30/08/2026
The "Recall Freeze" (And Why Your Dog Is Ignoring You)
Picture this: Your dog is off lead, drifting too far ahead. You call them. They pause, look back at you for a split second... and then turn right back around and carry on.
That brief pause is a decision point. Your dog is weighing their options: Return to you, or keep going?
The biggest mistake I see owners make here is repeating the dogs name. The dog stops briefly, carries on, gets called again, and carries on. Eventually, their name just becomes background noise and returning becomes optional.
Name for Attention! Command for Action!
Use your dog's name to catch their attention and break their focus. But you MUST follow up immediately with a clear command to set the expectation.
See George in this video. He speeds off on the scent of something so I call him. He pauses and I tell him what I want. George-Come! If I didn't tell him what I wanted him to do, he would go self employed and carry on running to who knows where!
