Coast and Country Canines

Building distance and distraction

A black shepherd dog runs towards the camera through a green field

Stage three: Building distance and distraction

So you’re happy that your dog is responding well in the recall games, now it’s time to test those skills and build in distance and distractions. Congratulations, you’re well on the way to completing the Total Recall Challenge!

It’s an exciting world out there, and it’s completely understandable that our dogs are eager to explore when we’re out on walks. It can be hard for them to pull away from the things they want to sniff or the dogs they want to play with. That’s why it’s so important to make our rewards motivating, practise regularly, and gradually build up distance and distractions when training recall.

Being the most exciting thing in the park isn’t always realistic (though we should certainly try our best to be super fun and engaging for our dogs). What truly helps in those more challenging recall moments is a long, positive history of successful, well-practised recall. That’s why we start at a level where our dogs can achieve and set them up for success every step of the way.

Pro tip: don’t put your dog back on lead every time they return – teach them that recall means a treat and more off-lead play. If coming back always ends the fun, they’ll soon learn to ignore your cue.

Happy harness checks

Some dogs can feel uneasy when people reach over them to clip on a lead, which can make them hesitant to come back. That’s why it’s important to help them get comfortable with this part of the routine.

Play boomerang recall, but this time reach for your dog’s harness and touch it lightly when they get to you. As you touch the harness, give your dog praise and a tasty treat, then continue with the game.

Troubleshooting: If your dog is shying away from you when you go to touch their harness, sit on the floor with them and gently touch their harness. Reward and praise calmly, and try to make your movements slow and subtle – don’t grab or loom over them. You might want some squeezy cheese on hand to help your dog associate harness touches with nice things.

Remember to begin at a level your dog is already comfortable with. For example, if they’re happy having their chest touched, start there and gradually introduce further handling at a pace that feels safe and relaxed for them.
Staying healthy: If you’ve tried all the above and your dog still doesn’t seem comfortable, it might be a good idea to check in with your vet. Dogs can be great at hiding pain, so this might be a subtle signal that there’s something else going on.
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Build the distance

Use a longline or find a safe, enclosed space to practice in. Scatter some treats for your dog to find, then walk around 15 steps away from them.

When they are finished eating, call your dog and reward them when they get to you, touch their harness, then let them go and play.

If they recall successfully, repeat the exercise 5 times. Practice this once or twice a day over a week or so, gradually increasing the distance as you go.

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Up the distractions

Is your dog acing their recall in calm, low-distraction environments? Then it’s time to build in some distractions! Try and recall them with other people present, or in different environments. Slowly introduce new distractions. This is a stage of recall training that many dogs find tricky, so if you’re testing the water with a new distraction, it might be wise to use your long line.

This might be a good time to think about what your dog is likely to struggle to recall from. For example, if you have a very sociable dog who will struggle with recall around playmates, you might want to start off by practicing with other dogs in the distance. Once they’re succeeding at this level, get a little closer. Then perhaps practice around a dog who you know isn’t particularly exciting to them and build up the level of difficulty slowly.

Pro tip: It’s important to let your dog play and do the things they enjoy on a walk, and they need to know that recall isn’t the end of the fun. So, if your dog has recalled from a playmate, let them go back and enjoy themselves (if this is appropriate, of course). The more you can reward your dog in this way, the better.

Troubleshooting: If your dog isn’t recalling around distractions, lower the level of distraction until you return to a point where your dog is successful. If they were doing well in the garden but not at the park, you may have made it too hard too soon. Dial the distractions back and build up again slowly.

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Put your training to the test

Can you recall your dog from roughly 15 meters away around moderate distractions?

Not yet? Keep practising and remember there’s no need to rush. You can always use the games from Stage 2: Practise through play to really cement your dog’s learning.

Yes? Great – let’s move on to the next fun step!

Take me back to stage two
Take me to stage four!