Right, let’s have a chat about that soul-destroying moment when your spaniel pretends they’ve suddenly gone deaf. You know the one – they’re twenty metres ahead, nose down in something fascinating, and your increasingly desperate shouts of “COME!” might as well be background music for all the attention they’re paying you.
I see it every week at the local park. Owners standing there like broken records, repeating the same command with growing frustration while their spaniels get progressively better at selective hearing. Meanwhile, other owners seem to have dogs who actually choose to stay connected, checking back regularly, coming when called with genuine enthusiasm rather than reluctant compliance.
Here’s what those successful owners know that the frustrated ones don’t: recall isn’t a single command you bark at your dog when they’ve already made the wrong choice. It’s a constant game of attention, connection, and making yourself more interesting than whatever else is competing for their brilliant brain.
These 5 recall games for dogs will transform your daily walk from a source of stress into the most powerful training session you’ll ever have – and the best part? Your spaniel will think it’s all just brilliant fun.
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Why Traditional Recall Training Falls Apart on Walks
Before we dive into the games, let’s talk about why shouting “Come!” usually fails so spectacularly. Most owners only use their recall cue when they want their dog to stop doing something enjoyable – investigating that fascinating smell, greeting another dog, or exploring somewhere exciting.
From your spaniel’s perspective, “Come!” becomes code for “Fun’s over, boring human stuff is about to happen.” No wonder they start ignoring it.
The recall games for dogs I’m about to share work because they flip this dynamic completely. Instead of recall meaning the end of good things, it starts meaning the beginning of them. In fact, scientific studies show that incorporating play into training improves a dog’s focus and welfare.. Your spaniel learns that responding to you is more rewarding than whatever distraction caught their attention.
Game 1: The “Ping-Pong” Recall (Perfect for Walking Partners)
What You Need: Two people and a pocketful of jackpot treats
How It Works: One person walks about 10-15 metres ahead while the other stays back. Call your spaniel back and forth between you, making each arrival the most exciting thing that’s happened all week. When they reach you, massive celebration, jackpot treat, then immediately send them to your walking partner for the same treatment.
Why It’s Brilliant: Professional trainers recognize ping pong recall as one of the most effective games because it helps dogs learn to respond to recall cues from multiple people. Your spaniel gets to feel like they’re being actively included in the walk rather than just dragged along, and every recall ends with something amazing happening.
Expert Tip: Start this game when your spaniel is already relatively calm. Don’t try it when they’re in full hunting mode – you want to set them up for success, not frustration.
The transformation is usually immediate. Instead of trailing behind or disappearing ahead, your spaniel starts positioning themselves between both of you, waiting for the next exciting recall game to begin.
Game 2: The “Hide and Seek” Recall (The Attention Grabber)
What You Need: Just you, your dog, and a few decent hiding spots
How It Works: Wait for a moment when your spaniel is distracted but not completely absorbed – maybe sniffing around a tree or investigating a interesting patch of grass. Quietly step behind a tree, large bush, or even just around a corner. Count to five, then use your recall cue in your most excited voice.
The Safety Check: Professional trainers emphasize that hide and seek should be fun and upbeat, not used to frighten your dog into thinking you’ve abandoned them. This isn’t about creating anxiety – it’s about making them realise that keeping track of you is their job, not yours.
Why It Works: This game teaches your spaniel that they need to be aware of where you are, not the other way around. Most owners spend walks constantly monitoring their dog’s location. This flips the script – suddenly your spaniel realises they need to keep tabs on you.
Advanced Version: Once they’ve mastered basic hide and seek, try hiding while they’re distracted, then stay hidden until they actively start looking for you. The moment they show signs of concern, pop out with massive excitement and jackpot rewards.
Game 3: The “Catch Me If You Can” (Turning Prey Drive Into Partnership)
What You Need: Energy, enthusiasm, and good timing
How It Works: Get your spaniel’s attention, then suddenly turn and run away from them – not towards them. Make yourself the most exciting thing on the entire walk by becoming something they want to chase. When they catch up (and they will), huge celebration and rewards.
The Psychology Behind It: Professional advice confirms that running away from your dog inspires them to chase after you, rather than continuing to move away from you. Instead of you always chasing them, they get to chase you – which taps into their natural prey drive in a positive way.
Safety First: Only try this in safe, enclosed areas or when your spaniel is on a long line. You want them to succeed at catching you, not learn that chasing leads to more distance between you.
Why Spaniels Love This: Working breeds are hardwired to chase moving things. Usually, that’s squirrels or other dogs. This game makes you the most interesting moving thing around, which fundamentally changes their focus during walks.
Game 4: The “Surprise” Jackpot (The Random Reward System)
What You Need: Patience and really high-value treats
How It Works: Once during every walk, at a completely random moment when your spaniel is just being… well, a spaniel, use your recall cue. When they respond, give them an absolutely enormous “jackpot” reward – think multiple treats, massive fuss, the full celebration treatment. Then immediately tell them they’re free to go back to whatever they were doing.
The Timing Secret: Choose moments when they’re mildly interested in something but not completely obsessed. You want them to succeed, but you also want them to learn that responding to you can interrupt good things and lead to even better things.
Why This Changes Everything: Most recalls signal the end of freedom. This one proves that responding to you can actually increase their freedom and rewards. Your spaniel starts viewing recall as a lottery ticket – they never know when it might pay out big.
Expert Warning: Don’t overuse this. Once per walk, genuinely random timing. If they can predict it, it stops being magical.
Game 5: The “Auto Check-In” Game (Building Natural Connection)
What You Need: Perfect timing and high-value rewards
How It Works: This one requires no cues from you at all. Simply watch for moments when your spaniel naturally looks back at you or chooses to move closer to you without being called. The instant they make eye contact or take a step towards you, mark it with excitement and reward them.
Why This Is Different: Instead of teaching them to respond to your commands, this teaches them that choosing to connect with you is always rewarding. You’re building a dog who wants to stay in touch because good things happen when they do.
The Reward Reality: Training experts recommend practicing natural check-in rewards multiple times per walk, with each person carrying high-value treats specifically for these moments. This isn’t about formal training sessions – it’s about rewarding the behaviour you want to see more of.
Building the Habit: Start by rewarding every single voluntary check-in, even tiny glances in your direction. Over time, you can become more selective, but in the beginning, catch them being good as often as possible.
The magic happens when your spaniel starts checking in naturally, just in case something wonderful might happen. They learn that you’re worth paying attention to, not because they have to, but because you’re consistently the source of good things.
Putting It All Together: Your New Walking Routine
Don’t try to cram all five games into every walk – that’s a recipe for exhausting both of you. Pick one or two games that suit your walk and your spaniel’s mood. Some days might be perfect for energetic “Catch Me If You Can” sessions, while others call for gentle “Auto Check-In” rewards.
The key is consistency, not perfection. Even using just one of these recall games for dogs consistently will start shifting your spaniel’s attention back to you. They’ll begin viewing you as an active, interesting part of their walk rather than just the person holding the other end of the lead.
Week 1: Master the “Auto Check-In” game – it requires no setup and builds the foundation for everything else.
Week 2: Add the “Surprise Jackpot” once per walk.
Week 3: Try “Hide and Seek” when you’ve got good hiding spots available.
Week 4: Introduce “Ping-Pong” if you’ve got a walking partner, or “Catch Me If You Can” for solo walks.
The Real Win: From Stress to Partnership
By making recall a fun, unpredictable series of games rather than a desperate command you shout when everything’s already gone wrong, you build a dog that chooses to stay connected. This is the foundation of a truly rock-solid recall that works even when there are distractions.
Most owners spend their walks feeling like they’re managing their dog’s behaviour. These games flip that relationship – suddenly your spaniel is actively engaging with you, choosing to be part of the adventure rather than just dragged along for it.
The best part? Once your spaniel starts expecting walks to be interactive and rewarding, they stop looking for entertainment elsewhere. No more disappearing into bushes or ignoring you when something interesting appears – they’ve learned that the most interesting thing on any walk is usually you.
Your next walk starts the transformation. Pick one game, keep some brilliant treats in your pocket, and watch your spaniel’s attitude shift from “I have to walk with this human” to “I get to walk with my favourite person who might do something amazing at any moment.”
That’s not just better recall – that’s better partnership. And that partnership is what turns every walk from a potential stress-fest into the highlight of both your days.
Ready to build on these walking games? Discover our complete spaniel recall training system or explore the best long lines for safe training that give your spaniel freedom while you build reliability.
Remember: These recall games for dogs work best when your spaniel is set up for success. If you’re working on serious recall challenges, combine these walking games with our structured training approaches for the fastest, most reliable results.
