Puppy Training Journey #9 The Puppy Recall.

The Essential Guide to Puppy Recall Training: My Journey with Ruby

As a professional dog trainer, I’ve spent countless hours working with puppies and their owners to establish reliable recall training. In my latest video, “The Puppy Recall: Getting Your Puppy to Return to You!”, I demonstrate the fundamental principles that every puppy owner must understand to ensure their young dog develops into a confident, responsive companion.

Why Puppy Recall Training is Absolutely Essential

When I first started working with Ruby, my Border Terrier, I knew that recall training would be one of the most critical skills we’d develop together. As your puppy grows and you begin to spend more time outside the home environment, you need to feel confident that you can quickly call your puppy back under a wide variety of circumstances.

The puppy recall forms the foundation for a relaxed and happy walk together. Without it, every outing becomes a source of anxiety rather than enjoyment. I’ve seen too many owners who avoid taking their dogs to interesting places because they simply can’t trust their dog to return when called.

Starting From Day One: My Approach to Early Recall Training

One of the most important lessons I share in my video is that puppy recall training can and should be started right from day one of ownership. Many people make the mistake of thinking they need to wait until their puppy is older or has mastered other commands first.

I begin with small and easy puppy recalls that are highly likely to work. Success breeds success in dog training, and by ensuring early positive experiences, I’m setting both Ruby and myself up for long-term achievement. In the video, you can see how I use a meal as a training opportunity—this is one of the most effective starting points because food motivation is naturally high in most dogs.

The Equipment I Use and Why It Matters

Throughout my demonstration with Ruby, I showcase the specific equipment that I’ve found most effective for recall training. I particularly favour using a Flexi lead to start with, as the line recoils easily and provides the perfect balance of freedom and control. The length I use—8 metres—is adequate for Ruby given her energy levels and age.

The beauty of the Flexi lead system is that it allows me to give Ruby a sense of freedom whilst maintaining ultimate control. She can explore and move naturally, but I always have the ability to guide her back if needed. This creates a positive association with the recall process rather than making it feel restrictive. I then move to a more relaxed 30-50 foot line depending on the dog and how active it is.

The Gradual Transition to Freedom

One of the key principles I demonstrate is the gradual transition from training lines to complete freedom. In a few weeks’ time, Ruby and I will begin to make this transition to a long training line, similar to the ones I provide my customers with when dealing with recall issues.

This progression is crucial because it respects the dog’s developmental process whilst building confidence in both owner and pet. I never simply let young dogs loose and hope for the best—this approach is fraught with risk and often leads to setbacks. Instead, I believe that a young dog should only be given the amount of freedom that it can genuinely cope with.

As my trust and confidence in Ruby grows, I can give her more freedom until the line is no longer needed. I look upon this as a natural transition that keeps pace with the dog’s developing abilities to return when called.

The Risks of Premature Freedom

In my experience as a dog behaviourist, I’ve seen countless cases where owners have given their puppies too much freedom too soon. This is a key mistake that I’m passionate about helping people avoid. When you simply let a young dog loose without proper preparation, several problematic behaviours can develop.

Firstly, the dog can easily learn that you can be ignored. Once this pattern is established, it becomes increasingly difficult to break. Secondly, the puppy may begin to engage with all dogs and people whether you like it or not, potentially creating social issues or dangerous situations.

High-Value Rewards and Timing

During the filming of this particular video, it was actually a day of firsts for Ruby and me. It was the first time I had taken chicken or other high-value food out with us on a walk, and this decision proved crucial to our success. When you’re working on such an important task as recall training, you need high-value food rewards that will compete with all the exciting distractions of the outside world.

The timing of rewards is equally important. In the video, you can observe how I deliver the chicken reward immediately upon Ruby’s return, creating a clear connection between the behaviour I want and the positive consequence that follows. This immediate reinforcement is what makes the training stick.

Building Trust and Confidence Together

What viewers often comment on after watching my videos is the obvious trust and confidence that exists between Ruby and me. This doesn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of consistent, positive training experiences that build upon each other over time. Every successful recall strengthens our bond and increases the likelihood of future success.

The recall training process is as much about building my confidence as a handler as it is about training Ruby. When I know that I can reliably call her back in various situations, I’m more relaxed during our walks, which in turn makes Ruby more relaxed and responsive.

Practical Application and Real-World Success

The techniques I demonstrate in this video aren’t just theoretical—they’re proven methods that I use with my own dogs and recommend to my clients. The key is consistency, patience, and understanding that every dog progresses at their own pace. Ruby’s success represents weeks of careful preparation and gradual skill building.

By following these principles, any puppy owner can develop reliable recall with their pet. The investment of time and effort in these early stages pays dividends throughout the dog’s life, creating opportunities for adventures that simply wouldn’t be possible without solid recall training.

The journey of puppy recall training is one of the most rewarding aspects of dog ownership, and I hope that sharing my methods with Ruby inspires others to embark on this essential training journey.