Recall Training an 8-Month-Old Leonberger

Reliable recall is the single most important skill a dog can have — and with a Leonberger, you've got a particularly interesting challenge on your hands. At eight months they're already substantial, they know their own mind, and the usual 'call and hope' approach just doesn't cut it. The combination that works best for most big, independent breeds is a high-value treat they genuinely can't resist paired with a long line so you can practise safely without the dog learning they can simply opt out. To point you in the right direction — how bad is the recall right now, and are you after training aids, treats, or both?

That one-in-five hit rate is actually a useful starting point — it tells you recall exists, it just isn't reliable or rewarding enough yet to compete with whatever else is going on. At 45kg, you're right that physical management is non-negotiable right now. Before I give you my main recommendation, a couple of quick questions: are you training in open fields or more enclosed spaces, and have you tried any treats so far that he's shown real enthusiasm for — meat, fish, cheese?

Perfect — that tells me everything. Regular dry training treats will get you nowhere with a dog like this. You need something with a strong, genuine meat smell that he can't ignore from twenty metres away. My recommendation is Forthglade Natural Meaty Treats — specifically the lamb or chicken variety. They're soft, they have a real meat smell that carries on the wind, and you can break them small so you're not filling him up in one session. Pair those with a Trixie Longe tracking lead — get the 10 or 15 metre version — and you've got your full setup. The long line means he physically cannot rehearse ignoring you, which is the single biggest mistake people make at this stage. Every recall on the long line, even a reluctant one, gets a Forthglade treat. You're just building the habit that coming back means something extraordinary happens. Run that for four weeks and the voluntary compliance will start to follow.

Go for the 15 metre if your open space allows it. With a dog his size, you want distance to practise a proper call before he's already past you. The longer line also means he gets the feeling of freedom — which keeps his arousal level lower and makes him more responsive. Just make sure you're using a harness attachment, not the collar, given his weight and the sudden stops that can happen. Get the long line, the Forthglade treats, and keep sessions to five minutes maximum. Short, high-success, high-reward. That's your programme.

Good. One last thing — don't call him unless you're fairly confident he'll come, at least for the first few weeks. Every time he ignores the recall word it gets a little weaker. Use the long line to make success almost guaranteed, load the recall word with those Forthglade treats, and let the word rebuild its value. Leonbergers are smart; once coming back reliably predicts something genuinely good, they'll get there. Good luck with him.