One strategy might be to…

• Teach the recall or ‘Come’ command – do this at home initially without too many distractions. To make a great association with the recall or ‘Come’ command, try to rehearse the ‘Come’ just before you put on his lead, just before you play games with him and just before he gets any treat or positive feedback. In this way you are saying “if you come to me in this familiar way, something good will happen” so your dog is likely to be convinced that it’s a great idea to come to you when called! Using an excited tone of voice when calling your dog, alongside having soft and welcoming body language and a clear visual cue too – like putting one arm straight up in the air to signal the beginning of the ‘Come’ behaviour – will all help motivate your dog to want to come back when called.
• Training any dog correctly to a whistle is definitely worth considering early on too – using a whistle (an ACME Gundog whistle is a good choice) effectively is likely to significantly improve most dogs’ recall skills. A few quick pips on the whistle with your familiar visual cue (an arm moved straight up in the air or outstretched) should motivate your dog to come to you and if this is followed by a high value treat and one very excited owner, you will condition the whistle recall in no time. The point here, of course, is if you feel like you have a good recall behaviour and can count on your dog coming back to you, you will be able to relax when you let your dog off lead outside the home for the first time.
• One key point here is that you must get into the habit of letting your dog off-lead only when he is fairly relaxed and in listening mode. He must be asked to ‘Wait’ and ‘Sit’ for example, then wait for about 10 seconds of reasonable steadiness/patience before letting him have some ‘play time’. In this way you have started the off-lead behaviour by asking him to relax and listen to you, and he is rewarded as a result. Over time he’ll realise that you favour and promote a reasonable and listening mindset and should be more likely to listen the next time you want his attention.
• A really good idea is to walk with other people and their dogs too as other dogs (who come back when called) can often influence your dog to come back alongside and just having someone else there will help give you more confidence too. Practising with other people and their more experienced dog will breed confidence in you and in your k9 trainee.
• Start off by letting your dog off-lead in a safe enclosed area – a friend’s garden, a tennis court or enclosed field, for example, and try to have at least one other dog present who gets on well with your dog and always comes back when called. Practice giving off-lead time in short (e.g. 2 minute) bursts and then practice your recall (all owners calling the dogs at the same time), always remembering to reward a prompt response with a VERY juicy treat and lots of affection. Have confidence. If you get tense and anticipate a negative behaviour when you’re about to let your dog off-lead, then this is not a good starting point for you or your dog. Try to relax and pass confident vibes to your dog. Build up the frequency of your ‘off-lead play-times’ gradually and before you know it your dog will be enjoying himself off-lead in the park.
• Consider using a training-lead too – a very long lead that attaches to the dog’s collar and trails behind – if you feel this will give you more control and boost your confidence. You can hold the end of this lead at times and walk with your dog, and also let it drop to the ground so it trails behind your dog occasionally too.

As these are general guidelines only, please contact the LoveK9 team if you have particular queries relating to your own situation.