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LESSON 5 · Master the Basics

The Recall Bank Account

Think of recall like a bank account. Every time your dog comes and something great follows, you make a deposit. Every time coming leads to something dull or unpleasant, you make a withdrawal. A reliable recall is just a balance you kept positive for months.

So pay big, especially early. When your dog arrives, sometimes go beyond one treat — feed five in a row, or break into a quick game of tug. These jackpots tell the dog that coming back can pay off huge, which keeps them sprinting toward you long after training ends.