Adult dog manners: recall, loose-lead walking and settling

This guide is general information, not a substitute for a qualified trainer or vet. If you're worried about your dog's behaviour or health, speak to your vet first.

It's never too late to learn. Dogs Trust says any dog can be taught new tricks, and that training carries on into adulthood and beyond (Dogs Trust). Here's what trusted UK sources suggest for the everyday skills that make life easier.

How dogs learn

Battersea says dogs learn by making positive associations, and repetition is key (Battersea). The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) recommends reward-based training with praise, treats, toys and play. It says research shows reward-based methods are more effective and less likely to have unwanted side effects than aversive methods (BSAVA).

• Find what motivates your dog. Battersea says this can change during the day. Breakfast might be the top reward in the morning, and a toy might be best on a walk (Battersea).
• Get the timing right. Reward as soon as your dog does what you asked. A clicker or a marker word like "yes" can help (Battersea).
• Teach an alternative. Rather than just stopping a behaviour, teach one you can reward. For example, a dog who jumps up for attention can learn to sit for it instead (Battersea).

Recall: coming back when called

Battersea calls recall one of the most important behaviours you can teach, and says all dogs need a strong, reliable recall before they're let off the lead in a public place (Battersea).

1. Pick a special reward. Battersea suggests something your dog really wants and doesn't get all the time, ideally kept just for recall (Battersea).
2. Choose one cue and stick to it. "Come", "here" or a whistle all work. Dogs Trust suggests adding a visual cue, like opening your arms wide, and making sure everyone at home uses the same word and movement (Dogs Trust).
3. Start somewhere easy. Begin indoors or in the garden. Get your dog's attention with their name, give your cue, and reward them when they come (Dogs Trust; Battersea).
4. Don't keep repeating it. Dogs Trust suggests giving your dog at least five seconds to respond before calling again, and not calling if they're unlikely to come, so they don't learn it's fine to ignore you (Dogs Trust).
5. Add distance and distractions slowly. Use a long line attached to a harness while your dog is learning outdoors (Dogs Trust; Battersea).
6. Don't only call at the end. Battersea says to practise throughout the walk, so recall doesn't always mean the lead goes on and the fun ends (Battersea).
7. Stay calm. If your dog ignores you, getting angry or shouting makes them less keen to come back. Gently guide them in on the long line, or go and collect them (Dogs Trust).

Dogs Trust also reminds owners that, by law in the UK, dogs must wear a collar and ID tag in public and have up-to-date microchip details (Dogs Trust).

Tip: look for a large, quiet space for long-line practice on our dog walks and parks page. Always check local signs for lead rules.

(Ad) Product links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How this works

Loose-lead walking

Dogs Trust says one of the most common reasons dogs pull is that they've learned pulling gets them moving forward (Dogs Trust).

• Comfortable kit. Dogs Trust advises against equipment that "cures" pulling by causing pain or discomfort, and suggests whatever is most comfortable for your dog, such as a flat harness or collar (Dogs Trust).
• Reward being by your side. Start somewhere quiet, at home or in the garden, and reward your dog for sitting or standing next to you. Practise without the lead at first (Dogs Trust).
• Stop when the lead tightens. Stand still and quiet, and only move on when the lead is slack. Don't jerk the lead or tell your dog off (Dogs Trust).
• Build up slowly. Gradually add distractions, and go back a stage if your dog is struggling. Expect walks to take longer while your dog learns (Dogs Trust).
• If you can't always train, Dogs Trust suggests two different harnesses, one for training walks and one for when you're short of time (Dogs Trust).

Settling

Dogs Trust says it's important for dogs to learn to relax, whether you're busy at home or out at a café or pub (Dogs Trust).

• Start somewhere quiet. Sit on a chair with your dog on the lead and a blanket on the floor, and quietly drop tiny treats when your dog settles on it (Dogs Trust).
• Gradually reward calmer behaviour: lying down, then sighing, shifting their weight and resting their head (Dogs Trust).
• Slowly build up the time between rewards, then practise off the lead and with more distractions (Dogs Trust).
• Try not to tell your dog what to do. The aim is for them to learn to settle without being asked (Dogs Trust).

Tip: once your dog can settle, practise somewhere new. Our dog-friendly cafés and pubs page lists places to try. Policies change, so check before you go.

Reactive or anxious dogs

Dogs Trust describes dogs as reactive if they bark, lunge and pull towards other dogs, people or things. Reactive doesn't always mean aggressive. It's a sign your dog is struggling to cope, and they might be frightened, frustrated, overwhelmed, in pain or unwell (Dogs Trust). Battersea says some dogs react because they're worried, and others because they're excited or frustrated (Battersea).

Start with a vet check

Dogs Trust advises having your dog examined by your vet to check for underlying medical conditions (Dogs Trust). It explains that medical conditions can affect behaviour, and pain might not be obvious. A history of sore ears, for example, could explain why a dog has started growling when stroked near the head (Dogs Trust). The RSPCA also says to start with your vet, who can check whether your dog is ill or injured and refer you to a behaviour expert (RSPCA).

Then a qualified behaviourist

A trainer and a behaviourist do different jobs. Dogs Trust says trainers help you teach skills, while behaviourists deal with more emotional problems that simple training won't fix (Dogs Trust). The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) says Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Behaviourists on its registers work on veterinary referral (ABTC). Anyone can call themselves a behaviourist, so check qualifications (Dogs Trust; ABTC). Our guide to choosing a trainer or behaviourist explains which registers to look for.

Managing things in the meantime

• Learn your dog's triggers and their "threshold", the distance at which they can stay relatively relaxed (Battersea).
• Watch for early signs such as lip licking, yawning, ears pulled back or turning the head away (Dogs Trust; Battersea).
• Choose quiet places and times for walks, and calmly turn away from oncoming dogs and people (Dogs Trust).
• Keep the lead secure but relaxed. Dogs Trust says tension on the lead can make a dog feel trapped (Dogs Trust).
• When your dog starts to relax at a distance, reward them with praise, food or a toy (Dogs Trust).
• Battersea suggests teaching a "this way" cue, an emergency U-turn you can use to move away from a trigger (Battersea).
• Don't tell your dog off. It can increase stress and make things worse (Dogs Trust).

Dogs Trust says it can take 48 to 72 hours for stress hormone levels to drop after a reaction, and your dog may be more sensitive to triggers in that time (Dogs Trust). It also says that with the right support, reactivity can be significantly improved (Dogs Trust).

Dogs who seem distressed when left alone may need help too. PDSA says pain and medical problems can make dogs worried about being alone, so get them checked by a vet first (PDSA).

Find help in Liverpool

Browse classes and one-to-one trainers on our Liverpool dog trainers page, and find a practice on our Liverpool vets page. If your dog would be alone for long stretches, see our licensed day care and dog walkers pages.

In Liverpool: Wag n' Waves (L24) runs reward-based puppy and adolescent classes and one-to-one sessions (Wag n' Waves, checked 18 Oct 2026). Precious Paws (L24) runs owner workshops, including scent work (Precious Paws, checked 18 Oct 2026).

Raising a younger dog? See our puppy training basics and teenage dogs guide.

More in our training series:

• Puppy training basics: first months
• Teenage dogs: the adolescent phase
• Choosing a dog trainer in Liverpool

This page contains affiliate links, marked "View on Amazon" or 🛒. Affiliate disclosure. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Always speak to your vet.