By now, your puppy should have a basic understanding of recall and loose lead walking. This week, we’re going to build on those foundations by adding distance, distractions, and real-life proofing. We’ll also introduce a “let’s go” cue to help with lead walking and cover common mistakes that could set your training back.
Building Distance & Distractions in Recall
A solid recall means your puppy will come back no matter what’s happening. To strengthen this, we need to gradually increase distance and distractions.
🎯 How to Build Distance:
Start Close: Begin in a quiet environment and call your puppy from just a few feet away.
Gradually Increase Distance: Slowly call them from further away as they become reliable.
Use a Long Line: Practise in safe, open spaces with a 5-10 metre long line for control.
🎯 How to Add Distractions:
Level Up Slowly: Start with mild distractions (toys, family members) before moving to bigger ones (dogs, busy parks).
Use a Helper: Have a friend walk nearby or toss a toy while you call your puppy. Reward them heavily for choosing you!
Be More Exciting! If your puppy hesitates, make yourself more interesting—run backwards, clap, or use a high-pitched voice.
🚫 Mistakes to Avoid:
Calling your puppy only when playtime ends—they’ll learn to avoid coming back!
Practising only in quiet areas—recall needs to work everywhere.
Letting them ignore you—always go closer and encourage them rather than repeating their name over and over.
📝 Tip: If your puppy struggles, lower the difficulty—move closer, reduce distractions, or use a better reward.
Proofing Recall in Real-Life Situations
A recall cue is only useful if it works in the real world.
🐾 Real-Life Recall Training Ideas:
✅ Park Practice: Use a long line in a field or park to simulate off-lead freedom while keeping control.
✅ Distraction Training: Have a helper walk past with another dog while you practise calling your puppy.
✅ Hiding Game: Hide behind a tree or furniture and call your puppy—they’ll love “finding” you!
✅ Emergency Recall Word: Teach a special word (e.g., “To me!”) that only means fun, exciting rewards.
🚀 Make Recall Worth It!Always celebrate success—use toys, play, and extra tasty treats to make coming back the best choice.
Teaching a “Let’s Go” Cue for Loose Lead Walking
Sometimes on walks, you’ll need your puppy to move with you quickly—whether that’s avoiding distractions, crossing the road, or just keeping the walk flowing. A “let’s go” cue teaches them to turn and walk with you on cue.
🎯 How to Teach It:
Say “Let’s go!” in a happy voice while gently turning away from your puppy.
Encourage movement by patting your leg or using a treat as motivation.
Reward heavily when your puppy moves with you.
Practise in different locations to make it second nature.
🚫 Common Issues:
If your puppy ignores you, use a high-value treat or a toy to encourage movement.
Don’t pull on the lead—make it fun so they want to follow you.
📝 Tip: Use “let’s go” before they get distracted—not after they’ve already started pulling!
Common Recall Mistakes & How to Fix Them
🚫 Repeating the Cue:
Saying “come” 5 times teaches your puppy that they only need to listen on the fifth try!
Fix it: Say it once, then use movement and encouragement if they don’t respond.
🚫 Calling When They’re Distracted:
If your puppy is locked onto something exciting, they might not hear you.
Fix it: Get their attention first (clap, move away, or use a whistle).
🚫 Punishing Recall Failures:
If your puppy ignores you, then gets scolded when they do come back, they’ll avoid coming next time!
Fix it: Always reward recall, even if they took a while to respond.
What’s Next?
This week, you’ve worked on advanced recall and leash training with real-world proofing.
In Week 9, we’ll focus on confidence-building through fun training games and problem-solving skills!
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