The 3 Big Reasons Your Dog's Recall Is Unreliable (And How to Fix It)

It’s a beautiful day at Trout Lake park. You unclip the leash, your dog bounds off, and for a glorious 10 minutes, everything is perfect. Then, the trigger appears; a squirrel, another dog, or the delectable scent of goose poop appears.

You call out, "Come!"

...and your dog gives you that look. The one that says, "I'm busy," before bolting in the opposite direction.

That sinking, panicked feeling is one of the worst an owner can experience. A lack of reliable recall isn't just frustrating; it's dangerous, especially in a city full of busy roads.

The good news? Your dog isn't "stubborn" or "defiant." Their recall is unreliable because it’s either broken or, more likely, it was never actually built.

Let's diagnose the three biggest reasons your recall is failing and how to build one you can truly trust.

Reason 1: You "Poisoned" the Cue

This is the most common recall-killer. We, as owners accidentally teach our dogs that the word "Come!" means "the fun is over."

Think about it from your dog's perspective. How often does "Come!" predict a punishment?

• You call your dog... to leave the park.

• You call your dog... to put them in the crate.

• You call your dog... to give them a bath.

• You call your dog... after they've done something wrong, using an angry tone.

Your dog learns that "Come!" is a promise that something bad is about to happen. They learn that not coming back is way more rewarding.

Reason 2: Your Reward Can't Compete

This is especially true for teenage dogs (like Huskies, Shepherds, and Doodles) who hit that 8-18 month adolescent phase. The world simply becomes more interesting than you.

You are offering a dry biscuit. The environment is offering:

• A squirrel to chase (a 10/10 thrill).

• A new dog to play with (a 9/10 thrill).

• A fascinating smell to investigate (an 8/10 thrill).

If your reward for coming back isn't at least an 11/10, your dog is going to make the logical choice and ignore you. Your recall isn't a reliable command; it's just a low-value suggestion.

Reason 3: You're a "Broken Vending Machine"

This is the consistency problem. You stand at the park and yell, "Bowie, come! Come on! C'mere! Let's go! Bowie, COME!"

You've just used five different cues, repeated the main one three times, and shown your dog that the command is just meaningless noise. You've taught them that "Come!" doesn't mean anything, but "Bowie, COME!" (in your angry, high-pitched "I'm serious now" voice) might.

A recall cue should be one word, one time. If it's not, you're just teaching your dog to ignore you until you sound desperate.

Practicing Recall skills on a long lead with Penny, the mini Aussie Shep, in the backyard.

The Prescription: How to Build a "Bulletproof" Recall

Ready for the good news? We can fix this. But we have to go back to square one and build it right.

Step 1: Create a New, "Un-Poisoned" Cue

Your old cue ("Come!" or your dog's name) is likely dead. It's poisoned with bad associations. We need a new word that is used for nothing else but this sacred command.

• Examples: "Here!", "Touch!", or "Front!"

Step 2: Build a 10/10 Reward History

This new cue must only predict amazing things. You must load it with value.

• Get the "Ferrari" of treats: Boiled chicken breast , cubes of lean steak, freeze-dried liver. Stuff your dog never gets any other time. Let Bowie know you’re not messing around!

• Practice at home. Say your new cue ("Here!"). When your dog turns toward you, CLICK (using your clicker for precision) and give them a high-value treat. Do this 10 times.

• The Rule: For the first month, never use this new cue unless you are 100% sure your dog will succeed and you can reward them for it.

Step 3: Manage the Environment (The Long-Line)

This is the most critical step for fixing the problem with chasing cars or squirrels. You cannot practice off-leash recall off-leash.

• Buy a 30-50 foot long-line (a long lead).

• Go to a park. Let your dog wander to the end of the line.

• Say your new cue ("Here!"). If they ignore you (to sniff or look at a squirrel), you can use the long-line to give a gentle, steady "reminder" tug.

• The second they turn and run to you, praise them like they just won the lottery. CLICK! And give them a jackpot of 5-10 high-value treats.

• This management tool prevents the dog from self-rewarding (by successfully chasing the squirrel) and guarantees you can enforce the cue.

Step 4: Off-Leash is Earned, Not Given

Off-leash freedom is the final exam, not the first day of school. Your dog earns that freedom by being 100% reliable on the long-line in multiple distracting environments. A recall is not a true recall unless it works 100% of the time. This is the only way to ensure their safety. (You can read more about building this reliability from top certification bodies like the CCPDT).

True 100% Recall means freedom. Not just for your pup, but for you too!

You Don't Have to Do This Alone

Building a reliable recall, especially for a high-drive working breed in a busy city like Vancouver is the single most important (and difficult) thing you can teach. It requires perfect timing, consistency, and a solid, step-by-step plan.

If you're tired of the panic and ready for 1-on-1 help to build a recall you can truly trust, I'm here to help.