A Game from Today’s Walk: Chase and Check in
This morning’s walk with Izzy and Freddie was just gorgeous — early sun, quiet paths, and the perfect moment to play a game I often play with them.
It taps into something they’re born to do… chase — but it does it in a way that builds your connection and makes you part of the fun.
One of the most common things I hear is:
“They’re so good at home, but outside it’s like I don’t exist.”
And honestly? That’s not unusual for sighthounds.
The outdoors is bursting with sights, scents and movement. Their natural instincts are switched on. It’s not that they’re ignoring you — it’s that the environment is incredibly stimulating.
Then add to that that sometimes, without realising, we accidentally become a bit of a nag...
“Don’t eat that.”
“We are not chasing the squirrel.”
“Wait at the side of the road.”
Obviously, it's vital to keep our dogs safe, but in doing so, it can be easy to forget to create moments that feel shared, engaging, and fun.
This little game helps bring that connection back — through movement, play, and a reason to tune back in to you.
Here's how it works:
Start with a gentle warm-up walk — just like you would before exercising yourself.
Toss a low to medium-value treat a very short distance, say “Get it!”, and let your dog chase it on a slack lead.
Make sure there’s no tension on the lead, we don't want them pulling to get the treat.
As soon as they’ve got the treat and eaten it, call them back with “Here!” and reward them with something really high value when they get back to you.
Keep it short, light, and fun — a few repetitions is plenty.
Then enjoy a cool-down stroll home to help their energy settle again.
Why it works so well for sighthounds:
It channels their natural chase drive in a safe, structured way
It helps them learn that coming back is part of the fun, not the end of it
It strengthens recall cues
It breaks that "naggy walk" cycle and brings play into the picture
It creates those moments of connection — that feels shared and fun for both of you
💡 I did this with both Izzy and Freddie today, but only because I knew it was safe — they had separate cues, went in different directions, and have no resourcing concerns. .
If you’re giving it a go for the first time, start with one dog at a time and take it slowly.
Let me know if you try it — I’d love to hear how your dog gets on.