Puppy Training
Puppy Recall Games
beginner · 1–2 weeks of short sessions
Recall means your puppy comes to you when called. It is one of the most useful skills you can teach and can keep your dog safe for life. Because your puppy already responds to their name, you have a great head start. Expect small, playful sessions of 3–5 minutes. Puppies tire quickly, so short and fun beats long and repetitive every time.
Master these first
What you'll need
- Small soft treats (pea-sized, easy to chew fast)
- A 10–15 ft lightweight long line (for outdoor practice)
- A treat pouch or pocket for quick delivery
- A cheerful, consistent recall word (e.g., 'Come' or 'Here')
Step by step
1. Pick one recall cue and stick with it
Choose a single word — 'Come' is common. Everyone in the household must use the same word. Mixing cues confuses puppies and slows learning.
2. Start indoors with zero distractions
Sit or kneel on the floor a few feet from your puppy. Say their name, then your cue in a happy voice: 'Buddy, come!' The moment they move toward you, praise warmly and deliver a treat the instant they reach you.
3. Make arriving feel like a party
Every time your puppy reaches you, give several small treats one by one, gentle praise, and a brief scratch if they enjoy touch. Coming to you should always feel like the best thing that happened all day.
4. Play the Ping-Pong game
Sit on the floor with another person a few feet apart. Take turns calling the puppy back and forth. Each arrival earns treats and praise. This builds speed and enthusiasm for the cue.
5. Add a little distance indoors
Once your puppy comes reliably from a few feet, call them from across the room. Keep the energy upbeat. If they hesitate, crouch down, clap gently, or take a step backward to encourage movement toward you.
6. Introduce the 'run away' game
Say your recall cue, then turn and jog a few steps away from your puppy. Most puppies will chase you. When they catch up, reward generously. Movement makes the game irresistible.
7. Practice in a safely enclosed outdoor space
Move sessions to a fenced yard or quiet outdoor area. Distractions are higher outside, so shorten the distance again and increase treat value. Use especially tasty treats outdoors.
8. Attach a long line for added safety
Clip a lightweight long line to your puppy's harness before practicing in open or semi-open spaces. Let it drag loosely. It is a safety net, not a tool to reel them in. Never yank or pull the line.
9. Proof with mild distractions
Practice near low-level distractions: a toy on the floor, another calm person nearby. Call your puppy before they are fully fixated on the distraction. Reward heavily when they choose to come.
10. Never call your puppy for something unpleasant
Avoid calling 'Come' before a bath, nail trim, or the end of playtime. For those moments, go get your puppy instead. Protect the recall cue so it always predicts good things.
11. Keep sessions short and end on a win
Three to five minutes per session, two or three times a day is plenty. Always finish with a successful repetition so your puppy ends the session feeling confident and happy.
Troubleshooting
My puppy looks at me but does not move toward me.
Reduce the distance to just one or two feet. Crouch down, open your arms, and use an extra-exciting treat. Build momentum from very close before adding distance again.
My puppy comes partway and then veers off.
Make your body language more inviting: crouch, turn slightly sideways, and back up a step or two. Reward the moment they close the gap, even if arrival is a little messy at first.
My puppy ignores the cue outdoors.
Outdoors is much harder. Go back to basics: shorten distance, upgrade to higher-value treats like small pieces of cooked chicken, and practice at a quiet time of day with fewer distractions.
My puppy used to come reliably but has started ignoring the cue.
This is common around 4–6 months as puppies grow more independent. Avoid repeating the cue multiple times. Go back to easier distances, increase reward value, and rebuild the habit with more repetitions.
If your puppy shows sudden behavior changes, fear, or any aggression, consult your veterinarian to rule out medical causes and work with a certified professional trainer for personalized guidance.
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