Recall training in Yeovil: five games for a secure dog field

A secure dog field can be a useful place to practise returning when called and enjoy a few simple games together. At Paws n Klaws near Yeovil, you can book exclusive use of an allocated paddock for owner-supervised time. Keep practice short, reward success and leave plenty of room for exploration and breaks.

The five ideas below are activities for you and your dog during field hire. They are not a supervised training class. Choose familiar, achievable tasks, and use suitable management if your dog is not ready for off-lead exercise.

Before you start

Follow the site’s gate instructions and check the paddock before unclipping a lead. Bring rewards your dog enjoys, a familiar toy if appropriate, water, a bowl and waste bags. Check the ground and keep equipment away from gates and obstacles.

Dogs Trust’s recall training guide starts with easy returns and builds distance and distractions gradually. A field gives you a place to practise, but successful recall there does not establish that your dog will return around traffic, livestock or other distractions elsewhere.

1. Practise an easy return

Start while your dog is close and able to pay attention. Use the recall cue they know, welcome them back and reward the return. Then let them explore again so coming to you does not always end the fun.

Try only a few repetitions before taking a break. If the task is too difficult, reduce the distance or return to something easier. Avoid repeatedly calling while your dog is absorbed in something else; make the next attempt easier to get right.

2. Reward a voluntary check-in

As you walk calmly through the paddock, notice when your dog chooses to look at you or comes back alongside you. Reward that choice, then continue together. This gives you something useful to practise between planned recalls.

Choose a reward your dog actually values. Dogs Trust explains how reward-based training can use food, toys or attention, and why timing matters. Keep your rewards ready so you can respond when the behaviour happens.

3. Play a short recall game between two people

If two adults are attending the booking, stand a short distance apart. Take turns welcoming the dog back and rewarding the arrival. The person who is waiting should stay quiet so the dog has one clear invitation at a time.

Keep the distance modest and the pace unhurried. This is practice in returning to a person, not a race across the field. Stop after a few comfortable turns, before the dog loses interest. Confirm who may attend when arranging your field booking.

4. Let your dog search for a familiar toy

Begin with a toy your dog enjoys and an easy search: place it nearby where it can be found without frustration. Invite your dog to look for it and celebrate the discovery. If your dog is enjoying the activity, you can make the next search slightly different.

Dogs Trust’s enrichment ideas include scent activities and searching for toys. Allow your dog time to sniff and investigate. Stay with them, use suitable toys and collect everything you brought before leaving.

5. Alternate a familiar game with a quiet pause

If your dog enjoys toy play, try a brief, familiar game, then take a pause for water or a gentle wander. Use a game your dog already understands, including how to release the toy. A session can include several small enjoyable moments rather than continuous high-speed play.

Watch whether your dog wants to continue. Put the toy away when they have had enough, and finish with something easy. If you bring more than one dog, avoid activities that cause competition over food or equipment.

An example plan for a 30-minute field booking

• First five minutes: follow entry instructions, check the space and settle into the visit.

• Next ten minutes: explore together and reward a few voluntary check-ins.

• Next five minutes: try one easy recall or toy-search game, with pauses.

• Final ten minutes: slow the pace, offer water, collect your belongings, clean up and leave on time.

This is a flexible way to organise the booking. It is not a required exercise schedule. Use less activity, longer pauses or an earlier finish if that suits your dog. In unsuitable weather or ground conditions, change your plans.

With a 50-minute session, the extra time can be used for a slower visit and longer pauses. See our guide to choosing a 30- or 50-minute field session if you are deciding what to book.

Questions about recall practice in a dog field

Can a dog with unreliable recall use a private paddock?

A booked enclosed area may be useful, but first check whether the boundaries and surroundings suit your dog. Keep appropriate control and ask a qualified trainer for help if you are unsure how to practise safely.

How many recalls should I do?

There is no fixed number for every dog. A handful of easy successes with pauses can be enough. Finish while your dog is still engaged rather than filling the whole booking with repeated instructions.

Does every field visit need training?

No. Quiet exploration and time together are valid ways to use the booking. You can choose one small activity or enjoy the paddock without a training agenda.

What if my dog is worried by other dogs?

Discuss nearby activity and changeovers before booking. Our field-hire guide for nervous and reactive dogs lists practical questions to ask about the current site setup.

Book space to explore and practise near Yeovil

You pay for your chosen individual secure field session, with no extra charge for dogs included in the booking. Our field-hire value guide explains the £5 half-hour and £8 fifty-minute prices.

Paws n Klaws is on Limington Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8LX. Visit our secure dog field-hire page to view facilities and choose an available individual session on our website. Keep your payment confirmation before travelling.

Site opening hours are Monday–Sunday, 07:00–18:00. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00. Call 01935 348843 or email info@pawsnklaws-petservices.co.uk. Field information checked 11 October 2026.