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Recall Starting PlanAccess our Full Course — $150

Your Starting Plan · The Runner

To your dog, running away is the game.

If your dog bolts the second you call and dances just out of reach, recall has turned into a game. This is the plan that ends it. Get started today.

Why it's happening

Why your dog is stuck

Your Runner isn't stubborn, and they're not dumb. Somewhere along the way, coming when called turned into a game, and getting away became the best part of it. Usually it's a mix of these three things.

1

Coming means the fun ends

If you mostly call your dog when it's time to clip the leash and head home, they learn that answering you is what ends the good part. So they put it off as long as they can.

2

You became the chaser

Every time you ran after your bolting dog, you taught the most fun game there is: keep-away. Now running from you is the game, and your dog is winning it.

3

The word wore out

Calling "come, come, COME!" with no way to make it happen teaches your dog that the word is just background noise they can safely tune out.

The fix is a simple, step-by-step plan.

You give your dog a brand-new come word, flip the game of chase so running to you becomes the fun part, and add a long line so getting away is never an option.

What you need

Your starter kit

1
A long line, 15 to 30 feet. A long line is a leash made specifically to drag on the ground without catching on objects. It gives your dog freedom to roam while giving you safe access to your dog when needed.
2
A well-fitted harness. Clip the long line here, not the collar, so a sudden bolt never jolts your dog's neck.
3
High-value treats. Reserve special, extra tasty treats for your recall work. Fresh chicken, string cheese, or hot dog are great options.
4
A treat pouch. Keep rewards out of sight and ready to go, so you can pay fast and keep your hands free.
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Get started in these three phases

1

Phase 1

Reset Your "Come" Command

You'll need high-value treats, and a treat pouch

Your dog has learned they can ignore the old "come," so the word stopped meaning anything. We fix that by starting fresh with a brand-new word that carries no bad habits. Begin somewhere calm and boring, like your living room or backyard, where nothing else is competing for their attention.

1
Pick a new word.Choose one your dog has never heard, like "here!"
2
Say "here!" & give a treat.Have your dog stand in front of you. In a quiet room, say your new word once, then immediately give a treat. Your dog doesn't have to do anything yet - you're simply teaching them that this word always means something great is coming.
3
Repeat.Repeat each for 10-15 reps. Calling "Here!" and handing them a treat is one rep.
Practice10 to 15 reps, 2 to 3 times a day
Move onPractice 3 days, then move on to Phase 2
2

Phase 2

Play Treat Chase

You'll need high-value treats, and a treat pouch

Right now, running away from you is the game. Treat Chase flips it so that coming back to you becomes the game instead. In this game, we teach your dog to chase a treat in your hand as their reward for coming back to you. This brings the fun to you and makes listening more rewarding for your dog. Start indoors first and when you're ready, you can continue to practice in your backyard.

1
Get set.Stand in front of your dog with a treat in your dominant hand.
2
Show your dog the treat.Don't give your dog the treat, but wave it in front of their nose playfully.
3
Play chase.Get your dog to chase your hand while you hold on to the treat.
4
Give your dog the treat.When you're ready, allow your dog to get the treat from your hand.
5
Reset.To reset the treat chase game, toss a treat away from you. When your dog gets the treat, call them back to you with your new "Here!" cue and have a treat ready in your hand for them to chase.
6
Repeat.Repeat for 5-8 reps. Each rep ends after you release the treat to your dog.
Practice5 to 8 reps, 2 to 3 times a day
Move onPractice 3 days, then move on to Phase 3
3

Phase 3

Practice What You've Learned on Your Walks

You'll need high-value treats, a treat pouch, a long line, and a harness

Practice Phase 1 & 2 on your walks. Now you will practice calling your dog with your new word and rewarding them with your treat chase game while on your walk. To do this safely, put your dog in a harness and clip a long 15-30ft leash to their harness that can drag on the ground. If you ever need to get control of your dog, simply step on the leash and pick it up.

1
Where to practice.For your first few practice walks, start somewhere with not so many distractions, or walk at a time when it is less busy. Quiet trails or neighborhood streets are a great place to start.
2
Call, reward, release.As you start walking with your dog, call them to you. The second they respond and get to you, reward with your treat chase. Once your dog gets their treat, give them a "let's go" cue to keep walking. Practice this throughout your walk.
3
Use your long line to reinforce.If your dog doesn't respond to your first call, pick up the leash and call again, adding a light bump to the leash after your second call. If they ignore you again, simply use the leash to gently reel them in to you. When they get to you, reward with your treat chase game.
4
Repeat.Repeat this for about 8-10 reps per 30 minute walk. Each rep ends after you release the treat to your dog.
Practice8 to 10 reps per 30 minute walk
Keep it upRepeat on every walk

Keep the momentum

This is just the start! Ready for the full recall system?

These three steps get your foundation going. But a Runner's real test is distraction and open space, and that takes a real plan, not another list of tips.

Two ways to get there — do it yourself, or let me coach you through it.

Get the full step-by-step system → Work with a trainer one-on-one →