Distraction Busters: Proofing Your Recall in the Real World

From garden to field to dog park — here’s how to layer distractions without losing your recall.

If you’ve been working on recall at home or in the garden and feeling pretty proud — that’s amazing, and it is a big milestone. But here’s the truth: home isn’t the final test. It’s the warm-up.

When I was first training Miku, she was spot on in the house — fast, focused, and flying back to me. But the second we stepped outside? It was like pressing reset. She wasn’t being stubborn. She simply couldn’t hear me over the world. The smells, the birds, the dogs, the grass — that was her classroom now, and I had to adapt how I taught her.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this:

Distractions don’t ruin recall — lack of preparation does.

If you call your dog in the middle of a chaos they’ve never practised around, they won’t ignore you out of defiance. They’ll ignore you because they’ve never had the chance to learn how to succeed in that moment.

That’s what this blog is all about: building your dog’s ability to listen — not just at home, but in the real world. Step by step.

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Understand the Distraction Scale

(and why jumping to the park too early can break your cue)

Distractions aren’t binary. They exist on a scale — and if we train like everything is “on or off,” we miss all the crucial middle steps.

Let’s look at what I call the Real World Distraction Ladder (coming soon as a printable resource!). Here’s an idea of how to break it down:

Level	Example
Low	Scented grass, someone walking past at distance, wind blowing leaves
Medium	Jogger running nearby, kids kicking a ball, another dog calmly passing
High	Group of dogs playing, rabbit bolting past, child shouting + running, wildlife distractions like ducks/geese

Your job isn’t to “beat” distractions — it’s to build toward them. Layer by layer.

📌 You’ll soon be able to download my Real-World Distraction Ladder to help guide your progress.

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Step-by-Step: Layering Distractions the Right Way

Here’s how to go from “my dog listens in the garden” to “my dog comes back from across the park” — without blowing your recall cue in the process.

 

Phase 1: Controlled Distractions in the Garden

Stay where your dog is confident — but start to introduce mild, managed distractions.

Examples:

• Place some treats in the grass

• Have someone walk past with a toy in their hand

• Throw a ball a few feet away, ask for a recall before they chase

Keep your long line on, but let it drag freely — we don’t hold it. We want the dog to feel free while still being safe.

Reward big when they choose you over the distraction. This is the foundation for future wins.

Phase 2: Low-Traffic Outdoor Space

Move to a new, natural location — but not a busy field yet.

Think: a quiet patch of grass, an unused football pitch, or a tucked-away corner of a park.

Set up the session like this:

• Start far from any known distractions (e.g., the goal line on a football pitch)

• Have a distraction placed or present at the far end (e.g., a friend with a calm dog, someone kicking a ball)

• Practise recall at the furthest distance

• Once consistent, move halfway up the pitch… then to the centre… then closer

This slow decrease in distance helps your dog learn to work around the distraction, not through it.

Phase 3: High Distraction Zones (with structure)

Now you can start to proof in areas like parks, walking paths, or near groups of dogs — but you still keep structure in place.

Key points:

• Keep your long line trailing

• Practise at a distance first

• Don’t let them self-reward (e.g., running to another dog uninvited)

• If needed, increase distance again or reduce intensity

⚠️ Don’t jump into a dog park and hope for the best. Even in busy areas, you control what distractions are allowed — and at what pace.

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Common Mistakes That Undo Progress

Let’s save you from the same mistakes I made early on.

• Jumping too far up the distraction ladder too soon

  → It’s not bravery. It’s sabotage.

  
  

• Calling your dog when you already know they’re too distracted

  → Don’t test them. Train them.

  
  

• Making recall mean “all the fun stops”

  → Mix in recall → reward → release to keep it positive.

  
  

• Not resetting after a failed cue

  → If your dog ignores you, go back to a win (get close, call again, reward). Don’t leave it hanging.

  
  

• Holding the long line like a leash

  → It changes the feel. Let it drag. Use it to prevent failure, not restrict freedom.

  
  

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Mini Recall Games to Proof Around Distractions

These aren’t just fun — they’re essential for generalising the cue.

Find the Food Recall

Scatter treats in the grass. Mid-search, give your recall cue. Reward with jackpot if they leave the treats to come.

Walk-by Recalls

Have someone walk past with a toy or calm dog at a distance. Recall your dog before they go into full alert.

Obstacle Recall

Place a toy, stick or ball between you and your dog. Cue the recall before they reach the item. You can also practise “leave it” + recall here.

Recall + Release Game

Call your dog, reward, then release back to what they wanted (a sniff, a toy, a dog). Teaches them recall doesn’t always mean “fun ends.”

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Miku Moment: Proofing Never Stops

If you’ve read my other blogs, you’ll know my journey with Miku hasn’t been easy. Even now, after years of training, I still have to proof her recall every time we enter a new environment.

Since moving to Tamworth, we’ve been exploring totally new routes — more dogs, more geese, more distractions. And she’s smashing it. But that’s not an accident.

It’s because I:

• Use her most valued reward (I know her currency)

• Keep her on a long line to prevent failure

• Let her greet dogs appropriately (so she doesn’t feel the need to rush)

• Make our walks interactive with play and games

This isn’t luck. It’s strategy. And even now, when dogs approach us, she waits by my side for release. That’s proofing — and it works.

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Wrap-Up: The Magic Is in the Middle

Your dog doesn’t go from garden success to park perfection in one leap.

They need to build:

• Focus

• Confidence

• And the ability to filter out distractions in stages

Each time your dog chooses you over the environment, you’re one step closer to a rock-solid recall. Celebrate that. Reinforce it. And remember:

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What's Next? Emergency Recall: The One Cue You Should NEVER Overuse

There’s one recall cue that can be an absolute game-changer — the one that cuts through chaos, distractions, and danger. But it only works if you treat it like gold.

In the next blog, we’ll cover how to train your Emergency Recall from scratch, why it deserves its own dedicated training, and the number one mistake that causes it to fail.

This cue isn’t for everyday use — it’s for when you really need your dog to listen. First time. Every time.

📌 Don’t miss it — this one could make all the difference.

Coming Soon