Let’s get one thing straight: yelling “Come! Come! COME!” over and over again isn’t helping. If anything, you’re just teaching me that “Come” means absolutely nothing. It’s like that song on repeat that everyone’s tired of but won’t stop playing.

Say it once. Just once. If I don’t respond, don’t stand there shouting like a lunatic—come get me. Yeah, I know that sounds annoying, but if you let me ignore you, I’ll keep doing it. Consistency is key, human.

Oh, and timing matters too. If you’re yelling “Come!” while I’m mid-zoomie or chasing a squirrel, good luck. Either wait for me to finish my thing or make it so irresistible that I have no choice but to come sprinting over.

Tip 5: Practice Makes Perfect (But Not in Chaos)

Here’s the thing: you don’t start teaching me recall in the middle of dog park mayhem. That’s like tossing a beginner swimmer into the deep end during a hurricane.

Start in calm, distraction-free places, like your backyard. Once I’ve nailed it there, slowly add in distractions. Maybe a squeaky toy. Then a friend. Eventually, work your way up to the holy grail of distractions: squirrels. Think of it like leveling up in a video game—you don’t fight the boss on Day 1.

Tip 6: Make It a Game

Let’s face it—running to you isn’t always as exciting as what I’m already doing. So, make it fun!

Try hide-and-seek. Call me and hide behind a couch or tree. When I find you, act like I just discovered buried treasure. Or try running away from me while calling “Come!” Trust me, chasing you is way more fun than being chased.

If you’re boring, I’ll find something else to do. But if you’re fun? I’m all in.

Tip 7: Never, Ever Be a Jerk About It

So, I finally leave that glorious patch of smells—or the rabbit poop buffet—and trot over to you, tail wagging, feeling proud of myself. And then… you scold me? Really? That’s your move?

If coming to you means getting yelled at, why on earth would I want to do it again? Even if it took me forever, even if I stopped for a quick roll in Eau de Dead Thing, reward me when I show up. Treat me like I just handed you a winning lottery ticket.

Save the guilt trips for your human friends. Reward me with treats, praise, or even a quick game if that’s my jam. Make me think, “Coming to you is always worth it!”

Final Thoughts: Let’s Make This Work

Look, I want to come when you call. I really do. But you’ve gotta make it worth my while. Be patient, be consistent, and stop ruining my fun with boring rewards or bad timing.

Follow these steps, and I promise I’ll be racing to you in no time. Now, how about a practice round? Call me over, and let’s see if you’ve got the goods. Bacon or bust, human.