Obedience · Brittany
How to Train a Brittany to Come When Called
Updated · How we write our guides
Short answer
Train your Brittany using positive reinforcement with enthusiastic cues and high-value rewards, starting indoors before advancing to a long line. By gradually introducing distractions and practicing around bird activity, you teach this high-drive hunting breed that returning to you is more rewarding than chasing prey.
Brittanys are brilliant, high-energy hunters with an innate drive to chase birds and explore—making a reliable recall essential for their safety and your peace of mind. With their exceptional trainability (4/5) and eager-to-please temperament, Brittanys excel at obedience when properly motivated. However, their intense prey drive and boundless energy (5/5) mean they'll test your recall, especially outdoors. The key is teaching your Brittany that coming to you is more rewarding than any distraction. This guide uses positive reinforcement to build a rock-solid recall that keeps your dog safe while respecting their natural instincts. Start training in low-distraction environments, then gradually progress to real-world challenges.
How to do it
Step-by-step
Tick off each step as you practice it — your progress is saved on this device.
Step 1: Build foundation with high-value rewards indoors
Start in a quiet room with your Brittany on a 6-foot leash. Use tiny, irresistible treats (chicken, cheese, or liver—nothing kibble) paired with an excited, upbeat recall cue like "Here!" or "Come!" Reward immediately every time they turn toward you, before they even reach you. Do 5–10 short repetitions per session to keep your energetic Brittany engaged and prevent boredom-driven disinterest.
Step 2: Practice with a long line in low-distraction outdoor spaces
Once your Brittany succeeds indoors, attach a 20–30 foot long line and practice in a fenced yard or quiet park away from birds and other dogs. This gives them freedom to move while you maintain control. Call excitedly, reward heavily, and celebrate like they just won a prize—Brittanys respond to your enthusiasm. Repeat 10–15 times per session to build muscle memory without over-drilling.
Step 3: Introduce mild distractions gradually
Slowly add low-level distractions: a toy rolling, another person at a distance, or natural rustling. Keep the long line attached so you can prevent failure. Your Brittany's prey drive will tempt them to ignore you, so make your recall cue *more* exciting and rewards *bigger*. Never call if you think they won't come—set them up to succeed every time.
Step 4: Practice during high-energy play sessions
Brittanys have massive energy reserves (90+ minutes daily exercise needed), so train when they're already moving and excited. Call mid-play, reward, and release back to play. This teaches them that responding to recall doesn't end the fun—it pauses it briefly. This is particularly effective for this breed's high drive level and prevents them from associating recall with the end of freedom.
Step 5: Add bird-realistic distractions (the real test)
Gradually expose your Brittany to bird activity—parks with waterfowl, fields with wild birds, or even recordings of bird calls. Start with the long line, use your most valuable rewards, and celebrate heavily when they choose you over prey. This directly addresses Brittanys' genetic recall challenge and is the true test of training success.
Step 6: Proof in real-world off-leash environments
Only when your Brittany reliably responds on the long line in high-distraction settings should you attempt off-leash work in safe, enclosed spaces (large fenced fields). Practice frequently—recall is a skill that atrophies without maintenance. Continue high-value rewards indefinitely; never take your Brittany's recall for granted, especially around birds.
For the Brittany
Pro tips
- Use a distinct, exciting recall cue separate from other commands. Brittanys are smart enough to anticipate patterns—switch between "Here!" and "Come!" sometimes to keep them guessing and engaged rather than habituated.
- Train your Brittany's recall during their peak energy hours (mid-morning or late afternoon) when they're already animated and responsive. A tired or bored Brittany won't try hard, so work *with* their high energy level, not against it.
- Invest in a long line (20–30 feet) before attempting any outdoor recall. It's not a permanent crutch—it's a safety net that lets you prevent failures and set your energetic, prey-driven Brittany up to succeed while building real reliability.
Owners ask
Frequently asked questions
My Brittany ignores me completely when they see a bird. Is recall training even possible?
Yes, but it requires patience and higher-value rewards than you think. Brittanys have strong prey drive by nature. Start training away from birds entirely, then gradually introduce bird distractions only after success indoors and in quiet spaces. Use treats more valuable than birds (real meat, not kibble) and train when they're already engaged with you. Most owners underestimate how much reward power is needed to compete with prey instinct.
How often should I practice recall with my Brittany?
Train 2–3 short sessions per week (5–10 minutes each) once foundation is solid, plus spontaneous practice during your daily 90-minute exercise routine. Brittanys are intelligent and quickly bore with repetition, so vary locations and rewards. Consistency matters more than intensity—a 5-minute focused session beats 30 minutes of halfhearted drilling.
Should I punish my Brittany for not coming when called?
Never. Punishment teaches Brittanys to avoid you, not to come faster. Their sensitivity means negative reinforcement backfires, often increasing recall failure. Use only positive reinforcement—rewards, praise, and excitement. If they don't come, it's a training failure (environment was too difficult), not a behavioral one. Reset and try again in an easier context.
Can I ever trust my Brittany off-leash around birds?
With dedicated training, most Brittanys achieve reliable recall even around birds—but it requires ongoing maintenance and honest assessment of your dog. Never assume perfection; always maintain a long line in high-risk situations until you've proven success hundreds of times. Even well-trained Brittanys occasionally make mistakes, so off-leash freedom should only happen in fully enclosed, safe spaces where failure doesn't mean disaster.
Watch
Videos: recall for the Brittany
How to Train ANY Dog to COME When Called NOW! Choosing You Over Distractions
Zak George · Works for any breed
How to train your dog to RELIABLY come when called
Kikopup · Works for any breed
How to Teach Dog to COME When Called: Simple Recall Steps
Jack Cole · Breed-specific
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Email us — we review every report, fix the guide and update its date. Our guides are general education, not a substitute for a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
