Making Coming When Called Fun!

Training your dog doesn’t have to be serious or boring.  In fact you both will enjoy training sessions more if you use as much variety as possible.  Training in a wide range of situations also helps your dog understand he should listen to you no matter what is going on.  These games are not only recall practice, they also provide mental and physical exercise.  Play these games to practice fast recalls and to give your dog a great outlet for all that energy!

Volleyball Dog AKA: The Come Game

You will need at least two people for this game but the more the merrier!  Everyone playing this game will need to have treats.  To start the game one person will hold the dog and one person will call.  Stand about 10 feet apart or so to start with.  The first person to call clicks and drops the treat between their feet once the dog gets to them.  Then the second person calls and does the same.  While one person is calling your dog the other person or people should ignore the dog.

Hide 'n' Seek

You will need at least two people for this game.  Have someone hold your dog in one room or area. Show your dog a treat and run off to hide.  Running away will pique your dog’s interest in where you are going.  At first you will want to hide in easier to find spots to set your dog up for success.  Once you are hidden call your dog.  If your dog seems confused, the person holding him should help him find you. When he gets to you reward him and make a big deal about him fiding you!

Away 'n' Back

This is an easy game you can play without even getting off the couch.  All you need to play is your dog and a couple different types of treats.  You will need one treat that rolls such as dry kibble, freeze dried liver or even cheeseballs.  The other treat should be something your dog finds very tasty (a ‘higher value’ treat then the first one).  Show your dog the treat that rolls, then when he gets interested in it toss it away from you.  Say something like “ready, set, go!” right before you toss it.  When he comes back, click and treat using the high value treat.  This teaches him that you always have the best treats and it always pays off to come when called.