Dog Training Games: How to Play Hide & Seek to Improve Your Dog’s Recall
Hide & Seek: The Recall Game Your Dog Will Love
Hide & Seek isn’t just for kids—it’s one of the easiest and most effective games to teach your dog to come when called. By turning recall into an exciting hunt for you, this game builds enthusiasm, strengthens your dog’s response, and makes training feel like playtime.
How to Play Hide & Seek With Your Dog at Home (and Beyond)
Hide & Seek is one of the easiest dog training games to play—indoors, in your yard, or even during off-leash adventures.
Not only does it make coming when called fun, it teaches your dog to look for you when they hear their recall cue.
You can play in two ways:
Planned: Your dog knows a game is coming.
Surprise: Your dog has no idea until you call—perfect for real-life recall practice.
The Basic Game
Have your dog wait in one room (or have someone gently hold or distract them).
Hide in another room, behind furniture, or—if you’re outside—behind a tree or around a corner.
Call your dog using your recall cue: “COME find me!”
When they find you, celebrate big—play a quick game, give happy praise, or reward with a special treat.
Repeat a few times and stop while they’re still excited to play.
On-the-Go Hide & Seek
Once your dog gets the hang of it, surprise them during your day:
At home or in the yard: Hide and then break out a game of tug when they arrive.
At the beach: While they’re sniffing, hide behind a rock and call. Celebrate with a game of fetch or a splash in the water.
On a hike: Duck behind a tree and reward with high-value treats when they find you.
Training Tip: Keep hiding spots easy in new or distracting environments. The goal is fun, not frustration. And never use this game to scare your dog—Hide & Seek should always end with a joyful reunion.
Los Angeles dog trainer Alexandra Bassett is the owner and lead trainer at Dog Savvy Los Angeles, a dog training company that specializes in positive dog training and solving problem dog behavior like dog separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and aggression. She is certified as Knowledge Assessed by the Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA) and is available for online dog training sessions via Skype.
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