Teaching a dog to check-in makes safe walks a shared responsibility. I want my dog to split their attention between their activities and where I am.

He can chase after scents, play with dogs, race into the woodlands and so long as he checks-in he knows we are connected. I can instruct him to return with better success when I have his attention in that check-in. If im out of sight he has learnt to come find me to check-in.

And if he keeps checking in and realises I haven’t moved he will return because thats what I have reinforced. Its always windy here, sound can be lost. Standing still is one of my recall cues.

This is a terrier who thrives in the countryside, he will explore far fields so long as im in sight and still moving. If I want his return, I stand still. A whistle can bounce off the trees and mountains, so this is what he looks out for.

Eye contact games, rewarding checking in when out on walks, “good” for continue “yes” for return and collect reward. Have a go!