Recall training is a vital part of any dog's education. Getting your pup to come when called, regardless of the situation or distraction, is an essential skill that should be mastered at an early age. 

Fortunately, there are some fun games you can play with your pup that will help cement their recall skills for life. Here are some of the most effective and entertaining workouts you can do with your furry friend.

Race to a Toy

Race to a toy is an excellent way to help your dog nail their recall training. During this game, you'll typically use two toys—one for your dog and one for yourself. You can start by holding your dog's toy in one hand while standing a few feet away from them. Then, with the other hand, hold your toy above your head while calling out commands like "come!" or "get it!"

Your dog should then race toward you to receive their toy—the reward. As they reach you, reward them with affection and praise before letting them return to the starting point. This strategy helps to reinforce the idea that coming back when called has its own rewards and will encourage future obedience.

Over time, as your pup becomes more skilled at recall training, you can increase the distance between you and them as they chase after their toy. You can also introduce additional commands such as "sit" or "speak," which must be completed before reaching their treat.

Race to a toy is a fun and effective way to keep your pup motivated during their recall training sessions.

Find the Treats 

Find the treats is another great game for teaching your pup recall training. For this activity, simply hide a few treats around the house and call your dog to find them.

When you call out the command "come!" your pup should start sniffing around for their treats. They can either have a specific area to look in, or you can give them hints by pointing toward where the treats are hidden.

Once they find one, reward them with affection before hiding another treat elsewhere in the room. This game helps to keep your pup engaged while also teaching them that returning when called is linked to rewards—a great way to build positive reinforcement into their recall training routine.

If your furry friend has trouble finding their treats, try using a slightly stronger scent or placing them in easier-to-find locations. This will help to keep your pup engaged and make the game more enjoyable.

Contact a local dog training service for more ideas.