Teaching your dog to respond properly to a recall is a vital command. The reason why the recall command is so important is because one day it may potentially keep your dog out of harm.
Start at home. Go to your hallway and get a handful of small treats. Have a family member hold the dog at the end of the hallway and set your self at the opposite end.
Then call your dog in a friendly voice. Have your friend release the dog and as soon as he gets to you praise and give the treat. Then repeat exchanging places with your friend. Stay at the other end and call again.
The next step is take training to a safe fenced area and when you are sure that your dog has become familiar with its name and all the good things that come with it, go to an open space outdoors where there are more distractions.
Outdoors the exercise may get a little more challenging because there are sights, noises and smells that can distract your dog. Luckily, there will be plenty of good treats to keep him focused.
Catch him when he is busy or off guard. Now, let you friend relax and let the dog free again in the fenced safe area and catch him in a moment of distraction, such as sniffing the grass or barking at something.
Call his name, if he comes he has passed the test in flying colors or the fact that he still paid attention to you rather than something else is great and the dog deserves lots of praise and treats for it.
If instead he has totally ignored you, call once again in a louder voice, it could be he did not think you were talking to him. Just give him a second chance.
If still your dog ignores you do not get frustrated, rather go and get him but do not get mad at him. Practice a little longer on the recall, you need to turn the fact the dog comes to you an exciting event to look forward to.
If you dog is out loose while walking then you should not call him just to put the lead on to go home. Dogs are clever and will soon learn that you tell him to come means "the fun is over and we are going home."
Simply call him over and just praise him a lot and let him back playing or running around. Do this a few times to keep the dog guessing and at some stage just slip the lead on but let him play as normal. Then when you are rready simply take the lead in your hand and head home.