Teaching your adolescent dog to come back when called – especially in public spaces – can feel like a major challenge. Hormones are raging, distractions are everywhere, and even the best-trained puppies often “forget” what recall means. But don’t worry – with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, your dog can develop a reliable recall.
Why recall gets tricky during adolescence
Adolescent dogs (usually 6 to 18 months old) go through a phase of testing boundaries and gaining independence. That squirrel, scent trail, or fellow dog suddenly seems far more exciting than you! But this is exactly why recall training is so important during this time – not just for convenience, but for safety. They may seem deaf but they can still hear you.
Start small and build up
Always begin recall training in low-distraction environments. Don’t expect to take them to a public park filled with dogs, children, birds and other exciting distractions and expect them to focus on you.
Great options are:
- Your garden
- In the house
- A quiet path or walk location
- Secure dog field
Use a cheerful tone, their name, and a consistent cue like “Come!” or “Here!”. When they return, reward them with something amazing your dog loves (no point using a toy if this doesn’t motivate them).
Top tip- Using a high value treat that you save just for recall works wonders- chicken, liver, cheese- this is much more exciting than their kibble or every day treat. Test which your dog likes the most and save it for these occasions.
The goal is to make coming back to you the best part of their day.
Practice on a long line
In public spaces, use a long training lead (not extender lead) to give them freedom while staying in control. This gives you more confidence and them more freedom. Let them explore, then call them back. If they hesitate, gently guide them in and reward generously when they get to you. Never scold them for taking too long – this is a confusing message and we want recall to feel rewarding, not risky.
Make recall a game
Play hide-and-seek (duck behind a tree), chase-and-return (run backwards away from them- they won’t be able to resist chasing!), and call from different directions. Keep moving around to hold their attention, the more fun recall is, the more your dog will want to engage.
Consistency is key
Don’t only call them when it’s time to leave the park or end the fun as they will get wise to this and avoid coming back. Call, reward, and release them back to play many times during a walk – this teaches them that coming to you doesn’t always mean the fun stops.
With positive reinforcement and regular practice, your adolescent dog will learn that coming back to you is always worth it – no matter what’s going on around them.
