I'm not sure I would use that method in training a solid recall. Training a recall, IMHO, needs to be highly positive and fun for a dog. The approach you seem to have taken is more compulsive. Eventually, he will come, not because he wants to but because he knows he will get a correction if he doesn't. When I recall any of the dogs I've had, they turn or drop what they are doing immediately and race to me, 100% of the time. They know something good is waiting for them, a treat, a pat, a party, etc.

The way I've learned to train a recall is to start with playing puppy ping pong. Two people, start about 30 feet apart, loaded with treats. One holds the dog while the other calls "come". Dog races to the other person, person marks, treats, and has a party, jumping up and down, lots of pats, and praise. Then that person holds the dog and the process repeats. Eventually, increase the distance, to include blind recalls around corners and from different rooms. Finally, move the whole process outside and begin again. The dog has a blast doing it and it's great exercise because they do get very tired.

If the dogs balks halfway or gets distracted, I don't correct. I keep upbeat, repeat the command, always upbeat, and walk to the dog, holding my arms out in a very welcoming, come-here gesture, until the dog notices. Then I lure the dog, backpedalling, with the come command, gestures, and make it fun for the dog to follow me back to where I recalled him from. Once there, mark, treat, and party again. I never go to correct or punish a dog while teaching the recall. It needs to be the most fun thing for the dog to do, come when called because something good is waiting for him when he gets there.

Anyway, that's my approach that I learned from some pretty good trainers and it has worked tremendously. Like Bob said, the recall and a solid down are the two most important commands the dog should learn. I've recalled or downed Bailey and my other previous dogs even while they wanted to charge someone comming into our yard or chase a squirrel. That's been the best test and so far, they've been solid with it so it's worked for me. I'm sure others may weigh in also. Just something to consider.

The girlfriend and I plan to start working on something similar to the puppy ping pong but we have a hard time working with him together due to schedule conflicts.

I guess I've been blessed. All the dogs we had, especially Bailey, have been highly driven by food rewards. I'll use a ball or tug toy as a reward for other behaviors like an "out" but I've just always used treats, following the principles of marker training. The key, IMHO, is to train the recall as part of your marker training, like you would any other command or behavior. Then, what separates the recall from other things I train is the wild, extensive praise and partying after I've marked the behavior and given the treat. Eventually, I make the treat more of a random thing but we always praise lavishly and celebrate or party for a few seconds with her with every good recall. That way, I'm not messing with a ball.

 Quote: Rob Maltese

The girlfriend and I plan to start working on something similar to the puppy ping pong but we have a hard time working with him together due to schedule conflicts.

It doesn't have to be with two people. You can do it alone. I sometimes simply put my dog in a sit and walk to somewhere else in the house, or when outside, somewhere else in the yard or around a corner. Then I work recalls that way. Gives you some exercise also. Another thing you might consider is just random recalls when you're both doing something else. I might be in the kitchen and my dog might be laying down in the living room by my wife. I usually have some treats with me most times anyway and I'll just give her a random recall at the least expected time. Same end result, you then mark, treat, and party.

Here is how I learned to train the recall to my pet dog. Honest to God, it finally clicked in my head one day while someone was trying to call their dog away from Turbo and I on a walk.
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We've all seen this scenario before.

Owner yelling repeatedly for their dog to "Come on".

After yelling for a few minutes, all the while the dog ignoring them, they resort to "Want a treat?"

Then the dog comes BLAZING in like it's @$$ is on fire.

Why not train the recall the same way the dog learned "Want a treat?" That bribe could easily become a recall command with a little tweaking.

That IS my recall training! Maybe not in those words, but every beginning recall results in a party with champagne and cocktail wieners.

The dog is never called and then corrected, and is simply reeled in when there is non-compliance (no correction and no reward).

... Every good thing inside all day start with the recall. Supper? Recall first. Ride? Same. Treat? Same. Walk? Same. Something not fun? Go get the dog.

... I never call the dog if I have ANY doubt, unless I have reinforcement (long line). Otherwise, he learns that it's optional.

... I I NEVER play keep-away.

... This basic foundation is done for a good period of time in my house, and the dog is not ever off-lead outside the fenced yard until it's solid, then venue-proofed, then distraction-proofed.


I have a friend who stands in the doorway and yells "TREATS!" and all of her 5 small dogs come a-runnin', screeching into the house and gathering like a cult at her feet.

I tend to use the reward less as a bribe... LOL.

But the point that the dog WANTS to hear that recall is a very very good point. I want my dog to pick up his head, perk up his ears, and dash to me, THRILLED to be called.