Recall and lead training in Glasgow

Loose-lead walking

Pulling works for a dog because it gets them where they want to go. Trainers teach a loose lead by rewarding the dog for staying beside you and by stopping or turning when the lead goes tight, so pulling stops paying off. Start in a quiet place and add distractions slowly.

A well-fitted harness or collar and a lead of a sensible length help. Avoid equipment that works by causing discomfort.

Building a recall

A recall is trained, not hoped for. Start indoors and in the garden, call your dog’s name and a cue word, and reward generously every time they come, then practise on a long line in a safe place before adding distractions. Never call your dog back to punish them, or they will learn that coming back is bad news.

Where to practise around Glasgow

Pick quiet, enclosed or low-distraction places to start, then work up to busier ones. Around Glasgow, spots such as Kelvingrove Park and Art Gallery and Pollok Country Park are good places to build up, once your dog is reliable in quieter ones.

Whatever your recall is like, follow the local rules: the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which expects dogs to be under proper control and on a lead or at heel around livestock and, in the breeding season, ground-nesting birds. A good recall never replaces a lead near livestock, roads or water.

Glasgow dog rules

Scotland has its own dog laws. Under the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, a council officer can serve a dog control notice on the owner of a dog that is out of control. It can require microchipping, a muzzle or lead in public, neutering of a male dog, or dog control training.

Dog fouling is an offence under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003: Glasgow City Council can issue an £80 fixed penalty notice, which rises to £100 if not paid within 28 days. In the countryside the Scottish Outdoor Access Code expects dogs to be kept under proper control, and on a lead or at heel around livestock and, in the breeding season, ground-nesting birds.

Common questions

How long does it take to train a recall?

It depends on the dog and how much you practise, but most dogs need weeks of consistent practice, not days, and it needs maintaining throughout their life.

Is a harness better than a collar?

A well-fitted harness can be more comfortable for a dog that pulls. The key is the training, not the equipment. A trainer can advise on what suits your dog.

Can my dog be off the lead in Glasgow?

It depends on the place and the local rules. Follow signs and council rules, and keep your dog on a lead near livestock, roads and wildlife.

Is K9PN a dog training company?

No. K9PN is a referral service and does not train dogs. We pass your request to a professional trainer who covers your area. It costs you nothing to send a request.

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