The Counting Game
Disengagement • Recall • Engagement • Optimism • Regulation
Description
A simple but incredibly powerful game to build engagement, support disengagement, and develop recall through choice rather than pressure.
Instead of calling your dog away from the environment, this game allows you to gently check:
“Are you ready to come back to me?”
It’s particularly helpful for dogs who get absorbed in sniffing, struggle to respond to their name, or find the environment more rewarding than their guardian.
How to Play
1 - Let your dog be a dog
Allow your dog to move away and engage with the environment naturally - sniffing, exploring, taking things in.
You’re not calling them - you’re observing.
2 - Make your first offer
Say “One” in a calm, clear voice.
At the same time, use a smooth, slightly exaggerated arm movement and place one piece of food on the ground.
Then pause for 10-15 seconds.
This is your first check-in:
“Are you available?”
3 - Wait, don’t chase
If your dog comes over - lovely. Let them eat the food calmly.
If they don’t respond, that’s information.
You can then say “Two”, place another piece of food, and wait again.
If needed, repeat with “Three”.
Your dog has full choice in whether they engage.
4 - Reset, don’t repeat endlessly
If your dog still doesn’t engage:
Pick the food up
Pause and observe what has their attention
Adjust your position (closer, clearer, less competition)
Then begin again from “One”.
5 - Build fluency and progress
As your dog starts to understand the game:
They’ll begin responding at “One”
You’ll need fewer repetitions
Their engagement becomes quicker and more confident
From here you can:
Move from home → garden → quiet walks → busier environments
Use a long line for safety outdoors
Use it on walks instead of calling or pulling
Flow back into movement together once they re-engage
Over time, this becomes a natural check-in and can evolve into a reliable recall.
Why it Matters
This game shifts the dynamic from command → compliance to offer → choice → connection.
It allows you to:
Assess whether your dog is able to engage
Reduce pressure and conflict
Avoid overusing cues (especially their name)
Build a strong reinforcement history for returning
Because the pattern is predictable, dogs begin to anticipate it and choose to engage more quickly over time.
What You’re Looking For
Your dog noticing you earlier (often at “One”)
Faster decisions to come over
Willing disengagement from the environment
A relaxed, confident approach
Fewer repetitions needed over time
Tips for Success
Think offer, not ask
Keep your tone calm, rhythmic, and consistent
Give your dog time to process - don’t rush the pause
Use high-value, easy-to-eat food
Start where your dog can succeed
Stay neutral - no disappointment if they don’t respond
Avoid using your dog’s name alongside the count
Don’t repeat “one” over and over
Don’t stop the count too early
Avoid progressing too quickly into busy environments
Don’t turn it into a test (“will they come?”)
Use it instead of calling or lead pressure where possible
Remember: this is information gathering, not obedience
It’s not suitable for over-threshold situations or emergencies
The goal isn’t control - it’s building a habit of choosing you
This isn’t a recall cue - it’s a conversation starter.
“Are you ready?”
If yes → we reconnect
If no → we learn something
That information is just as valuable as the behaviour.