How to Train a Spaniel to Recall

Start training inside the house. So regularly give a ‘come’ command in a high-pitched, playful tone. The animated tone will encourage the dog to come to you. Alternatively, you can call their name instead.

As soon as they do come to you, hand over a tasty reward. You can also hold out a treat to lure them over. This will get them associating you with positive consequences.

Now take your Spaniel into your yard. Here there will be a few more distractions around so it’s a good place to up the training. Continue to call them over every now and then and always make sure to give a generous reward.

Once the dog comes whenever they are called at home and in the yard, then you can practice on walks. Continue to call them back, just make sure you only give the command once. You don’t want the dog to think they can wait until you’ve asked five times before they have to respond.

Now you just need to practice regularly. In fact, the more consistently you train, the sooner you will see results. Once they come back whenever you ask, even with distractions around, slowly phase out the treats.

Secure your Spaniel to a long leash and then take them out on a walk as you normally would. You can use a long bit of rope instead of a leash, if you would like. Make sure you have a whistle and some treats with you.

Once they have run off for a little bit, give a loud whistle in the dog's direction. Give it for just a few seconds. If you can whistle using your hands or mouth, that is fine instead. Just make sure it is loud enough for them to hear.

When you give the whistle, they will probably look up to see where the noise is coming from. They may not, however, come rushing back to you. So hold up a tasty treat or one of their favorite toys. You can also pat your knees and smile.

Be patient, eventually they will come charging back to you. When they do, you can hand over a delicious treat or play around with a toy for a minute. If they don’t come back, give the leash or rope a quick pull to encourage them.

Practice this several times each day. Once they get the hang of it, you can let them off the leash and practice. After a few days without the leash, they should be in the habit of responding whenever they hear the whistle. At this point, you can gradually cut out the rewards.

Head out into your yard with your dog and some treats or their favorite toy. You’re going to turn recall training into a game of hide and seek. Without them realizing it, they will soon come running whenever you call. Hold up the treat or toy so they can see it.

Once the dog has seen what is in your hand, you can run away and hide. As you do this, have a friend hold them by the collar so they can’t sprint after you. The very fact they can’t run will only make them want to come to you more.

As you go or when you’re hidden, issue a ‘find me’ command. Give it in a playful tone and keep it light-hearted. Note you can use any word or phrase you like. Your clever Spaniel can learn hundreds of different commands.

Have your friend let go of the dog and then wait for them to find you. If they are struggling, shout again to help them. But try to make sure to keep things easy to start with. Your Spaniel may give up if they have to try too hard. Once they do find you, shower them in verbal praise and give them some food or a toy.

Now you just need to practice several times a week. However, make it harder for the dog to find you each time. Now you can just use the command whenever you are out and need to bring your dog back to you. They will now be in the habit of coming whenever called.