Calling your dog and having them completely ignore you is one of the most frustrating situations dog owners face. Whether they’re off chasing a squirrel, checking out a new scent, or just busy doing dog things, it’s easy to feel like your dog has selective hearing. But here’s the good news: with the right strategies and some consistency, you can teach your dog to come when called—even around distractions.
Why do dogs ignore us?
One big reason dogs don’t come when we call is that they’ve never really learned that coming back is worth it. Often, we overuse the word “come” without making it meaningful. Or worse, the word has been linked to something negative—like the end of playtime or getting leashed up to leave the park.
And let’s be honest: the world is a pretty exciting place for dogs. Squirrels, smells, people, other dogs—it’s all way more interesting than what we usually offer when we call them. If we haven’t taken the time to train through those distractions, we can’t expect them to choose us over all that fun.
Building a strong recall
To find success, it’s best to follow these tips:
Start simply-Begin where your dog is most likely to succeed—inside the house or in a quiet yard. Use an upbeat tone and reward generously every single time they come. Chicken, cheese, or a favorite toy—whatever lights your dog up.
Make it worth their while-Think about it: if coming to you always ends the fun, your dog might hesitate. Mix it up. Sometimes call them, reward, and send them right back to whatever they were doing. Coming back should always pay off.
Say it once- Avoid the temptation to repeat the cue over and over. If you say “come” three times before they respond, that quickly becomes their habit. Instead, say it once, then help them succeed—clap, cheer, back away, show a treat—whatever it takes to get their attention.
Add distractions gradually- Once they’re solid at home, start upping the difficulty. Use a long leash in new environments and reward heavily. Don’t jump straight to the dog park and expect perfection—build up slowly.
Always make it positive-
Even if they take their sweet time coming back, greet them happily every single time. Scolding after a recall teaches them to think twice about coming next time.
Teach an emergency cue- It’s smart to have a special “emergency recall” word—something you never use casually. This word means: come to me now, and amazing things will happen. Practice it often and save it for those crucial moments.
Teaching a reliable recall takes time, patience, and lots of rewards, but it’s well worth the effort. Not only will your walks be more enjoyable, but a solid recall could save your dog’s life someday.
Nicole Wiebusch CPDT-KA is a certified professional dog trainer with over 20 years of experience helping dogs and their people build strong, positive relationships through training. For more, see goldenpawsdogtraining.com