top of page

Are You Repeating Yourself? Why One Cue is All You Need

  • Chelsie Grieve
  • Apr 9
  • 4 min read

Updated: May 16

Teach the value of clarity and consistency in recall cues.


Recall training your dog, say the command once.

When I first started poising Miku’s recall command “come,” I didn’t even realise I was doing it wrong. It started at home in the garden—I’d say “come,” she wouldn’t respond, so I’d repeat it, this time louder and more frustrated.

Eventually, I’d end up shouting “MIKU, COME ON!” across the garden. When she finally came? I gave her nothing—just huffed under my breath and shut the door behind her.


I wasn’t rewarding her for coming, I was unintentionally punishing her for being slow. I was also showing her that she could wait until I was shouting to respond… and that “come” didn’t really mean anything after all.


Does that sound familiar?


The truth is, repetition doesn’t strengthen your cue—it actually weakens it. And if you’re serious about building a recall that sticks, learning to say your cue once and mean it is non-negotiable.


Why Repeating the Cue Backfires


Dogs learn by association. When we repeat the cue again and again—“come… come here… come ON!”—we teach them that they don’t have to listen the first time. Or the second. Or even the third.


They start to believe:

  • “Come” means start thinking about maybe returning… eventually.

  • The cue is negotiable.

  • They can wait until you sound annoyed or desperate before reacting.


Not only does this create inconsistency, but it also makes your training efforts harder and slower. You’re not building a strong response—you’re building a habit of delay.


Clarity, Clarity, Clarity


I see this all the time—even in class, right in front of me. An owner starts off saying “come” as we’ve practiced, then as their dog or pup hesitates, they panic and say "come" again, only to then add to it:

“Come here!” or “Come on!”

Even worse, sometimes one owner is saying “come,” and the other says “come here” in the same session. That’s like trying to teach a child two different words for the same command at once!


Dogs thrive on clarity and consistency. One cue should = one behaviour. If you’ve chosen “come,” then that’s it—just “come.” Said once. With confidence.


The more consistent you are, the quicker your dog learns. And the more valuable your recall becomes.


Start Fresh, If You Need To


If you’re already deep into a repeated-cue habit, don’t worry. There’s a fix—but it means going back to basics.


👉 If you haven’t already, go read our blog: “Teach a Recall That Sticks: Your Step-by-Step Guide”.

It’ll walk you through how to introduce a brand-new recall cue and condition it properly from the ground up.


Sometimes, it’s better to scrap the word “come” altogether and start with something fresh like “Quick,” “This way,” or even a whistle. But only if you’re ready to reinforce that cue with consistency.


What To Do Instead of Repeating the Cue


So what do you do if your dog doesn’t respond right away?


Here’s what to do instead of repeating yourself:


✅ Use Movement

  • Run in the opposite direction.

  • Clap your hands.

  • Make an exciting sound (kissy noise, clap, pat your legs).

  • Hide behind a tree or bush if they’re looking your way (Miku loves the hide and seek game).


✅ Say the Cue Once, Then Act

  • Say your dog’s name to get attention.

  • Pause, wait for eye contact or a glance.

  • Say your new recall cue once—“Quick!”—in an upbeat tone.

  • Then make yourself irresistible.


✅ Follow Through


If your dog ignores you, go to them and calmly clip the lead on. Don’t repeat the cue. You want them to learn:

“You ignored it? Okay, training ends here.”

It’s not punishment—it’s clarity. And it works.


✅ Reward Like Mad When They Get It Right


If your dog comes on that one cue—even if slowly—REWARD. With treats, toys, praise, or a full-on celebration.


You’re teaching them: “One cue = come = good things happen.”


One Cue Can Save a Life


We’ll be diving deeper into this later in the series when we explore the power of emergency recalls, but the rule still applies:


If you ever need your dog to stop and come back instantly—maybe they’re heading toward a road, or a dog they don’t like—you don’t have time to say “come, come, COME ON!”


One cue. One chance. That’s all you’ll get.


It’s Okay—We’re Only Human


At the end of the day, we’re all only human. There will be moments where you slip up or fall back into old habits. That’s normal.


Even after over ten years as a dog trainer, I still catch myself making the occasional mistake with Miku. The difference now is that I spot it faster, I reset, and I don’t let the habit continue. That’s all you can do—stay aware and aim for progress, not perfection.


The goal is to make those mistakes rare, and to be intentional with every cue you give. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being consistent enough that your dog can trust what you’re saying actually means something.


👉 Next Up in the Series:


“The Praise Problem: Are You Accidentally Devaluing Your Recall?”

Learn how your body language, tone, and what happens after your dog comes back could be unintentionally ruining your hard work.









Comments

bottom of page