When you call your dog, do they actually come? For many pet parents, recall can be hit or miss, especially in distracting environments. But a strong, reliable recall can be life-saving. It builds trust between you and your dog, and gives them more freedom in a safe, controlled way. The good news? You don’t need fancy tools or hours of training every day. You just need consistency, patience, and a few smart exercises.
Here are five recall games and techniques that make “come when called” second nature.
1. Name Game
Start simple. Call your dog’s name in a cheerful voice while they’re close by. The moment they look at you, mark it with praise or a treat. This helps them associate their name with good things. Slowly increase the distance or distractions as they get better.
This is the foundation. If your dog doesn’t respond to their name consistently, recall won’t work either.
2. Back-and-Forth Recall
Grab a friend or family member and play a little game of tag. Stand about ten feet apart and take turns calling your dog. Each time your dog runs to the person calling them, they get a reward.
It becomes a fun, fast-paced routine that reinforces the idea that coming when called = rewards and praise. Increase the distance over time and add distractions to level up the challenge.
3. Hide and Seek
This is a great way to reinforce recall while tapping into your dog’s natural desire to find you. Hide in another room or behind a tree and call your dog. When they find you, celebrate like crazy, treats, play, pets, whatever your dog loves.
This keeps recall exciting and teaches your dog that seeking you out is always worth it.
4. Long Line Practice
Use a long leash (15 to 30 feet) to give your dog freedom while keeping them safe. Let them explore, then call them back periodically. If they respond, reward. If they don’t, gently guide them back with the leash and then reward when they reach you.
This allows you to practice recall in real-world settings without risking a runaway.
5. Surprise Jackpots
Once your dog has a good grasp of recall, surprise them every now and then with a “jackpot” reward, something extra special like a handful of treats, a tug toy, or a short game of chase. Don’t do this every time, just often enough to keep recall unpredictable and valuable.
Dogs remember the big wins, and this keeps them motivated to come even when they’re tempted by squirrels or other dogs.
Reliable recall doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s one of the most worthwhile skills you can teach your dog. Practice often, keep it fun, and always reward generously. The more your dog learns that coming back to you is the best part of their day, the more natural it becomes, even when the world tries to distract them.
