Training sheet: Recall — Jordan Mathieu

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Golden rule: The reward must match the effort. Garden = kibble. Park with other dogs = frankfurter slices, cheese, chicken.

🎮Recall games▼

Recall, then send him after the toy

Call your dog. As soon as he arrives, throw his ball in the opposite direction. Coming back = the game starts again, not the end of the fun.

Choosing you

Put your dog in a “Sit-Stay”. Throw a toy behind him (2-3 m). Call him. He must choose to come to you rather than go after the toy.

Ignoring temptation

Place treats 3-4 m away. Call your dog from the other side. He must walk past without stopping. Start with only a few temptations.

Two-person ping-pong

Two people (A and B) call him back and forth. As soon as the dog reaches A, B calls him. Quick reactions and intensity.

⚡Handling a mistake▼

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If the dog doesn't come back, don't repeat the cue and don't scold him: he wouldn't understand why. Walk up to him calmly without saying anything, and quietly take him back to the spot where you called him. Then try again from closer, in an easier setting, so that he succeeds and gets rewarded.

💡Key points▼

Don't clip the lead on straight after a recall: Reward, then give the release word (“OK!”, “GO!”). Otherwise the dog learns that recall = the end of freedom.
Hand from above: Present the treat by bringing your hand down from above, to steady his head in front of you.
Never punish the return: Even if he took his time. Coming back must always be the safest and most rewarding thing he can do.
Flip the focus: If he dawdles, move away in the opposite direction so that he “chases” you.