There are two types of recall to be taught depending on the level being worked.

The ordinary straight recall requires the dog to be left in a sit while the handler, on steward’s command, walks away from the dog in a straight line.

They will be instructed to halt and face their dog and then further instructed to recall the dog to sit in front and, depending on the level, they may or may not be asked to send it to heel.

The dog should remain in a steady position until called and then proceed towards the handler and take up a sit position in front.

The dog should come without hesitation and move smartly to its handler with no deviation hesitation or lack of attention.

The sit in front should be straight, and the finish when carried out should end with the dog sitting to heel. In the lower stakes where this exercise is carried out within the limits of the lead the handler must ensure that the lead neither compels nor impedes the recall but is only used as a safety precaution.

Failure to wait and hesitation or deviation on the recall, are all faults which will lower the overall mark.

Although there is a requirement for dogs to sit in front and finish to heel once again consideration will be given to breed and size of dog and to the degree of which it is able to comply with the requirements.

For the advanced recall the dog may be left in a position of the handler’s choice but must maintain this position while the handler walks where instructed by the steward.

This will include at least one turn, and at some point, on steward’s command, the handler will call the dog to heel while continuing to walk where instructed.

The dog should join the handler in the heel position and both will continue walking until instructed by the steward to halt, at which point the dog should sit at heel.

For training purposes this can be taught on the lead with food or toys as motivation, but the object of the exercise is for the dog to hold a stationary position until called, and then join the handler and take up the heelwork position smartly, without hesitation or deviation.

The dog’s position should be that of its heelwork exercise and, as with that test, the dog should sit when the handler halts.

As this exercise is only carried out at Advanced level there will be no extra commands allowed, so the dog must be recalled on one command and continue heelwork without further instruction.