How to Play Hide-and-Seek With Your Dog

Hide-and-seek asks your dog to find you. Begin indoors, with an easy hiding place and a willing participant.

Choose the invitation

Blue Cross's training advice recommends keeping initial distractions low. Start with a simple setup rather than an elaborate search.

Hide, call and reward

The Blue Cross play guide describes hiding behind a door or sofa while the dog is in another room, then calling them. At first, another call may help. Praise and give a food reward when your dog finds you.

This round ends with finding the person. It is different from the hidden-food game, and it does not establish reliable recall elsewhere.

Reward the arrival promptly

Battersea emphasises rewarding when the intended action happens. Be ready to acknowledge the find rather than waiting until your dog has wandered away again.

Pause or repeat

If the task is too difficult, pause and consider how to make a later attempt easier.

Blue Cross advises never forcing play and ending while the dog is still interested. Another game remains an option.

For a separate outdoor skill, use our recall guide.