Calling your dog and watching them carry on sniffing is a very common problem, and it is almost never stubbornness. A recall (the word you use to ask your dog to come back to you) is a skill that has to be built up slowly, in places where it is easy, before it works where it is hard. Everything below uses rewards only. Nothing here needs shouting, tugging or telling off.
Why coming back is hard
From your dog's point of view, a scent trail, another dog or a squirrel is often far more rewarding than you are. So the job is to make coming back worth more than the distraction, and to practise in small steps so your dog keeps winning. The Dogs Trust and Mayhew both describe it this way: build the habit with rewards, then add distance and distractions bit by bit.
Pick your rung
Choose where you want to use the recall and how it goes today. The card suggests where to practise, what kind of reward to bring and what to do next.
Where are you practising?
How does recall go there right now?
Line:
Reward:
Next step:
Difficulty of the setting: of 4
A guide to planning practice, not a promise. Every dog moves at their own pace.
The steps, in order
Teach a clear cue. Use a short word like "come" or "here", or a whistle, and use it the same way every time. Mayhew suggests not using your dog's name as the cue, because the name gets used all day. Say the name first to get attention, then the cue.
Start somewhere boring. Indoors or in a secure garden, call once, step back and reward as soon as your dog arrives.
Pay well. Use high-value treats, a favourite toy and an excited voice. Reward every return, however slow, and only thin the treats out gradually.
Add distance, then distractions. Let your dog wander a little further before you call, then move to new places. Change one thing at a time.
Use a long line outside. It keeps your dog safe while you practise. Use a proper long line on a harness, not an extendable lead.
Mistakes that undo the work
Calling again and again. If your dog is not listening, repeating the cue teaches them to ignore it. Call once, and only when you are fairly sure they will come.
Telling your dog off when they arrive. Even if it took ages, a dog who gets shouted at learns that coming back is a bad idea. Stay calm and reward.
Dragging them in on the lead. Reeling a dog in is fine to guide them gently on a long line, but yanking them towards you can put them off coming.
Letting them off too early. Until recall is reliable, keep them on a long line or in secure fenced areas.
Call only when you think they'll come, pay well every time, and make the place harder one rung at a time.
When to ask for help
If progress stalls, or your dog seems anxious or very reactive outdoors, ask your vet to rule out any health reasons and then find a qualified, reward-based trainer or behaviourist. Keep your dog's collar tag and microchip details up to date too, so a lost dog can be returned quickly.