Obedience training
What are good recall games to play with a puppy?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Simple back and forth games work best at this age: two family members standing a few meters apart taking turns calling the puppy and rewarding with a small treat or brief play each time they arrive, known as a round robin recall. Hide and seek, where a person ducks briefly out of sight and calls, also builds a puppy's habit of checking in and coming to find you. Keep every session under 3 to 5 minutes so a young puppy stays enthusiastic rather than losing interest halfway through.
The round robin game with two or more people
With two family members a few meters apart, one calls the puppy's name and the recall word, rewards with a treat or brief praise on arrival, and then the second person calls a few seconds later. This game naturally builds enthusiasm for the recall word because it turns into a fast, rewarding back and forth rather than a single isolated request.
Hide and seek to build checking in
Ducking briefly behind a doorway or piece of furniture indoors, then calling the puppy's name in an excited voice, rewards them for actively searching and finding you, which builds the same underlying skill as recall from a distance. This works particularly well for puppies that tend to wander off and get absorbed in exploring, since it rewards paying attention to where you are.
Keeping sessions short and stopping on a high note
A puppy's attention for structured games rarely lasts past 3 to 5 minutes, so ending the game while the puppy is still keen, rather than continuing until they lose interest, keeps recall associated with fun rather than fatigue. Two or three of these short sessions spread through the day beat one long one for building lasting enthusiasm.
Key takeaways
- Round robin recall between two family members builds a fast, rewarding back and forth.
- Hide and seek rewards a puppy for actively searching for and finding you.
- Keep sessions to 3 to 5 minutes so the puppy stays engaged throughout.
- Ending on a high note, before interest fades, keeps recall associated with fun.