Fun Recall & Engagement Games to Build Your Dog’s Focus and Joy
If you’re looking to improve your dog’s recall, or just build a stronger connection through fun and rewarding games, you’re in the right place! Recall isn’t just about calling your dog back; it’s about creating a bond where your dog wants to come to you, even when there are distractions.
Below, I’m sharing three of my favourite games to boost engagement and recall skills with your dog. These activities are simple, positive, and can be adapted for any dog at any level of training.
1. Stay & Recall Game
If your dog already knows a strong stay command, this is a fantastic game to build recall motivation.
How to play:
Ask your dog to stay
Walk away a short distance
Call your dog back to you with lots of enthusiasm
Reward generously when they come
Gradually increase the distance over time
Jayce absolutely loved this game, although he sometimes got so excited he broke his stay early! That just means he was having fun and eager to come back.
2. Treato Toss
This game helps your dog practise coming back to you while also encouraging their natural sniffing and foraging instincts.
How to play:
Toss a treat a short distance away from you
Let your dog go find it
When your dog returns to you, toss another treat
Repeat several times to keep the game flowing
It’s simple, rewarding, and builds a positive feedback loop for returning to you.
3. Find It (Treat Scatter)
This game is less about active movement and more about encouraging your dog to stay close and feel rewarded for simply being near you.
How to play:
Say “find it” as you scatter treats by your feet
Let your dog sniff around and enjoy the reward
Use this as a calm way to reinforce your dog staying close
It’s easy, enriching, and a great way to reset your dog’s focus during walks or training.
Why these games work:
These games work because they turn training into play and have a strong focus on rewarding the behaviour we want to see. Instead of making recall feel like a test, they reward your dog for checking in, returning, and choosing you, which is exactly what you want off-lead.
They’re especially helpful if your dog is easily distracted or still working on a solid recall.
Looking to improve your dog’s recall and attention? Try these 3 fun and force-free games to build reliable engagement and a stronger bond with your dog.