Caesar Millan trains dogs—you just want yours to stop ghosting your recall cue, right?

Why Your Rottie Comes When You Call (Or Pretends They Can't Hear You)

Pro tips, hard truth, and a who’s-the-boss moment from your favourite four-legged behavioural expert.

Caesar Millan’s pack knows all about recall. But what if your Rottie just gives you the death stare and continues sniffing that tree like they’re decoding the meaning of life? If you’ve ever yelled “Come!” only to watch your dog slowly walk in the opposite direction… this post was written for you.

Here’s what changed for me: I used to chase butterflies instead of my hooman’s voice—now I stop mid-sprint at a whisper. 🤯

Meet the Recall Resistance Commander: The Rottweiler

Let’s get this out of the way: we Rottweilers are not ignoring you because we don’t love you. We’re ignoring you because we love independence. That, and sometimes your recall tone sounds like a bored voicemail.

See, recall isn’t about dominance. It’s about trust, play, and snack-based economics (aka: compensation for abandoning a really great stick).

Old-school recall tactics? They stink like week-old kibble.

Here’s what doesn’t work:

• Yelling louder (we heard you the first time, Karen).
• Using “come” only when it’s time to go home = betrayal.
• Calling us mid-squirrel-chase. Be realistic, hooman.

The Paw-fessional Training Shift

How a few expert tricks turned me from selective listener to recall rockstar

Let me throw you a bone: recall is less about command and more about relationship. Here’s how the pros (and one very handsome Rottie—you’re welcome) recommend handling it:

• Name + Special Word Combo: Pair our name with ONE reliable word. For me, it’s "Thor, HERE!" Anything else and I assume you’re talking to the mailman.
• Use a ‘Jackpot’ Treat: Your voice means leave excitement behind. Unless you’ve got roast chicken in your pocket, we might just pretend to be deaf.
• Chase Reversal Game: Run away from us. We’re dogs—we chase things. (You hoomans really do overthink this.)
• Recall Party: Sometimes call us just for fun—no leash, no vet, just a happy voice and a good belly rub. Keep us guessing.

“Training isn’t about control. It’s about trust, timing, and snacks delivered with flair.” — Thor, Rottie Extraordinaire

Why We Pretend Not to Hear You

Let’s address the chew toy in the room: Rotties are smart. Like, scary smart. This means we know when responding serves us—and when it doesn’t.

Consistent recall happens when we want to return to you. Would you abandon your dream pizza for a dry biscuit? Same logic, different species.

The New Rules of Recall for Rottie Success

• Never use recall to end play—use it mid-play, reward, then send us back out. MAGIC.
• Only use recall word when you mean it—don’t spam it like a TikTok dance challenge.
• Build the association indoors first, then add distractions slowly. Like Netflix and then Netflix with popcorn.

Let’s Talk Fast Results

Used to take 15 repeats and a backup squeaky toy. Now I pivot on the first call—no hesitation, no drama. That’s the power of reward-based consistency.

This One Thing Changes Everything

It’s not about being the ‘alpha.’ It’s about being the best place to come back to. If we trust that returning to you = party time, we stop testing if that tree smells better than your hugs (spoiler: sometimes it still does).

Here’s your mic drop moment: Recall isn’t obedience—it’s a loyalty test you have to pass first.

Now go grab a high-value treat, your most enthusiastic voice, and run away like a weirdo. We’ll be right behind you—with our giant heads, wagging tails, and yes, selective hearing switched to ON.

Catch ya on the flip side (probably behind the bush you just called me away from),

Thor 🐾

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