How to Train a Puppy to Come When Called: Recall Training Guide
To teach your puppy to come when called, start a short distance apart in a quiet room, say your recall cue once and reward them promptly when they reach you. Build distance and distractions gradually. Outdoors, practise in a secure area or use a long line attached to a well-fitting harness. A tasty treat can help, but it does not replace a safe environment, patient practice or supervision.
This Bark with Buster® guide covers a simple reward-based approach to puppy recall training in Australia, including what to do when your puppy gets distracted.
Before you start
Choose one clear cue, such as “come” or “here”, and ask everyone in the household to use the same word. Have tiny, easy-to-eat rewards ready and choose a moment when your puppy is comfortable and interested in interacting. Keep sessions short and stop before they become tired or frustrated.
For outdoor practice, follow local lead rules and your vet’s advice about suitable places for your puppy at their vaccination stage. Avoid roads, unfenced dog parks and situations where you cannot prevent your puppy running into danger.
Step-by-step puppy recall training
- Make coming towards you rewarding. Start close together indoors. When your puppy moves towards you, praise them and offer a small reward beside you.
- Add your cue. When they are likely to approach, say your chosen word once in a friendly voice. Reward them as soon as they arrive. You can mark the moment with a consistent word such as “yes”.
- Add a little distance. Move a step or two away and repeat. Practise from different positions before trying another room. Increase difficulty only when the easier version is going well.
- Practise gentle harness handling. Sometimes pair arrival with a brief, gentle touch of the harness, followed by a reward. Do not grab or frighten your puppy. This helps you practise safely securing them when needed.
- Move to a secure outdoor setting. Start again at a short distance. If using a long line, manage it carefully to avoid tangles and sudden stops. Do not jerk or drag your puppy back.
- Add one distraction at a time. Practise around mild distractions at a comfortable distance. If your puppy cannot respond, make the task easier instead of repeatedly calling.
- Sometimes release them to explore again. When it is safe, reward their return and let them go back to sniffing. Coming to you need not always mean the fun ends.
What if your puppy ignores the cue?
A missed recall is information, not defiance. Your puppy may be distracted, worried, tired or not yet ready for that distance. Move closer when safe, reduce distractions and reward an easier success. Avoid chasing, punishment or repeatedly calling from further away.
Never punish your puppy after they return, even if it took longer than you hoped. If recall suddenly changes alongside other changes in behaviour or health, seek veterinary advice. For ongoing training difficulties, a qualified reward-based trainer can help tailor the exercise.
For more troubleshooting, read why your puppy may not be listening, including distractions, tiredness and unclear cues.
Choosing dog training treats for recall
Use rewards your own puppy enjoys and can comfortably eat. Different dogs have different preferences, so there is no universal “highest-value” protein. Break suitable dog treats into small pieces and count them towards daily food intake. Ask your vet for guidance if your puppy has dietary restrictions or a suspected food allergy.
Australian natural dog treats to compare for training
When choosing puppy training rewards, look beyond the flavour: check the ingredient list, texture and how easily you can portion each piece. Bark with Buster® offers Australian-made, air dehydrated training treats, including individual single ingredient dog treats and puppy packs containing a selection of products.
For a chicken reward you can portion before a session, view our Chicken Jerky Dog Treats, made from Australian chicken. If your puppy already tolerates kangaroo, compare our Kangaroo Jerky Dog Treats, made from Australian kangaroo. Check each product’s texture and feeding guidance, then prepare small reward pieces your puppy can comfortably manage. Neither protein is automatically suitable for every puppy.
Prefer to compare different textures in a pack? The First Steps Puppy Training Pack brings together Beef Liver, Lamb Lung Crisps and Chicken Jerky. It is an option for owners exploring natural puppy treats for recall practice, puppy classes and everyday training. Each individual treat is single ingredient; the whole pack contains multiple proteins. Introduce unfamiliar foods gradually rather than testing several new treats in one session.
The Everyday Puppy Training Pack offers a choice of individual single-ingredient treats. A bundle contains several different products, not one ingredient overall. Introduce unfamiliar foods gradually and supervise eating.
Not sure which reward to choose? View the pack’s current contents, ingredients and feeding guidance before buying. Choose textures and piece sizes your puppy can manage, rather than assuming every treat will suit every puppy.
Compare reward options in our Australian puppy training treats guide, then choose according to your puppy’s needs and preferences.
View the Everyday Puppy Training Pack
Common recall mistakes to avoid
- Expecting an indoor skill to work immediately in a busy park.
- Repeating the cue when your puppy is too distracted to respond.
- Making every return the end of play or exploration.
- Using bigger portions rather than making the task easier.
- Removing the lead before recall is dependable in that setting.
No recall is guaranteed. Continue using secure spaces and appropriate lead management, even as your puppy improves.
Frequently asked questions
When can I start teaching puppy recall?
You can introduce simple, reward-based recall at home when your puppy is settled and ready to engage. Keep it easy and brief. Ask your vet about appropriate outdoor locations for their vaccination stage.
How long does recall training take?
There is no fixed timetable. Progress depends on your puppy, the setting and the consistency of practice. A puppy who responds indoors still needs gradual practice around outdoor distractions.
Should I repeat “come” if my puppy ignores me?
Avoid calling repeatedly. Reduce the distance or distraction and set up an easier attempt. Use a secure area or long line so safety does not depend on the cue alone.
Do I need treats every time?
Frequent rewards help make early practice worthwhile. As the skill develops, vary rewarding activities thoughtfully, including praise, play or returning to sniffing when safe. Do not rush to remove rewards.
Can my puppy practise off lead?
Only where it is legal and safe. Start in a securely enclosed space. In open areas, use appropriate lead management rather than relying on an unproven recall.
For more shopping options and related reading, visit the Puppy Training Hub.
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Reviewed and updated: 9 November 2026, 3:43 pm AEDT.