Hard to get my dog alone for recall training, any suggestions?

My 1-year-old dog and I live in a household with another dog, and every time I try to train my dog for recall, the other dog (who’s mostly trained) comes over and ends up confusing my dog. If I try doing it outside, someone always lets the other dog out, and my bedroom doesn’t have enough space for proper recall training.

I’ve thought about taking him to a park, but I’m worried that it might be too distracting, and I still need him to learn recall without distractions first.

Does anyone have any tips? Someone in the house has let him out accidentally a few times, and he always runs toward the nearby busy road, which scares me.

You could definitely go to a park, just be sure to use a long leash to keep him safe. Try to go during times when it’s quiet, like early in the morning or later in the evening, to avoid too many distractions. You can also start with very short distances, maybe just a few feet, and slowly work your way up. You’ll want to train in different areas eventually anyway, so your dog gets used to responding to you no matter where you are.

If you’re in the US, the Sniffspot app might be a good option. It lets you rent private spaces for you and your dog. I’ve used it a couple of times, and it’s been great. I get to let my dog run around and play fetch in a big fenced area, and it’s also a good time to work on training without distractions. Definitely worth checking out if something like that is available near you.

StephieStephie said:
If you’re in the US, the Sniffspot app might be a good option. It lets you rent private spaces for you and your dog. I’ve used it a couple of times, and it’s been great. I get to let my dog run around and play fetch in a big fenced area, and it’s also a good time to work on training without distractions. Definitely worth checking out if something like that is available near you.

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into that.

Hepburn said:

StephieStephie said:
If you’re in the US, the Sniffspot app might be a good option. It lets you rent private spaces for you and your dog. I’ve used it a couple of times, and it’s been great. I get to let my dog run around and play fetch in a big fenced area, and it’s also a good time to work on training without distractions. Definitely worth checking out if something like that is available near you.

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into that.

If Sniffspot doesn’t work out, check out Fly Dog Parks! It’s pretty much the same thing and might be available in your area.

StephieStephie said:
If you’re in the US, the Sniffspot app might be a good option. It lets you rent private spaces for you and your dog. I’ve used it a couple of times, and it’s been great. I get to let my dog run around and play fetch in a big fenced area, and it’s also a good time to work on training without distractions. Definitely worth checking out if something like that is available near you.

I was just about to recommend Sniffspot too!

You can start practicing recall in your bedroom, even with limited space. Use the command you plan to always use, like ‘Come here, Boris!’ and make it fun for him. Reward him with treats or a favorite toy. Even if he only moves a few steps toward you at first, reward him and keep practicing. Gradually, you’ll be able to move to bigger areas like the backyard.

If the other dog comes when you’re calling yours, ignore the other dog and only reward yours when he responds. That way, your dog learns to focus on your commands even with distractions around. Also, hide-and-seek games can help with recall and make it fun. Keep sessions short and positive, and before you know it, you’ll be ready for the park or other outdoor spaces.

Elijah said:
You can start practicing recall in your bedroom, even with limited space. Use the command you plan to always use, like ‘Come here, Boris!’ and make it fun for him. Reward him with treats or a favorite toy. Even if he only moves a few steps toward you at first, reward him and keep practicing. Gradually, you’ll be able to move to bigger areas like the backyard.

If the other dog comes when you’re calling yours, ignore the other dog and only reward yours when he responds. That way, your dog learns to focus on your commands even with distractions around. Also, hide-and-seek games can help with recall and make it fun. Keep sessions short and positive, and before you know it, you’ll be ready for the park or other outdoor spaces.

Thank you! I’ll give all that a try (although the other dog’s owner isn’t too helpful). For using toys, do I play with him after he comes to me, or just reward with a quick play session and go back to training?

“Hey, I’m taking the dog out for recall training. Please keep the other dog inside for the next 30 minutes.” When they forget: “I said keep the other dog inside!” as you bring the other dog back in.

RONALD said:
“Hey, I’m taking the dog out for recall training. Please keep the other dog inside for the next 30 minutes.” When they forget: “I said keep the other dog inside!” as you bring the other dog back in.

Haha, yeah, I wish I lived with people who actually cared.

I’d recommend going to a park with a 20-foot rope. It’s a great way to practice recall without losing control of your dog.

Hepburn said:
My 1-year-old dog and I live in a household with another dog, and every time I try to train my dog for recall, the other dog (who’s mostly trained) comes over and ends up confusing my dog. If I try doing it outside, someone always lets the other dog out, and my bedroom doesn’t have enough space for proper recall training.

I’ve thought about taking him to a park, but I’m worried that it might be too distracting, and I still need him to learn recall without distractions first.

Does anyone have any tips? Someone in the house has let him out accidentally a few times, and he always runs toward the nearby busy road, which scares me.

I have two Jack Russell mixes, and they get super focused when hunting. I use squeaky toys to get their attention during recall training. When I squeak the toy, they stop in their tracks and come running. I also back away when they’re coming toward me to make it more exciting for them to follow me. Then, I stop them for a sit, praise them, and throw the ball for a few rounds. This method might depend on your dog, but it works really well for mine!

Hepburn said:
My 1-year-old dog and I live in a household with another dog, and every time I try to train my dog for recall, the other dog (who’s mostly trained) comes over and ends up confusing my dog. If I try doing it outside, someone always lets the other dog out, and my bedroom doesn’t have enough space for proper recall training.

I’ve thought about taking him to a park, but I’m worried that it might be too distracting, and I still need him to learn recall without distractions first.

Does anyone have any tips? Someone in the house has let him out accidentally a few times, and he always runs toward the nearby busy road, which scares me.

You can practice right in front of your house and gradually work your way out to the sidewalk or end of the road. The goal is to get your dog to focus on you, and you can slowly increase the difficulty by moving to more public areas. Start small and increase the distractions step by step.

Hepburn said:
My 1-year-old dog and I live in a household with another dog, and every time I try to train my dog for recall, the other dog (who’s mostly trained) comes over and ends up confusing my dog. If I try doing it outside, someone always lets the other dog out, and my bedroom doesn’t have enough space for proper recall training.

I’ve thought about taking him to a park, but I’m worried that it might be too distracting, and I still need him to learn recall without distractions first.

Does anyone have any tips? Someone in the house has let him out accidentally a few times, and he always runs toward the nearby busy road, which scares me.

Look around for quiet areas where you can train. I take my dog to an empty field behind a church during the week when no one’s around. You might also find empty spaces near office buildings, schools, or parks that don’t get much traffic.

Hepburn said:
My 1-year-old dog and I live in a household with another dog, and every time I try to train my dog for recall, the other dog (who’s mostly trained) comes over and ends up confusing my dog. If I try doing it outside, someone always lets the other dog out, and my bedroom doesn’t have enough space for proper recall training.

I’ve thought about taking him to a park, but I’m worried that it might be too distracting, and I still need him to learn recall without distractions first.

Does anyone have any tips? Someone in the house has let him out accidentally a few times, and he always runs toward the nearby busy road, which scares me.

Grab a long lead and find a quiet place. That’s the easiest way to get your dog focused on you without worrying about them running off.