Every day I see people unintentionally making their dog’s recall worse without realising it — it’s such an easy trap to fall into. 🐕

I live next to a small enclosed park, and it’s become a bit of a magnet for dogs who struggle with recall. Owners bring them in, unclip the lead and… the dog spends the entire time zooming around, doing their own thing, completely ignoring the human. The owner calls, the dog doesn’t come back, and everyone gets frustrated. 😬

On the surface, it looks like a great idea: a safe, enclosed space where the dog can stretch their legs without the worry of them disappearing over the horizon. But for many dogs, especially those with unreliable recall, this well-meant approach actually makes the problem worse.

Let’s talk about why.

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The Real Issue: Rehearsal of the Wrong Behaviour

Dogs get better at whatever they practise.

And when a dog spends 20–30 minutes running around a small park ignoring their owner, they’re rehearsing exactly that. Every minute they choose the environment over the handler, they’re strengthening the behaviour of not coming back.

Meanwhile:

• The smells are interesting
• The squirrels are exciting
• The other dogs are fun
• And your voice fades into the background

In training terms, the environment is doing all the rewarding. 🌳🐿️

So the next time you call them? They already know ignoring you pays off.

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Why Secure Fields and Small Parks Aren’t Automatically “Training Spaces”

Secure fields and fenced parks can be brilliant tools — but only if they’re used intentionally.

Simply unclipping the lead and hoping recall will “get better with practice” rarely works. In fact, it usually backfires.

Dogs need structure, not freedom without guidance. Freedom is earned through successful, reinforced behaviour… not handed out in the hope that it might magically improve things.

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So What Should You Do?

Here are a few ways to use enclosed spaces to actually improve recall instead of weakening it:

🐾 1. Keep Off-Lead Time in Short, Controlled Bursts

Don’t let the dog drift too far away and disconnect. Clip the lead back on before they switch off from you.

🐾 2. Reward Every Return — Even Tiny Ones

If your dog takes a few steps towards you, mark and reward it. You’re building a positive habit loop.

🐾 3. Play Engagement Games

Make yourself more rewarding than the environment:

• Tug toys
• Food games
• Chase-me
• Orientation games

These keep the dog checking in with you.

🐾 4. Don’t Let the Environment Do All the Rewarding

If your dog ignores you for 10 minutes and nothing changes… they learn that ignoring works.
Reinforcement drives behaviour — make sure it’s coming from you.

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It’s Not Your Dog Being “Naughty”

If you’re struggling with recall, it’s not because your dog is stubborn or disobedient. They’re simply doing what works best for them. Running off is genuinely more fun than coming back — unless we teach them differently. 💡

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A Little Structure Goes a Very Long Way

I don’t say any of this to judge. I see lovely owners doing their best every day in that little park outside my home. ❤️
But I also see how quickly recall can spiral when dogs get too much freedom too soon.

With the right games, training plans and structured sessions, recall can improve massively — and it becomes something your dog wants to do, not something they feel they have to do.

If you’d like help building reliable recall, or want support using secure fields in a way that strengthens training, I’m always happy to chat. Sometimes a small amount of guidance makes all the difference. 🐶💛