5 months ago
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8
Posted On: June 3rd 2026, 07:00 am
I’m a dog trainer, but 5 mins really is often all I have for training my own dog.
But that’s OK! You don’t need to find time for separate recall sessions. Just weave it into the walks you’d be doing anyway.
My 5 min/day recall formula:
STAGE 1️⃣: PREP (3 WEEKS)
The first thing I’d do is build MASSIVE engagement while the lead is still on, because if your dog is mentally halfway across the field on lead, that’s where they will be physically when you unclip.
🧭 I’d use The Compass Points for this: Scent, Exploration, Environment and Partnership. Sniffing games, obstacle navigation, choices and fast-focus techniques that create an invisible string between my dog and I.
At the same time, I’d do a minute here and there teaching the recall cue - both verbal and whistle. Recall cue, reward, repeat.
STAGE 2️⃣: OFF-LEAD (EVERY TIME)
On each walk, before I even think about unclipping, I’d use ‘Check Point’ to see if he can be trusted (and his brain isn’t away with the birdies 😴).
Check Point is just a couple of simple cues he already knows. If he can respond to them quickly, he’s earned his freedom. If not, the lead stays on (and I’ll Check Point again shortly).
As the lead comes off, another quick fast-focus technique so he doesn’t get into the habit of flying into the sunset the second he’s free.
Then I’d let him explore, recall him back, reward and release again with ‘Off you go’.
‘Off you go’ because the recall cue shouldn’t predict the end of everything he was enjoying. Being able to go off and explore again 99% of the time means coming back isn’t a dull chore.
Then, I’d cue ‘Lead on’ and once he’s clipped, I’d do a few more quick activities he enjoys from the Compass Points 🧭Again, because being ON lead should be just as good as being off.
That is what I’d do with 5 mins/day.
The urgency in Franco’s little face when he comes flying back, his chops flapping with effort, tells me that really is all you need.
If you want help building recall into your normal walks using the same first recall technique I taught Franco, comment RECALL and I’ll send it to you for free 💌
But that’s OK! You don’t need to find time for separate recall sessions. Just weave it into the walks you’d be doing anyway.
My 5 min/day recall formula:
STAGE 1️⃣: PREP (3 WEEKS)
The first thing I’d do is build MASSIVE engagement while the lead is still on, because if your dog is mentally halfway across the field on lead, that’s where they will be physically when you unclip.
🧭 I’d use The Compass Points for this: Scent, Exploration, Environment and Partnership. Sniffing games, obstacle navigation, choices and fast-focus techniques that create an invisible string between my dog and I.
At the same time, I’d do a minute here and there teaching the recall cue - both verbal and whistle. Recall cue, reward, repeat.
STAGE 2️⃣: OFF-LEAD (EVERY TIME)
On each walk, before I even think about unclipping, I’d use ‘Check Point’ to see if he can be trusted (and his brain isn’t away with the birdies 😴).
Check Point is just a couple of simple cues he already knows. If he can respond to them quickly, he’s earned his freedom. If not, the lead stays on (and I’ll Check Point again shortly).
As the lead comes off, another quick fast-focus technique so he doesn’t get into the habit of flying into the sunset the second he’s free.
Then I’d let him explore, recall him back, reward and release again with ‘Off you go’.
‘Off you go’ because the recall cue shouldn’t predict the end of everything he was enjoying. Being able to go off and explore again 99% of the time means coming back isn’t a dull chore.
Then, I’d cue ‘Lead on’ and once he’s clipped, I’d do a few more quick activities he enjoys from the Compass Points 🧭Again, because being ON lead should be just as good as being off.
That is what I’d do with 5 mins/day.
The urgency in Franco’s little face when he comes flying back, his chops flapping with effort, tells me that really is all you need.
If you want help building recall into your normal walks using the same first recall technique I taught Franco, comment RECALL and I’ll send it to you for free 💌
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