Why Your Dog Won’t Come When Called (Even Though They “Know” It)
Feb 27, 2026
If your dog ignores you when called, it’s not defiance.
It’s cue value and reinforcement history.
Most recall fails because:
• The cue was repeated
• It predicted something unpleasant
• Distraction increased too quickly
• Reinforcement became inconsistent
Recall is not a personality trait. It’s a layered skill.
The environment is often more reinforcing than you are.
Try This Small Shift
For the next week, only use your recall cue in low-distraction settings — and reinforce generously every single time.
Protect the cue.
Reliable recall isn’t built at the park. It’s built in structured stages and transferred carefully.
If you’re unsure how to layer distance and distraction without breaking the behaviour, Train Your Own Dog provides that progression.
Enroll in Train Your Own Dog by March 20, 2026 to attend our April 11, 2026 live training session.
