Top 10 'Come-When-Called' Training Games to buy for Your First Month with a New Dog
Welcome to your new life! Bringing a dog home is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. The first month is a whirlwind of floppy ears, puppy breath, and discovering which corner of the sofa is their new favorite. It's a magical, and let's be honest, slightly overwhelming time. Amidst the house-training and chew-toy chaos, there’s one command that stands above all others in importance: the recall, or "come-when-called."
Think of "come" as your dog's ultimate safety net. It can pull them away from a busy street, prevent them from greeting an unfriendly dog, and stop them from munching on that questionable thing they found in the park. But teaching a reliable recall isn't about stern commands and repetitive drills. Especially in this crucial first month, it's about building a powerful bond and convincing your new best friend that you are the most exciting, rewarding, and safest place to be. Forget boring repetition; we're going to turn this essential life skill into the best game ever.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that training should be a joyful conversation between you and your dog. That’s why we’ve compiled the top 10 training games to build a rock-solid recall. These games are designed to be fun, boost your dog’s confidence, and strengthen your relationship from day one. Ready to play?
1. The Name Game: The Foundation of Focus
Before your dog can learn to "come," they first need to learn that their name is the single best word in the English language. The Name Game isn't about recall itself, but about teaching your dog that hearing their name means, "Stop what you're doing and look at your amazing human, because something wonderful is about to happen!" This is the absolute first step and the foundation for everything that follows.
To play, start in a quiet room with no distractions. With your dog just a few feet away, say their name in a happy, upbeat tone. The very second they turn their head or make eye contact, say "Yes!" and give them a tasty, high-value treat. That's it! Repeat this 5-10 times in a short session. The goal is to build an immediate, positive reflex: Name -> Look at you -> Reward.
Pro-Tip: Never, ever use your dog's name to scold them or call them for something they don't like, such as a bath or nail trim. You want to keep their name sacred—a signal for pure joy and reward. If you need to stop a bad behavior, use a different sound like "Ah-ah!" or "Leave it."
2. Puppy Ping-Pong: The Family Fun Recall
This game is perfect if you have a partner, roommate, or kids who want to get in on the training fun. Puppy Ping-Pong turns recall into an exciting back-and-forth dash, building enthusiasm and speed. It teaches your dog that running between their favorite people is the best game on the planet.
Start with two people sitting on the floor about 10-15 feet apart. Person A calls the dog's name followed by a cheerful "Come!" while patting the floor or their legs to be inviting. When the dog runs over, Person A should shower them with praise and a delicious treat. As soon as the dog finishes their treat, Person B does the exact same thing, calling the dog back to them.
Pro-Tip: Keep the energy high! Use excited voices and celebrate like your dog just won the lottery every single time they come to you. As your dog gets the hang of it, you can gradually increase the distance between the players or even move into different rooms to make it more of a challenge.
3. Hide-and-Seek: Engaging Their Inner Detective
Dogs love to use their noses and their brains. Hide-and-Seek transforms a simple recall command into an enriching puzzle that taps into their natural instincts to search and find. In this game, you are the amazing prize at the end of the hunt, which dramatically increases your value in your dog’s eyes.
Start easy. While a family member distracts your dog with a toy, go "hide" in another room behind a door or a piece of furniture—somewhere you’re easy to find at first. Once you're hidden, call out in a happy voice, "[Dog's Name], Come!" and wait. The moment they find you, throw a party! Give them tons of praise, pets, and a jackpot of treats.
Pro-Tip: This is a fantastic rainy-day game to burn off mental and physical energy. As your dog becomes a master seeker, you can choose more difficult hiding spots. This game teaches your dog to actively listen for your call and to keep searching for you, a skill that is invaluable in the real world.
4. The "Gotcha" Game: Building Trust in the Touch
Have you ever seen a dog come when called, only to dance just out of their owner's reach? The "Gotcha" Game prevents this frustrating scenario. Many dogs learn that being caught by the collar means the fun ends (e.g., getting leashed up to go home). This game rewires their brain to associate a collar grab with a wonderful reward, not a punishment.
Call your dog to you. As they arrive, praise them, and then gently reach for their collar or harness. The moment your fingers touch it, say "Gotcha!" in a playful tone and immediately deliver a super high-value treat right to their mouth. Hold for just a second while they eat, then release the collar and let them go free. The key is that the fun doesn't stop.
Pro-Tip: Practice this randomly throughout the day, not just when you actually need to leash them. The goal is to perform hundreds of positive "Gotchas" for every one time it means leaving the park. This builds a huge bank of trust, ensuring your dog will gladly come right to your hand every time.
5. Treat Toss & Recall: The Art of Disengagement
The real world is full of distractions: squirrels, other dogs, interesting smells, a dropped French fry. A reliable recall means your dog will choose to leave that distraction and come back to you. The Treat Toss game is a simple, controlled way to start teaching this critical skill of disengagement.
In a low-distraction area, toss a single, low-value treat (like a piece of their kibble) a few feet away from you. Let your dog go get it. The moment they finish eating it and turn back towards you, say their name and "Come!" in an excited voice. When they run back, reward them with something much, much better—like a piece of chicken or cheese. You're teaching them that leaving a good thing leads to an even better thing with you.
Pro-Tip: Start with a very low-value tossed treat and a very high-value recall reward to set them up for success. As they get better, you can gradually increase the value of the tossed item to practice their impulse control.
6. The Restraint Recall: Building Eager Anticipation
This is another game that's best played with a helper, and it's designed to build intense, joyful drive for coming to you. By creating a little bit of playful opposition, you tap into your dog's natural desire to move forward, making the act of running to you an explosive and self-rewarding release.
Have your helper gently hold your dog by the chest or harness (never the collar, to avoid pressure on their neck). Get your dog's attention and show them you have a favorite toy or a fantastic treat. Then, build excitement by saying "Ready... set..." as you jog a short distance away. Once you're ready, turn, open your arms wide, and call "[Dog's Name], Come!" Your helper releases the dog, who will likely rocket towards you. Celebrate their arrival with a huge party!
Pro-Tip: This game is pure fun and drive-building. It should never be forced. If your dog seems stressed by the restraint, skip this game and focus on others. The goal is happy, wiggly anticipation, not anxiety.
7. Follow the Leader: Making You the Center of Their World
A great recall isn't just about the "come" command; it's about your dog's general awareness of where you are. Follow the Leader is a game played on a long line (a 15-30 foot leash) in a safe, open area like a backyard or a quiet park. It teaches your dog that paying attention to your location and movements is always a good idea.
Simply clip on the long line and start walking. Let your dog have some freedom to sniff and explore. Then, without saying a word, suddenly change direction. The moment your dog notices and starts moving towards you to "catch up," praise them enthusiastically and give them a treat when they reach you. Repeat this by randomly changing speed and direction. You’ll be amazed how quickly they start keeping one eye on you at all times.
Pro-Tip: The key here is to let the dog make the choice. Don't use the line to reel them in. You are simply a fun, unpredictable leader worth following. This habit of "checking in" makes off-leash reliability much easier to achieve later on.
8. Catch Me If You Can: Tapping into the Chase
This is one of the most instinctually powerful games you can play. Dogs have a natural prey drive, which means they love to chase things that move. When you run away from your dog, you become the most exciting "prey" in the environment. This is a far more effective strategy than running at your dog, which can feel intimidating or turn into a game of keep-away.
In a safe, fenced-in area, get your dog's attention, and then with a playful "You can't get me!", turn and run a few steps away from them. Use a high, happy voice to call them. Most dogs will immediately give chase. Let them "catch" you, then reward them with treats or a fun game of tug. This teaches them that moving towards you is always a fun and rewarding chase.
Pro-Tip: This is a fantastic emergency recall tool. If your dog ever gets loose and you panic, your instinct might be to run after them. Instead, try running in the opposite direction while calling them playfully. It might just be the thing that brings them bounding back to you.
9. The Surprise Recall: The Jackpot Lottery
Consistency is important, but so is unpredictability. If your dog only ever gets called to have their leash put on or to come inside, the "come" command loses its power. The Surprise Recall, or "Jackpot Lottery," is about keeping them on their toes and reinforcing that your recall cue could lead to an amazing surprise at any moment.
Once or twice a day, at a completely random time when your dog is relaxed and not expecting it, call them to you with your cue. Maybe they're napping in their bed or chewing a toy across the room. When they get to you, instead of one small treat, give them a "jackpot"—a small handful of their absolute favorite, highest-value treats. Make a huge fuss, and then let them go right back to what they were doing.
Pro-Tip: The element of surprise is key. This isn't a training session; it's a lottery win. It teaches your dog that no matter what they are doing, it is always worth it to drop everything and come see what amazing thing you have in store for them.
10. Environmental Recall Adventure: Taking the Show on the Road
Dogs are not great at generalizing. "Come" in the living room feels like a completely different skill to them than "Come" in the backyard or at the park. The final game is about proofing their skills by taking the show on the road. You'll play all the games above in new and slightly more distracting environments.
Start small. Practice Puppy Ping-Pong in the backyard instead of the hallway. Play Hide-and-Seek around the house instead of in one room. Then, take your games to a quiet, empty park on a long line. With every new environment, you need to go back a few steps. Decrease the distance, increase the value of your rewards, and celebrate every success as if it's the first time. As a dog trainer, I, Goh Ling Yong, always stress that safety comes first—a long line is your best friend when practicing in new spaces.
Pro-Tip: Don't get discouraged if your dog struggles in a new place! That's normal. The new sights, sounds, and smells are a lot to process. Your job is to make coming back to you the easiest and most rewarding choice they can make, no matter where you are.
Your Adventure Begins Now
That's it! Ten fun, effective, and bond-building games to create a recall you can rely on. Remember, the goal for this first month isn't perfection; it's progress and connection. Keep your training sessions short (just 3-5 minutes at a time), always end on a positive note, and celebrate the small wins. You are building a language of trust and joy with your new companion, one game at a time.
This journey is one of the most fulfilling you'll ever take. Be patient with your new dog, and be patient with yourself. You're both learning together.
So, which game are you most excited to try first? We'd love to hear about your progress! Share a comment below or tag us in your training videos on social media. Happy training
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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