Canine Calm: Recall #2

Canine Calm Series – Recall: Understanding What Makes Your Dog Tick

No two dogs are the same.

Let that really sink in for a moment. Your dog is completely unique. There has never been, and never will be, another dog exactly like yours. Ever! And when it comes to recall—teaching your dog to come back when called—this uniqueness matters more than anything else.

To build a recall that actually works in the real world, you need to start by understanding what makes your dog tick. Not what works for your neighbour’s Labrador or the border collie on Instagram. We’re talking about your dog—your individual companion with their own quirks, preferences, and passions.

What Was Your Dog Bred to Do?

A great place to start is to think about what your dog was originally bred for. Understanding breed traits gives us powerful clues about what drives them.

• Is your dog a sniffer, like a spaniel or beagle, obsessed with following scents?

• A retriever, who loves having something in their mouth and bringing it back?

• A guardian, like a mastiff or shepherd, who prefers staying close and watching the environment?

• A herder, wired to control movement, watch intensely, or circle?

These patterns aren’t strict rules, but they do help you predict what your dog might find fun, motivating, or distracting.

What Does Your Dog Actually Enjoy?

The next step is to observe. Step back and simply watch your dog.

• What do they naturally gravitate towards on walks?

• What toys light them up?

• Do they prefer tugging, chasing, stalking, sniffing, or fetching?

• Are they foodies—or do they work better for toys, praise, or play?

These are your dog’s natural reinforcers—and they’re gold for recall training.

If your dog loves chasing birds, for example, then standing in a field shouting "come!" with a dry biscuit in your hand probably isn’t going to cut it. But what if you became the bird? What if your recall became the start of a game of chase, or a favourite tug toy appeared the moment they returned?

When we work with our dog’s instincts—not against them—we build a recall that your dog actually wants to respond to.

Why Doesn’t My Dog Come Back?

So often, when a dog doesn’t return to us, it’s not because they’re being ‘naughty’ or ‘stubborn’. It’s because they’ve found something that’s more exciting or rewarding in that moment.

That might be:

• Other dogs

• People

• Chasing birds or cats

• Sniffing something interesting

• Stealing a ball

• Jumping in a stream

These behaviours feel good to your dog. And that means if we want them to choose us instead, we need to understand what they’re getting out of those distractions.

That’s why observation is so important. The more information you have about what your dog finds exciting and fun, the better equipped you’ll be to build a recall that works for your individual dog.

Why Recall Often Fails

Here’s the real kicker: your dog may have already learned that recall sucks.

Why?

1. Because it stops the fun. Most of the time, recall means “end of play” for your dog. They’re enjoying themselves—playing, sniffing, chasing—and suddenly they’re called away. Over time, they learn that coming back = losing out.

2. Because we’re up against the environment. The environment is always rewarding. It’s full of smells, movement, animals, and surprises. It’s constantly changing, and your dog never knows what exciting thing might happen next. Ask yourself:

   • Are you always rewarding your dog for coming back?

   • Do you offer something exciting or meaningful in return?

   • Are you even a little bit unpredictable and fun?

3. The cardinal sin: you’re taking me home and ending my fun.This is one of the biggest reasons dogs ignore recall. If every time you call your dog it means the walk is over, the lead goes on, the car door closes, they quickly learn to avoid you. Why would they come running to leave the best part of their day behind?

And here’s the thing—you don’t need to be a wild, bouncing entertainer. You just need to make sure that coming back to you doesn’t always mean the fun is finished. Sometimes recall should lead to a treat, a game, another off-lead burst of freedom, or even just a change of direction. Keep them guessing.

Start Building a Recall Plan That Fits Your Dog

Once you understand what your dog finds fun, what motivates them, and what they’re most distracted by, you can start shaping a recall that suits them.

Ask yourself:

• What’s my dog’s ultimate reward?

• What’s the environment giving them that I’m not?

• How can I make recall feel like the start of something fun—not the end?

  
  

In Summary

Understanding what makes your dog tick is the foundation of a reliable, joyful recall. Watch them. Learn from them. Take time to understand their preferences, play style, and personality. That insight is your superpower.

When recall is built around what your dog naturally loves, you’re no longer forcing them to come back—you’re giving them a reason to want to.

Coming up next: How to Build Your Dog’s Favourite Recall Cue – Making Coming Back the Best Part of the Walk!