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Emergency Recall: The One Cue You Should NEVER Overuse

  • Chelsie Grieve
  • May 28
  • 4 min read

This life-saving cue deserves its own training — here’s how to build it properly and why you must protect it.


How to train an emergency recall cue

The Cue I Wish I’d Taught From Day Dot


When I first started recall training with Miku, I’ll be honest — I didn’t see the point of teaching a separate emergency recall cue.


I was focused on building her general recall (“Come!” before I poisoned it), and figured that would cover it all.


But then came the day that changed everything.


Lee, my partner, took Miku out for a walk. I’d said clearly: “Don’t let her off — she’s not ready.”

But of course, he did.


Moments later, she bolted after a squirrel — gone.

He lost her for about 20 minutes.


He didn’t even call me until after he’d found her (probably because he knew he’d be in the dog house!).


From that moment on, I committed to training a true emergency recall — a cue that meant drop everything and come back right now. Not when she felt like it. Not when the distraction faded. Immediately.


And let me tell you: this cue has saved us more than once.

But only because I’ve protected it like gold.


What Is Emergency Recall (and Why You Need One)


An emergency recall is a cue you use only when it matters most. It’s your break-glass-in-case-of-emergency moment — the one that cuts through chaos, distractions, and even panic.


It’s not your regular recall cue.

This one is:

  • Trained separately

  • Conditioned with only the highest-value rewards

  • Used sparingly, so it always stays sharp


It’s the cue that works when your dog is about to sprint toward a road, a dog fight, or a flock of geese. It’s the backup plan that only works if you treat it like one.


And most importantly:

It’s only effective if you don’t ruin it through overuse.


Choosing the Right Emergency Cue


The cue itself doesn’t matter — what matters is its uniqueness, emotion, and reliability.


You want something that:

  • You don’t use anywhere else

  • Is easy to say (even under stress)

  • Stands out clearly from everyday cues


Miku’s emergency recall is “What’s This?”

It works because:


  • It’s said in a high-pitched, excited tone

  • It always means something fantastic is about to happen

  • I follow it with her all-time favourite currency: a stick!


That’s right. My Shiba Inu is obsessed with sticks — she’ll ignore sausages and cheese, but a stick? She’s there in a flash.


Another excellent option is a whistle.

In fact, I highly recommend the ACME dog training whistle — because unlike your voice, a whistle doesn’t carry panic, anger, or desperation. It’s always neutral. Always clear. Always consistent.

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How to Train an Emergency Recall (The Right Way)


Phase 1: Pair the Cue with Value

  • Say your chosen cue (e.g., “What’s this?” or 2 whistle toots)

  • IMMEDIATELY throw a jackpot reward on the floor — 5–10 bits of food, one after the other

  • No delay, no “come here” — just cue = amazing reward explosion


Repeat 5–10 times daily in a calm, low-distraction environment.


You’re not calling your dog — you’re building a prediction:

“When I hear this sound, brilliant things happen!”



Phase 2: Add Movement

  • Say the cue, then run away a few steps

  • Scatter treats on the ground or play a quick tug game

  • Keep the energy high and fun


This step teaches your dog that the cue doesn’t mean “leave the fun” — it means fun is coming from you.



Phase 3: Low-Distraction Testing

  • Try the cue in the garden while your dog is mildly distracted

  • If they turn toward you or start moving, JACKPOT them

  • Use your long line if needed to prevent self-rewarding


Need reward ideas?

Try something irresistible like JR Pate or Tug-E-Nuff toys.

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Phase 4: Protect the Cue at All Costs

  • Use it only when you’re 99% sure they’ll succeed

  • Practise it once a week to keep it fresh

  • NEVER use it when you’re frustrated or out of options

  • NEVER use it for a normal recall


Think of this cue like a fire extinguisher. You test it, maintain it, and hope you never need it — but when you do, it must work.


Miku Moment: The Cue That Brought Her Back


There was a time I truly doubted whether Miku’s emergency recall would hold.


We were out playing when another dog started running toward us. Miku clocked it, froze, and then… started trotting toward it.


I panicked.

I didn’t want to ruin the emergency cue. I thought, she won’t come back now — not with another dog running over.


I hesitated.


But as seconds ticked by, I caved — I shouted in my highest, happiest tone:

“What’s This?!”


And to my complete surprise — Miku whipped around and bolted back to me.

Because I had her currency in hand. A stick.


That moment sealed it for me. Our emergency recall wasn’t just “good.”

It was solid. And I knew from that point forward: this cue would be protected with everything I had.


Common Mistakes That Kill Emergency Recall


Let’s avoid them:

❌ Using it as a regular recall

❌ Using it when your dog is too distracted to succeed

❌ Practising it without high-value rewards

❌ Forgetting to test or refresh it weekly

❌ Showing frustration when your dog returns slowly

❌ Saying it while angry or shouting — keep the tone happy, always


Wrap-Up: The Cue That Could Save Their Life


Your emergency recall is one of the most powerful tools you can have — not just for off-lead confidence, but for safety.


But it only works if:

  • You train it with intention

  • You use it sparingly

  • You reward it massively every single time


Train it like it matters — because someday, it just might.







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