When i help people with recall i tell them that their dog should get alot of off lead experiences so that when they are let off its not a huge exiting thing...

I dont agree with keeping on a (short)lead.. you wont get anywhere with something like that..
but at this age he should be ready for some basic obediance (if he isnt already going) this will do wonders and your first step is telling him to come from any distance.. this starts in your garden.

Try using a whistle... at first he may respond but not later. However at the start when he is responding and coming over praise like crazy and give lots of treats.. so soon you should be able to call him back without the whistle anyway.

We have tennis courts in our area... its not really allowed but with young puppies i let them off in an enclosed court and teach them recall then. What i do is let them sniff around... and then call their name and run away from them..they run like crazy after me cause if they dont get to me in time i leave the court and they are in there alone for about 10 seconds which they dont like. Whereas if they catch me i stay and play with them.


Maybe you could start the training on a very long extention lead for a while?

Some others may have other methods.. this has worked for me and whom i have taught


edit - sorry i realised i had said dont keep a lead i meant a short lead