Training Games That Strengthen Your Dog’s Recall
If you’ve ever called your dog… and they completely ignored you — I know how frustrating that can be! When I first started working on recall, I thought repetition alone would do the trick. But what really helped? Turning recall into a game. When recall is fun, your dog WANTS to come back — fast and happily.
In this post, I’ll show you my favorite training games that strengthen your dog’s recall — and why they work so well. If you want the full brain training program that helped me build a rock-solid recall, here’s my personal link:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Table of Contents
Why Recall Games Work
When you turn recall into a game:
- It builds a strong, positive association with coming to you
- It teaches your dog to respond quickly, even when distracted
- It makes training FUN — so your dog wants to practice
- It strengthens your bond
- It gives your dog the impulse control needed to leave distractions behind
The result? A dog who comes when called — reliably, happily, and fast.
The Changes I Saw
Once I started using recall games:
- My dog’s response time got faster
- She began coming even when distracted
- Our off-leash time became much safer and more enjoyable
- She checked in with me more naturally
- Her overall focus and listening improved
This is the exact program that taught me how to build a rock-solid recall step-by-step:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
My Favorite Recall Games
1. “Ping Pong” Recall
Take turns calling your dog between two people — reward each time. Builds speed and excitement.
2. Hide and Seek
Hide in the house or yard and call your dog — builds focus and problem-solving.
3. Chase Me
Jog away from your dog and call them — dogs love to chase! Builds a fun, natural desire to run to you.
4. Jackpot Recall
When your dog gives a great recall, reward with extra treats and praise — reinforces strong recall behavior.
5. Distraction Practice
Gradually add mild distractions while playing recall games — helps your dog practice coming even when tempted.
Final Thoughts
If you want your dog to have faster, more reliable recall, turning training into a game is the key — and this program gives you everything you need:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
You’ll be amazed how quickly your dog’s recall, focus, and desire to listen will improve — when you start using these fun recall games!
Before I really understood how to teach recall, I used to get so frustrated when my dog would ignore me outside — especially when she was distracted by other dogs or smells. But once I started using games to build recall, everything changed.
One of the first things I noticed? My dog actually started to think that coming to me was the best game in the world — she loved it! The more we played, the more reliable her recall became.
If you want a full plan that teaches you how to build this skill step-by-step, this is the program that worked for us:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
Another thing that surprised me? Speed. Once we started adding games, my dog began running to me at full speed when called — instead of slowly wandering over like she used to.
And because we kept the games fun and positive, she built so much trust in me — which made her want to check in and stay connected, even in exciting environments.
Even short sessions — just 5–10 minutes of recall games a few times a week — had a huge impact on her reliability.
I also noticed that playing these games improved her focus overall — she became more tuned in to me, which carried over into other types of training as well.
For dogs that struggle with distractions (like squirrels, other dogs, or smells), adding games is one of the best ways to build stronger recall.
And because the games help teach impulse control, they make it easier for your dog to leave distractions behind and come back when called.
This is the exact program that showed me how to layer these skills and build recall in stages:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
I also loved that recall games helped reduce frustration — instead of getting upset when my dog didn’t come, I had fun ways to keep teaching and reinforcing the behavior.
And the more we played, the stronger our bond became — my dog looked to me more often for guidance, even when off leash.
Now, no matter where we are — in the park, on a trail, even around other dogs — she comes flying back when I call her, with a huge smile on her face.
For anyone struggling with unreliable recall, adding these kinds of games could be the breakthrough you’ve been looking for.
And this program will guide you through it step-by-step — even if your dog is super distracted or inconsistent right now:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
You’ll be amazed how quickly your dog’s recall, responsiveness, and desire to listen will improve — when you start adding these fun, effective recall games into your training routine!
One of the coolest things I noticed? The more we played recall games, the more my dog naturally started staying closer to me — even when she was off-leash. It built such a strong habit of checking in.
If you want to build that same kind of natural connection with your dog, this is the program that helped us so much:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
And because the games are fun for YOU too, recall training stopped feeling like a chore. It became one of our favorite ways to play and bond — and that joy really showed in how enthusiastically my dog responded.
You’ll be amazed how adding just a few of these recall games can completely transform your dog’s willingness to come — even in busy, distracting places.