Toss → Back to You (Clockwork)
Toss → Back to You (Clockwork) takes a familiar engagement game and adds structure. Instead of tossing treats randomly, you stay in one spot while your dog learns to move ou, and reliably re-orient back to you — no matter which direction they went.
This game builds strong check-ins, clean re-engagement, and thoughtful movement without chaos.
What You’ll Need
An open, quiet space
Small, tasty treats
4 small bowls or plate to put food on
How to Play It
For this game you’ll be standing at the centre of a clock.
With your dog nearby, toss a treat a short distance away toward 12 o’clock.
Let your dog eat the treat.
When their head comes up, mark and toss a treat in the direction of 1 o’clock — 🚫 no treat to mouth.
Repeat and continue working around the clock.
3 in 3 Breakdown
Skills
Re-engagement after reinforcement
Your dog practises finishing the food and immediately turning back to you, building the habit of reconnecting with you after exciting things happen.
Recall foundations
The foundation of recall is orienting and moving toward you. Without calling or prompting, your dog learns that coming back to you is the next step in the pattern.
Clean transitions
The game teaches smooth movement between “go away” and “come back,” helping your dog switch gears without hesitation.
Enrichment
Problem solving (mental stimulation)
Your dog tracks the pattern, remembers what comes next, and stays engaged in the loop. It’s simple, but it still requires focus and thinking.
Social enrichment
You’re actively doing this together. It’s real one-on-one time that feels more like fun than work, building communication, cooperation, and connection.
Confidence building
The predictability of the game creates fast, easy wins. Your dog knows what’s coming and how to succeed.
Movement
Functional movement
Repeated trips away from you and back again add purposeful movement without requiring space, equipment, or a long session.
Controlled starts and stops
Each rep includes acceleration, deceleration, and turning — useful for building coordination in a low-impact way.
Body awareness
Each repetition asks your dog to shift weight, turn their body, and change direction smoothly, helping them practise coordinated movement through space.
