3 High-Value Rewards That Supercharge Recall
Updated: 2 days ago
When you call your dog in the park, you're asking them to leave something brilliant, like a smell, a game or another dog, and come back to you. Whether they do depends hugely on what they get when they arrive. If coming back means a dry biscuit and the lead going on, the smell wins nine times out of ten. Recall is triple pay territory, so here are the three types of high-value rewards that make it worth it, how to use them and how to keep them special.
THE SHORT ANSWER
High-value rewards are things your dog wants more than whatever else is going on around them. For recall, the best ones fall into three groups: special food, like cooked chicken, cheese, sausage or liver cake, given in a little shower rather than one piece; play, like a tug toy, a ball or a chase game that only comes out on walks; and real-life rewards, like being sent straight back to sniff, play or swim. Rank your dog's rewards from "nice" to "can't resist", and save the best ones for recall only. Reward every recall while you're training, especially in busy places, and vary the rewards so your dog never knows what's coming. Don't only call your dog to end their fun. Call, reward and let them go again many times on every walk.
Why everyday treats aren't always enough
At home, your dog's normal kibble may be enough. Outside, it's competing with rabbits, other dogs and a hundred smells. A boring reward for a big ask often isn't worth it to your dog.
Think of recall as a trade. Your dog gives up something fun. What you offer needs to be at least as good, or better.
1. Food that stands out
Soft, smelly food works best, because it's quick to eat and hard to ignore. Crunchy biscuits take too long outside. Good options include:
small pieces of cooked chicken or turkey
cheese cubes
sausage or frankfurter pieces
a squeeze tube of meat paste or dog-safe pĆ¢tĆ©
Rotate them so your dog stays curious. A little "jackpot" of several pieces one after another makes a recall feel extra special.
2. Play rewards
Not every dog is mad about food, especially when they're excited. For many dogs, a game is worth more.
Try a tug toy that only comes out on walks, a ball thrown away from you as soon as they arrive, or a quick chase game where you run away and let them catch you. Keep the toy hidden until the moment you need it.
3. Real-life rewards
The things your dog wants on a walk can be rewards too. When your dog comes back, send them straight off again to sniff that patch of grass, greet their friend or run back into the water.
This is one of the most useful tricks of all. Your dog learns that coming back doesn't end the fun, it often leads to more of it. Read the Premack principle.
How to find your dog's best rewards
Every dog is different. Take a few minutes to rank what your dog loves. Try these questions:
which treat do they take fastest outside?
which toy do they carry around or bring back?
what do they pull towards on walks?
what do they get most excited about at home?
Put the top two or three in your recall-only list. Use the lower ones for easy jobs at home.
How to use high-value rewards for recall
Reward every recall while you're building it, especially in new or busy places. Make a fuss, give the reward close to you and hold their collar gently while they eat, so they get used to it.
Call your dog back many times on each walk, reward and let them go again. If you only call them to clip the lead on, they soon learn that coming back ends the walk. Read improving recall when your dog won't come.
Keeping rewards special
Save your best rewards for recall and don't hand them out for nothing. Change them often, and use a long line in places where your dog isn't reliable yet, so they can't practise ignoring you.
RENEE'S TIP
Pack a "recall bag" with your dog's top two rewards and keep it only for walks. Use it for nothing else. When your dog sees that bag come out, they'll be watching you before you even call.
QUICK CHECK
ā Recall is a trade, so make coming back worth it
ā Use soft, smelly food, play or real-life rewards
ā Rank your dog's rewards and save the best for recall
ā Reward every recall while you're training
ā Call, reward and let go many times on every walk
FROM RENEE'S BOOKSHELF
The Modern Guide to Puppy Games
100 one-minute games, including recall games and play your dog will want to come back for.
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with recall
If your dog won't come back when there's something more exciting around, I can help you build a recall plan in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
What are the best high-value treats for recall?
Soft, smelly food like cooked chicken, cheese, sausage or liver cake, given as a little shower of pieces.
What if my dog isn't food motivated on walks?
Try play rewards, like a special tug toy or chase game, or real-life rewards like being sent back to sniff.
Should I reward every recall?
Yes, while you're training, especially in busy places. Vary the rewards to keep it exciting.
Why does my dog ignore recall at the park?
Often the reward isn't worth more than what they're doing, or recall has come to mean the fun is over.
How do I stop recall meaning the end of the walk?
Call your dog back many times, reward and let them go again, so coming back rarely ends the fun.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
READ NEXT Improving recall
