Teaching your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to come when called starts way before you ever say “Come.” In this Week 1 video of my four-week Cavalier Training Basics series, I walk you through the #1 foundation step for a reliable recall: the Name Game. The whole goal is simple—when I say “Stewart,” I want that instant head snap and spin around like, “Oh, there you are!” Because if my Cavalier isn’t even looking at me, there’s no way a recall is going to happen. I demonstrate exactly how I start indoors with zero distractions: I toss a treat away to create a little distance, say my dog’s name one time, mark the moment he turns toward me (“Yes” or a clicker), and then reward. We repeat these short, easy reps throughout the day so their name becomes a predictor of good things—basically a little “woohoo party” in the boring living room. I also cover the biggest mistake I see: repeating the name over and over. If your Cavalier doesn’t respond, don’t repeat—adjust your setup (sing-song voice, better reward, fewer distractions), wait a beat, and help them succeed. From here, we’ll gradually add distractions, distance, and eventually take it outdoors.