This One Drill Can Transform Your Dog’s Recall

By Certified Professional Dog Trainer Maureen Cucinella owner of in Blue Ridge, GA

Little Jana vom haus Schair aka "Reagan" demonstrating her recall at the USCA 2025 regional Championship handled by Maureen Cucinella

The recall is one of the most important commands we can teach our dogs. It allows them the freedom to explore, play, and enjoy life—while giving us peace of mind that they’ll come back when it matters. But while many dogs seem to understand the word “come,” they don’t always grasp the urgency behind it. A solid recall doesn’t just mean your dog hears you—it means they choose you over every distraction in their environment.

To build this level of reliability, we need to train with intention. There’s one simple drill I use regularly with my clients to help their dogs learn that “come” is a cue that means drop everything and return now.

Start with a long lead—at least 20 feet—and clip it to your dog’s collar. Head outside to a quiet space and allow your dog to roam a bit. Let them get invested in sniffing, exploring, and being a dog. When they’re clearly distracted, call their name, followed by “Come!” in a confident voice. If your dog turns and looks at you, mark it with “Yes!” or “Good!” and begin walking backward to encourage movement. If your dog doesn’t respond, don’t pull on the leash—instead, keep walking backward with gentle pressure. Most dogs will begin to follow, and when they do, you can cheer them on with praise and excitement.

Walking backward might seem like a small detail, but it’s incredibly powerful. Dogs are sensitive to body pressure. Standing still might encourage them to do the same. Moving toward them might make them pull away. But moving backward creates draw—it’s inviting and lowers pressure, helping them move toward you more willingly.

When your dog reaches you, don’t immediately release them to go back to sniffing. Take a moment. Reward them, build a little patience, and then use a clear release word—something like “Free!”—to let them know they’re done. This teaches them not just to come, but to wait until they’re truly released, building focus and impulse control.

If your dog struggles to stay with you, you can gently hold their collar or shorten the leash for a few seconds while you reward and reinforce calm behavior. Over time, increase the duration they stay with you before being released.

Between each recall, give your dog time to forget they’re training. Let them get back into sniffing and wandering so your recall feels like a surprise—just like it might in real life. I usually only ask for a handful of recalls in a short session. Don’t worry if they’re not all perfect. Some will be fast and enthusiastic, some may be slower. That’s normal. With consistency, you’ll start to notice your dog keeping an ear tuned to you, even while they explore.

If you commit to doing this drill a few times a week, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your dog’s recall sharpens. They’ll begin to associate the word “come” with action—and that means more freedom, safety, and trust for both of you.