Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson
Total Recall offers a clear, step-by-step recall program tailored for everyday pet owners, combining progressive distance work and distraction management to build dependable off-leash returns. Compared with more technical titles like Control Unleashed and the behavior-focused The Other End of the Leash, it’s more immediately actionable and cost-effective than prolonged classes or private lessons, making it a best-in-class practical starter for most households.
Reliable recall — pocket magic
Game-based training — playful pull
Reliable recall — pocket magic
Game-based training — playful pull
Review Summary
"Readers praise Total Recall for its clear, practical step-by-step approach to teaching reliable recall, with lots of real-world exercises; some note it requires patience and consistent practice to see results. Overall users say it’s easy to follow and effective for household and distraction training."
Stepwise plan — bite-sized wins
Clear step-by-step recall exercises for everyday situations.
Stepwise plan — bite-sized wins
Clear step-by-step recall exercises for everyday situations.
Increased Safety & Security
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Total Recall offers a clear, step-by-step recall program tailored for everyday pet owners, combining progressive distance work and distraction management to build dependable off-leash returns. Compared with more technical titles like Control Unleashed and the behavior-focused The Other End of the Leash, it’s more immediately actionable and cost-effective than prolonged classes or private lessons, making it a best-in-class practical starter for most households.
Reliable recall — pocket magic
Game-based training — playful pull
Stepwise plan — bite-sized wins
Clear step-by-step recall exercises for everyday situations.
Focuses on positive reinforcement and graduated off-leash progression.
Reliable recall — pocket magic
Game-based training — playful pull
Stepwise plan — bite-sized wins
Clear step-by-step recall exercises for everyday situations.
Focuses on positive reinforcement and graduated off-leash progression.
Really Reliable Recall DVD by Leslie Nelson
Really Reliable Recall DVD is a market-leading visual resource that demonstrates live training sequences and real-world proofing, making complex recall progressions easy to copy at home. As an affordable, on-demand video it complements text-based programs such as Total Recall and Kathy Sdao’s SMART method by providing demonstrations that often reduce the need for a few private sessions, offering clear financial value for hands-on learners.
Visual lessons — watch-and-do
Real dog demos — authentic fun
Visual lessons — watch-and-do
Real dog demos — authentic fun
Review Summary
"Really Reliable Recall DVD is commonly complimented for its clear demonstrations and hands-on techniques that owners can imitate, though a few reviewers mention the production feels dated and it may not cover every edge-case. Most buyers find the visual examples helpful for translating theory into practice."
Practical drills — backyard-ready
Video demonstrations showing training sequences in real environments.
Practical drills — backyard-ready
Video demonstrations showing training sequences in real environments.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Increased Safety & Security
Really Reliable Recall DVD is a market-leading visual resource that demonstrates live training sequences and real-world proofing, making complex recall progressions easy to copy at home. As an affordable, on-demand video it complements text-based programs such as Total Recall and Kathy Sdao’s SMART method by providing demonstrations that often reduce the need for a few private sessions, offering clear financial value for hands-on learners.
Visual lessons — watch-and-do
Real dog demos — authentic fun
Practical drills — backyard-ready
Video demonstrations showing training sequences in real environments.
Emphasizes reward-driven techniques and timing for recalls.
Visual lessons — watch-and-do
Real dog demos — authentic fun
Practical drills — backyard-ready
Video demonstrations showing training sequences in real environments.
Emphasizes reward-driven techniques and timing for recalls.
$25-40 CAD
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell
The Other End of the Leash gives readers a science-informed look at canine perception and handler influence, teaching the subtle body-language and timing changes that dramatically improve recall outcomes. While not a step-by-step recall manual like Total Recall or Coming When Called, its technical depth helps owners avoid common mistakes that otherwise prolong training and increase the cost of professional intervention.
Human insight — brainy empathy
Body-language cues — silent talks
Human insight — brainy empathy
Body-language cues — silent talks
Review Summary
"The Other End of the Leash is widely loved for Patricia McConnell’s engaging, empathetic insights into canine behavior and human-dog interactions; while readers treasure the perspective and stories, some note it’s more about understanding than step-by-step training. It’s frequently recommended for improving owner awareness and relationship with their dog."
Calm leadership — pup whisperer
Explores how human body language and tone affect dog responses.
Calm leadership — pup whisperer
Explores how human body language and tone affect dog responses.
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Skill Development & Mastery
The Other End of the Leash gives readers a science-informed look at canine perception and handler influence, teaching the subtle body-language and timing changes that dramatically improve recall outcomes. While not a step-by-step recall manual like Total Recall or Coming When Called, its technical depth helps owners avoid common mistakes that otherwise prolong training and increase the cost of professional intervention.
Human insight — brainy empathy
Body-language cues — silent talks
Calm leadership — pup whisperer
Explores how human body language and tone affect dog responses.
Offers behavior science context to improve consistent recall cues.
Human insight — brainy empathy
Body-language cues — silent talks
Calm leadership — pup whisperer
Explores how human body language and tone affect dog responses.
Offers behavior science context to improve consistent recall cues.
Control Unleashed: Creating a Focused and Confident Dog by Leslie McDevitt
Control Unleashed is the go-to advanced program for dogs needing focused attention in high-distraction or sport settings, offering technical exercises, pressure-release protocols, and sequencing that translate to reliable off-leash performance. More equipment- and skills-focused than most entries here, it pairs well with accessible guides (like Total Recall and the Really Reliable Recall DVD) and is particularly cost-effective for competitors and reactive-dog owners who would otherwise require frequent professional sessions.
Focus games — laser gaze
Desensitization drills — confidence lift
Focus games — laser gaze
Desensitization drills — confidence lift
Review Summary
"Control Unleashed is highly regarded for its structured exercises that build focus and confidence, especially for reactive or easily distracted dogs; users report strong improvements when they commit to the program, though it demands time and consistent practice. Reviewers praise its practical, progression-based methods."
Calm engagement — zen attention
Structured exercises to build a dog's focus amid distractions.
Calm engagement — zen attention
Structured exercises to build a dog's focus amid distractions.
Skill Development & Mastery
Increased Safety & Security
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Control Unleashed is the go-to advanced program for dogs needing focused attention in high-distraction or sport settings, offering technical exercises, pressure-release protocols, and sequencing that translate to reliable off-leash performance. More equipment- and skills-focused than most entries here, it pairs well with accessible guides (like Total Recall and the Really Reliable Recall DVD) and is particularly cost-effective for competitors and reactive-dog owners who would otherwise require frequent professional sessions.
Focus games — laser gaze
Desensitization drills — confidence lift
Calm engagement — zen attention
Structured exercises to build a dog's focus amid distractions.
Progressive games that transition to reliable off-leash skills.
Focus games — laser gaze
Desensitization drills — confidence lift
Calm engagement — zen attention
Structured exercises to build a dog's focus amid distractions.
Progressive games that transition to reliable off-leash skills.
$20-35 CAD
Coming When Called: The SMART Way's Guide to Training Your Dog to Come by Kathy Sdao
Coming When Called lays out the SMART methodology in a structured, programmatic approach dedicated to recall, with detailed progressions, troubleshooting and practical drills to build reliability. It sits between quick primers and high-skill manuals—more systematic than most DVD demonstrations and more directly applicable than theory-only volumes—making it a financially smart single-course choice for owners who want a complete, repeatable plan.
Distance-proofing — recall ninja
SMART progression — tested steps
Distance-proofing — recall ninja
SMART progression — tested steps
Review Summary
"Coming When Called: The SMART Way is appreciated for its systematic, stepwise method to teach reliable recall and for emphasizing real-life proofing; some buyers find parts repetitive or requiring advanced handling skills. Overall reviewers value its results-focused approach and clear protocols."
Distraction mastery — come rain or shine
Detailed SMART method protocol for consistent and strong recalls.
Distraction mastery — come rain or shine
Detailed SMART method protocol for consistent and strong recalls.
Increased Safety & Security
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Coming When Called lays out the SMART methodology in a structured, programmatic approach dedicated to recall, with detailed progressions, troubleshooting and practical drills to build reliability. It sits between quick primers and high-skill manuals—more systematic than most DVD demonstrations and more directly applicable than theory-only volumes—making it a financially smart single-course choice for owners who want a complete, repeatable plan.
Distance-proofing — recall ninja
SMART progression — tested steps
Distraction mastery — come rain or shine
Detailed SMART method protocol for consistent and strong recalls.
Stepwise practice plans for real-world off-leash reliability.
Distance-proofing — recall ninja
SMART progression — tested steps
Distraction mastery — come rain or shine
Detailed SMART method protocol for consistent and strong recalls.
Stepwise practice plans for real-world off-leash reliability.
$20-35 CAD