A dog trainer has shared his top tips to fellow dog owners on how to best train their pups to come whenever they’re being called – and it’s easier than you might think
Alice Sjoberg Social News Reporter
05:05, 09 Feb 2026Updated 09:00, 09 Feb 2026
A dog trainer has shared how you can successfully train your dog to come to you whenever you call for them (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
Having a dog is undoubtedly one of life’s greatest pleasures, though teaching your four-legged companion can prove equally demanding as it is fulfilling. Whether mastering basic commands like sit and stay or enjoying energetic games of fetch, the satisfaction of training achievements is undeniable.
Among essential skills, a successful recall is often named as one of the most important commands to teach your dog, since a dog that reliably returns when being called avoids countless potential dangers and accidents. Dog training specialist Sam Hoke understands this perfectly, which prompted him to share his expertise on TikTok for fellow dog owners.
Showcasing his Labrador Mo’s exemplary obedience skills, Sam revealed his go-to training tips that has made his own dog successfully come whenever he’s being called for.
“Have you ever called your dog and they completely ignored you or ran away? There’s a cure for that,” he said at the start of the video, before explaining the foundation of flawless recall.
“Step one – stop calling your dog when you have nothing to offer,” Sam revealed.
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It’s about transforming each recall into something your dog finds irresistible. “Think about it like this, if your friends text you every day and nine times out of ten it’s to complain, how long until you stop responding?”
The same applies to your canine, so cease sending your dog complaining messages. “When you call them, it should be worth their while,” Sam explained.
His approach is simple – to call for Mo to then simply to shower him with rewards or affection whenever the dogs successfully comes over, not purely for compliance.
“This builds a positive association with coming when called,” said Sam. “I’m building up the habit in places that matter, like the park.”
However, this approach alone isn’t always enough. To guarantee dependable recall with Mo, Sam stressed that rehearsing even when Mo is distracted proves essential.
“When Mo isn’t paying attention, either Lia or I call him over but watch how we don’t move towards him,” he demonstrated in the video. “We move backwards, triggering his natural instinct to chase. And when he comes to us, boom, we reward him.”
Additionally, when Mo responds appropriately, they deliberately touch his collar before offering a treat, reinforcing that a collar grab doesn’t necessarily mean playtime’s over.
“So be the friend your dog wants to come to, the one who calls them over for treats and fun. Not the one who’s always dragging them out of the park and complaining,” Sam concluded.
RSPCA’s tips to train recall with your dog
Similar to Sam’s advice, the RSPCA recommends beginning recall training by consistently providing something enjoyable, such as a treat or an entertaining game, whenever you call them over.
Move away a few steps before calling your dog’s name and saying ‘come’ using a cheerful and enthusiastic voice. When your dog approaches you, gently grasp their collar and either give them the treat or allow them to play with the toy.
Then progressively extend the distance between you and your dog, until eventually you can summon your dog into and out of the garden or between different rooms. You can also request your partner or a mate to hold your dog’s collar while you walk further away to practise greater distances. And remember to praise your dog each time they successfully respond to your call.
Once your dog is reliably responding to your call throughout the house and garden, you can begin practising in secure outdoor areas. For this purpose, using lengthy training leads can prove useful as they provide your dog with some liberty without granting them total free-range at this point.
