The Two-Toy Method: Game-Changing Recall Training
Feb 07, 2025While tasty treats can work as the biggest motivation for many dogs when it comes to teaching them to come back to you on a walk - play can also be an effective reward for recall training. Our in-house trainer, Susi, is here to introduce the two-toy method to get a better recall - sharing their passion for using play-based methods to enhance your dog's training experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Play Can Enhance Recall Training – Incorporating play into recall training makes it more engaging for dogs, encouraging them to stay focused and return quickly when called.
- The Swap Game Builds Engagement – Teaching a dog to swap between two toys helps prevent issues like running off with a toy, making the guardian more exciting and rewarding.
- Gradual Progression is Key – Introducing a verbal cue, practicing in various environments, and increasing distractions gradually ensures your dog can learn to swap reliably in different situations.
Using play in recall training provides a multitude of benefits. It encourages your dog to pay attention to you, brings them closer to you, and even makes them more enthusiastic to run towards you.
However, sometimes the toy is just too good to give back - leaving you with the issue of a dog who decides to run off with the toy or not give it up. By practising swapping toys, you can keep them interested and make yourself a little bit more unpredictable. Here’s our quick guide to getting started with teaching a swap.
Use Two Toys of Equal Value
To start with, you will need two of the same or similar tug toys that your dog enjoys playing with. (check out our fave tug toys at Tug-E-Nuff) Using two toys of a similar value keeps the game evenly-matched between both toys - so they aren’t favouring one over the other. If you are able, have one toy in each hand and offer the first to your dog, keeping the other behind your back. Encourage them to play - give some great game-play energy and have fun.
If you are unable to hold a tug toy in each hand and play with equal enthusiasm, you can place it somewhere you can easily access (perhaps tucked into a back pocket) but where the dog can’t steal it.
Training the Swap
While your dog is playing and mid-tug, present them with the other toy from behind your back. Some dogs will let go of the first toy straight away, while others may need a little encouragement by moving the second toy around or dragging it along the floor away from the dog. Once they have let go of toy no.1, mark that moment with a 'yes' or clicker and let them play with toy no.2 - moving toy no.1 behind your back. Repeat this game 4 or 5 times, making sure your dog is still having a good time and is engaged with you.
Introducing the Cue
When your dog is starting to let go of the toy they are playing with when presented with the other toy, you can introduce a cue. Mine is ‘swap’ because it was the easiest thing for me to remember!
Say your cue just before presenting your dog with the toy from behind your back and give them the marker word when they release the first toy. This way, they hear the cue and start to associate that word with letting go of toy no.1 so they can play with toy no.2. Pretty soon, they’ll let go of toy no.1 when you say the magic word. That means it’s time to step up your training!
Clarify Understanding of the Cue
The next stage is to slowly bring toy no.2 out from behind your back before giving the cue to swap. It’s important not to rush this step, as we want our dogs to succeed in this game. If they release toy no.1 before you give the cue, move toy no.2 back out of sight and encourage them to continue playing with toy no.1. If you can show them toy no.2 without them grabbing it before the cue is given, you can then say the word and encourage them to play with toy no.2. From here, it’s a matter of practising in different environments and with more distractions, so be prepared to take a few steps back when introducing these changes.
Chase Over Tug
For the fetch fanatic rather than tugging terror, you can play a similar game with two throwing toys. The main difference is you wouldn’t throw toy no.2 until you had control of toy no.1. This is still a fun game to play, but if you are including it as part of your recall training specifically, you want to encourage the dog in close before making the swap. You can use the direction of your toy throw to move your dog away from distractions - a bonus win!
Just remember not to do too much repetitive throwing, especially when it comes to ball chase. Rolling the ball along the ground or hiding it in long grass for your dog to search for puts less pressure on their body.
Use Movement
When you are confident that your dog will 'swap' on cue in the environment you're training in, you can add in movement by running away from your dog. In this case, play with toy no.1 then give the 'swap' cue and start to move away from your dog while holding out toy no.2. Just remember where toy no.1 was dropped!
Moving away or backwards encourages your dog to come towards you - perfect for recall training as you can get hold of them quickly if needed.
Mixing it Up
You can also start to use a variety of different toys when your dog understands the game well. For example, my girl would rather hold a ball but if I give her the cue to swap, she will drop it and come to me for a game of tug. Her reward for letting the ball go is to play tug, then I can send her back to fetch the ball if it’s ours or - if it's found treasure, such as a scrap of ball she’s found on the beach - I can move her away.
Happy training!
Want to See it in Action?
More of a visual learner? Here’s a quick video taking you through the first stages of teaching a swap...
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