This morning I took my 3 out for a walk and as 2 of them have an unreliable recall when other dogs are around I keep them on a long lead. There is field close by that is hardly ever used by other dog walkers so I often let them off in there. They are usually very good and I keep calling them and give treats when they come. My yorkie this morning decided he wasn't going to come back at all today and ran off. I could see him trying  to get through at the edges of the field and he for a while disappeared through a small brook but fortunately the field is quite secure and he couldn't get out. Eventually he came to me as I called him and ran in the opposite direction. I must admit I felt very scared for a while about what I was  going to do if he disappeared. For now I think he will be kept on a long line on our walks until I am more confident of his recall so its back to the beginning for us I think. After reading another thread about recalls people mentioned "high value rewards". What would you consider to be a high value reward , or what do you use as a treat for recalls?
jane

Use whatever motivates that dog the most. Food or toy. I have used dried liver pieces, dried trip. Stinky but it works. Sometimes I will take 2 different food items with me to mix things up and keep him guessing as to what he will get next. I would use whatever your little guy loooves.

Hopefully he was also scared a little by your separation that he wont be so keen to wander off in the future.

Hot dogs, sausage, liver, ham, chicken -anything like this tend to be loved by most dogs. I have one awkward bitch though that turns her nose up at all of this, she only wants treats she can crunch -so I have started using dry cat food. Tiny pieces which is perfect.

I use the small kibble from Pedigree Better By Nature as general basic treats - in pockets for walking, or in a small box by the back door.  I mix this with other 'dry' treats so it's easier to bung a handful in my pocket.

High value treats for mine are soft meats such as chicken, sausage or ham, and I use cheese too.  Because they go mushy I tend to put these in a plastic takeaway container and I can get amazing recall just by taking the lid off!!  High value simply means something your dogs will do anything for :)

Something else that works really well for mine is salami sausage stuff from pets at home, it's a bit greasy and garlicky and mine love it.  It's half way between wet and dry and it's a good one to mix with other treats as it spreads it's flavour and smell around. I don't like feeding too much of this one though as I'm sure there's nothing much 'good' in it!!

When I have all this stuff in combination the dogs never know what's coming out next so they tend to keep me within sight - just in case I put my hand in my pocket...

Something that can help with dodgy recall is associating the treat with a whistle.  Start in the garden first and every time you blow, throw your dog a treat.  Gradually bring the treats closer to you, then reward with collar held, then lead attached.  Your not training recall as such but letting your dog know that the whistle equals food.   Sometimes, at random, give a handful of food.  This will help a food motivated dog to pay attention to you.  Finally before you go walking let your dogs see you loading your pockets with food :)

I use really stinky pepperoni sausage, because he (and the rest of the world) can smell it on me, he tends to be on his best behaviour when I have it. As other posters have suggested, some thing he loves - chicken, ham, those hot dog sausages in a tin are good because you can tear pieces off.

Right, it seems to be the smellier the better then!!! Lol. Will experiment at home to see what it is that they love the most. Unfortunately I don't think he was in the least bit scared that he had lost me. He was acting a bit strange actually and I was quite worried. Even though he is neutered is it possible that he would still go after the scent of a bitch in season? Still alls well that ends well and he came back in the end.
jane

I would also agree with the other posters about the various treats,but i have also found that taking a small square or round plastic box with the treats in that you can shake to get their attention,this will only work with hard treats but you can keep the wetter treats in a little bag this has so far worked with our puppy boxer.debby

Whatever you use-warming the treats slightly in the oven first increases their value loads!