Best Way To Train A Labrador To Come When Called
A Labrador that doesn’t come when called isn’t just frustrating—it’s a safety risk. If your dog bolts into traffic or refuses to return at the park, you’ve got a serious problem on your hands. The good news? Labradors are smart, eager to please, and highly food-motivated, which makes training recall easier than with some other breeds. But that doesn’t mean they’ll just magically listen—you need to train them correctly and consistently.
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I’ve worked with plenty of Labs. When trained properly, they come back the second you call them. When trained poorly? They ignore you, chase distractions, and act like they’ve never heard their name before.
Let’s go over the best way to train your Labrador to come when called—every single time.
1. Never Call Them for Something Negative
Your dog should always associate coming to you with something positive. If you call your Lab and then scold them, give them a bath (which they hate), or end their fun, they’ll start ignoring you.
👉 What NOT to Do:
🚫 Call them and then clip their nails (if they hate it).
🚫 Call them and then leave the dog park immediately.
🚫 Call them in an angry tone after they misbehave.
👉 What TO Do Instead:
✅ Call them and reward them every time.
✅ Use their name in a happy, inviting voice.
✅ Occasionally call them, give a treat, and let them go back to playing—this stops them from thinking “coming = fun is over.”
💡 Pro Tip: If you have to do something unpleasant (like a bath), go get them yourself—don’t call them and ruin their recall training.
2. Use a High-Value Reward (Not Just Kibble)
Labradors love food, but let’s be real—if they’re chasing a squirrel, a boring dry treat isn’t going to cut it. You need high-value rewards that make them choose you over any distraction.
👉 Best Recall Rewards for Labs:
🥩 Tiny pieces of cooked chicken, turkey, or steak
🧀 Cheese cubes or string cheese
🐟 Freeze-dried liver or fish treats
🥓 Small bits of bacon or hot dog (occasionally)
💡 Pro Tip: Mix up the treats so they never know what’s coming. This keeps them excited and responsive.
3. Pick a Strong Recall Word & Stick to It
Don’t just yell their name over and over. Use a specific recall word or phrase that always means “drop everything and come back now.”
👉 Best Recall Words:
✅ “Come!” – Classic and easy to remember.
✅ “Here!” – Short and effective.
✅ “Let’s go!” – Works well for off-leash training.
💡 Pro Tip: Everyone in the house should use the same recall word—otherwise, your dog will get confused.
4. Start Training on a Long Leash in a Low-Distraction Area
Before expecting them to come off-leash, train them on a long leash (15-30 feet). Start in a quiet area where there’s nothing to distract them.
👉 How to Train on a Long Leash:
1️⃣ Call their name + recall word (“Max, come!”).
2️⃣ Hold out a treat so they see the reward.
3️⃣ Gently tug the leash if they hesitate.
4️⃣ Praise and reward IMMEDIATELY when they reach you.
💡 Pro Tip: Never yank them toward you—make it rewarding so they come willingly.
5. Gradually Increase Distractions
Once they come reliably on the long leash, start practicing in busier places—your backyard, a park, or a safe field.
👉 How to Introduce Distractions:
✅ Practice around other dogs but on-leash.
✅ Add toys, food, or noises to test their focus.
✅ Train in different locations so they don’t only listen at home.
💡 Pro Tip: If they ignore you, don’t repeat the command over and over. Instead, go back to an easier environment and reinforce the basics.
6. Make Recall a Game (So They Love It)
If training is boring, your Lab won’t stay interested. Turn it into a game so they love coming to you.
👉 Fun Recall Games:
🎾 Fetch + Recall – Throw a ball, let them chase it, call them back before throwing again.
🏃♂️ Chase Me Game – Call them and run the opposite direction—they’ll chase you.
🐾 Hide and Seek – Call them from another room and reward them when they find you.
💡 Pro Tip: The more fun and unpredictable you make recall, the more they’ll WANT to come back.
7. NEVER Punish Them for Coming Late
If your Lab takes their sweet time getting back, do NOT punish them. If you yell at them, next time they’ll run the other way instead of coming to you.
👉 What to Do If They Hesitate:
✅ Stay happy and encouraging.
✅ Reward them even if they took too long.
✅ Work on making yourself more exciting than distractions.
💡 Pro Tip: If they ignore you completely, go back to leash training and reinforce the basics.
8. Use a Recall Emergency Word for Life-or-Death Situations
You should have one special word that means “Come RIGHT NOW, no matter what.” This is for emergencies only—like if they’re running into traffic.
👉 How to Train an Emergency Recall:
1️⃣ Pick a unique word (like “NOW!” or “TO ME!”).
2️⃣ Use it only in training at first with a HUGE reward.
3️⃣ Call them once, and when they come, jackpot reward—5-10 treats in a row.
4️⃣ NEVER use this word casually—only for real emergencies.
💡 Pro Tip: If you use it too often for normal recall, it’ll lose its urgency.
Final Thoughts: Train Smart, Stay Consistent
Labradors are loyal, intelligent, and eager to please, but if you don’t train them properly, they’ll ignore you when it matters most.
✅ Never call them for something negative.
✅ Use high-value treats to reinforce recall.
✅ Pick a strong recall word and use it consistently.
✅ Start training in low-distraction areas, then increase difficulty.
✅ Make recall fun—turn it into a game.
✅ NEVER punish them for coming late.
✅ Teach an emergency recall word for life-or-death situations.
Train the right way from the start, and your Labrador will come running every single time you call—no hesitation, no second-guessing, just pure loyalty.
