A reliable recall is one of the most valuable skills you can build with your dog.

But recall isn't simply teaching your dog to respond to the word "come."

Your dog has to learn that responding to you is rewarding, develop the ability to disengage from distractions, understand increasing distance, and gradually build reliability in more challenging environments.

Madden’s K9 Recall Training is a structured five-session private training program designed to build those skills progressively.

We'll start at your dog's current ability level and gradually increase distance, distractions, and difficulty as your dog demonstrates readiness.

What's Included

• 5 private 60-minute training sessions
• Personalized recall training plan
• Recall foundation development
• Engagement and handler focus
• Reward and reinforcement strategy
• Recall cue development
• Distance progression
• Long-line recall training
• Controlled distraction training
• Outdoor and real-world recall practice
• Owner handling and timing instruction
• At-home recall exercises
• Progress-based adjustments throughout the program
• Long-term recall maintenance strategy

Your Five-Session Recall Progression

01. Recall Foundation

Build engagement, motivation, and a clear recall response in a controlled environment.

02. Distance & Motivation

Begin increasing distance while strengthening your dog's desire and ability to return to you.

03. Controlled Distractions

Introduce distractions in a controlled way and teach your dog to disengage and respond when called.

04. Real-World Recall

Take the training into more realistic environments while using appropriate management and controlled difficulty.

05. Reliability & Maintenance

Bring the skills together, identify remaining weaknesses, and establish a long-term plan for maintaining your dog's recall.

Who This Program Is For

This program is designed for owners who want to develop a stronger recall and are willing to consistently practice with their dog.

It may be especially useful for dogs that:

• Come when called at home but struggle outside
• Become distracted easily
• Ignore their owner when interested in something else
• Need stronger engagement with their handler
• Have inconsistent recall
• Struggle with distance
• Need structured outdoor recall practice
• Have learned a recall cue but don't respond consistently

Recall Is Built, Not Assumed.

A dog that comes running from across the living room isn't necessarily ready to come away from a squirrel, another dog, an interesting smell, or a new environment.

That's why this program progresses gradually.

Foundation → Distance → Distractions → Real World → Reliability

The goal is to build the behavior systematically while teaching you how to continue reinforcing it long after the program ends.

Safety First

Recall training should never require intentionally testing an unreliable recall in an unsafe environment.

Training will use appropriate management, controlled distractions, and tools such as long training lines when appropriate.

Your dog's current recall ability, environment, training history, and safety considerations will determine how quickly we progress.

What if my dog doesn't come when called at all?

That's exactly why we start with your dog's current ability. The program begins by establishing engagement, motivation, and a foundation for the recall response before increasing distance or distractions.

Can you guarantee my dog will always come when called?

No. No responsible trainer can guarantee perfect recall in every situation. Recall reliability depends on the dog's training history, environment, distractions, reinforcement, consistency, and owner handling. The program is designed to progressively strengthen the behavior.

Will we train off-leash?

Safety comes first. We may use a long training line and other appropriate management tools while developing recall. Off-leash work is only appropriate when the environment, dog, skill level, and circumstances support it.

Can you teach recall around other dogs?

Controlled distractions can be introduced as your dog demonstrates readiness. The difficulty will be adjusted based on your dog's current recall ability rather than immediately placing the dog in a highly distracting environment.

What if my dog runs away when I call?

We'll first work to understand why the recall isn't working and establish a stronger foundation. Do not intentionally test an unreliable recall in an unsafe or uncontrolled environment.

What recall command will you teach?

Training can be adapted to your existing recall cue or a new cue when appropriate. The focus is on building a reliable response rather than simply choosing a particular word.

Do I need a K9 Assessment first?

No. The Recall Training Intake is designed to gather information about your dog's recall ability, history, environment, and goals. If your dog's situation requires a more specialized behavioral assessment, we'll discuss the appropriate next step.

What happens between sessions?

You'll receive practical exercises to practice between appointments. Consistent repetition is an important part of building recall.

Do I schedule all five sessions at once?

No. You'll schedule Session 1 after completing your intake. Your remaining sessions will be scheduled progressively based on your dog's progress and readiness.

Can I purchase additional training afterward?

Yes. If additional training would benefit you and your dog, you can purchase another training package or discuss the next appropriate training option.

Can you work with a dog that has a bite or serious aggression history?

Please disclose any bite history, attempted bites, serious aggression, or significant safety concerns during intake. Some cases require specialized behavior support and may fall outside the scope of standard recall training.