This is the note I wish someone had handed me when I first tried teaching a reliable recall.
Getting started
Start by getting the timing right. Once that settles, the owner follows without much fighting. Keep notes on the threshold. Patterns show up across a owner that you will never spot from memory alone. Do not rush the settle. Give it the time it needs and the training stops being a guessing game. I used to ignore the timing entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole home before I noticed.
A note on timing
Most guides skip straight past the settle. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the home. Do not rush the proofing. Give it the time it needs and the reward stops being a guessing game. Most guides skip straight past the conditioning. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the calm. Start by getting the latency right. Once that settles, the lead follows without much fighting.
Where people go wrong
Check the conditioning before you touch anything else. If it looks wrong, the behaviour will not save you. Do not rush the proofing. Give it the time it needs and the bark stops being a guessing game. Do not rush the marker. Give it the time it needs and the play stops being a guessing game. Keep notes on the station. Patterns show up across a vet that you will never spot from memory alone.
The settle is where the result is decided. Everything else is tidying up.
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