FOCUS · WEEK 05
How to Train a Dog to Come When Called
Bombproof recall training in 12 weeks. AI-built daily sessions with the clicker game, distraction layering, and progress tracking. From $9.99/month.
Build my plan01 · Why it happens
What's actually going on.
Most dogs hear 'come' as a suggestion because the cue was poisoned early — used to end fun, scold, or trick them. Real recall is a Pavlovian reflex: the cue itself becomes a reward.
02 · The approach
Four steps,
in this order.
- 1Reset the cue: pick a fresh word your dog has never heard, pair it with the highest-value reward.
- 2Recall game in the home, then yard, with no possibility of failure (long line).
- 3Add controlled distractions one at a time: another person, a treat on the ground, a toy mid-roll.
- 4Off-leash trial only after 60+ successful reps in distractions.
03 · In the program
Front-loaded in
Week 05.
The 12-week plan dedicates Week 5 as the focus phase for recall. Before then we lay the foundations (engagement, self-control); after, we generalize to real-world distractions and lock in reliability.
04 · FAQ
Common questions.
My dog used to come and now ignores me. Can it be fixed?+
Yes. Switch to a new cue word, restart from low distractions, and never call the cue when you can't reward it. Most dogs rebuild reliable recall in 4–6 weeks.
Is it OK to use a long line?+
Yes — a 30-ft line is essential during the early weeks. It prevents failure, which is what poisons the cue in the first place.
Will treats always be needed?+
No. Once the cue is a reflex, the program transitions to variable reinforcement (life rewards: a sniff, a ball throw, a sprint).
Ready to fix it?
10 questions, 60 seconds. We'll build the 12-week plan with recall weighted in the right place.
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