Mastering Burrow Tube Recalls for a Confident Dog
This simple indoor game builds powerful recall reliability and confidence by tapping into your dog’s natural instinct to explore small spaces.
Article Contents
What Are Burrow Tube Recalls?
Burrow Tube Recalls are a fun game for terriers and other small dogs. It encourages them to confidently move through a soft tunnel or under a row of cushions to find you. The goal isn’t speed, but calm, thoughtful problem-solving. By creating a simple, enclosed path, you make the act of “coming when called” more engaging than a standard recall across an open room.
This exercise is especially beneficial for breeds with a history of “going to ground,” like terriers, as it provides a safe outlet for their innate desires. Remember to keep tunnels low and stable to ensure your dog always feels secure. The core of this activity is about building trust and making the recall cue the most exciting event in the room.
The training process focuses on three key elements:
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Easy Entries
We start with a very short, wide-open “tunnel” to make success effortless and build initial confidence.
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Joyful Cue
Your recall cue signals the start of a fun hunt for you, turning a command into an exciting game.
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Calm Rewards
We mark and reward the moment the dog successfully navigates the burrow and finds you, reinforcing their confidence and composure.
The graph below shows breeds predisposed to enjoy this type of work, rating them on key traits like Drive (enthusiasm for the task), Tight-space confidence, and Handler Focus. A high combined score suggests a natural fit for the Burrow Tube Recalls game.
Breeds that enjoy Burrow Tube Recalls
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How to Run Burrow Tube Recalls (5–10 Minutes)
This beginner indoor recall game requires minimal setup and can be done in any room with a bit of clear floor space. Always keep sessions short and positive, ending on a successful repetition.
Gear & Setup
Required Gear
- A soft fabric dog tunnel OR several sturdy couch cushions/pillows and a blanket.
- High-value, pea-sized treats or a favorite toy.
- (Optional) A lightweight 6–10 ft line if your dog is easily distracted.
Environment Setup
- Choose a room with non-slip flooring (a rug or mat is ideal).
- Clear a straight path, free of furniture or obstacles.
- Ensure your “tunnel” is low, stable, and won’t collapse.
- Minimize distractions: turn off the TV and put other pets away.
Pop-Up Fabric Tunnel
- Start with short crawl-throughs (⅓ tunnel).
- Handler calls from the exit, reward calm exits.
- Gradually extend distance; reset every 20–30 seconds.
Details, gear & safety
Setup: keep the tunnel low & well-anchored; widen entrance with a cushion if needed.
Cues: “Find me!” → calm exit → treat delivery outside the tunnel.
Safety: supervise; avoid zipper/snags; stop if dog hesitates or startles.
Sofa-Cushion “Runway”
- Make a low corridor with cushions/ottomans.
- Scatter a tiny treat trail; call once from the end.
- Fade the treats as confidence rises.
Details, gear & safety
Setup: height below shoulder; widen entry; no tips or wobbles.
Cues: neutral voice → mark calm approach → reward beside you.
Safety: supervise; avoid slick floors; stop if speed/frantic digging increases.
Chair-and-Blanket Arch
- Drape a blanket over two chairs to form a soft arch.
- Call the dog through; pay outside to prevent lingering.
- Lower the blanket a little each rep as comfort grows.
Details, gear & safety
Setup: ensure no sagging into the dog’s path; smooth edges.
Progression: shorten distance, add a gentle bend, then fade the “roof.”
Safety: supervise; avoid heavy objects; end on an easy win.
1. Introduce the Tunnel (1 min)
Place the collapsed or very short (1-2 ft) tunnel on the floor. Let your dog sniff it freely without any pressure. To build a positive association, drop a few high-value treats near the entrance, and then just inside the opening. Your goal is for your dog to think, “This new object predicts great things!”
2. Lure the First Pass-Through (1 min)
Kneel at one end of the very short tunnel. With an excited, happy tone, toss a treat just inside the opposite end so your dog can see it. When your dog moves through to get the treat, praise them enthusiastically the moment they exit. Repeat this 2-3 times to build momentum and confidence.
3. Add the Recall Cue (2 min)
Now, it’s time to connect the action to your recall word. Kneel at the exit and wait for your dog to be positioned at the entrance. The moment they look at you, say your recall cue (“Come!” or “Here!”) in an upbeat voice. As they start moving through, mark their effort with an enthusiastic “Yes!” and deliver the reward at the exit. The game of Burrow Tube Recalls is now officially underway!
4. Slightly Increase Length (2 min)
If your dog is confident and moving through eagerly, extend the tunnel slightly (to 3-4 feet) or add another cushion to your row. Repeat the recall cue from the exit. The goal is for them to momentarily lose sight of you, making the “find” on the other side even more exciting and rewarding.
5. Vary Your Position
Once your dog reliably pops out of the tunnel and looks for you, add a new challenge. Instead of rewarding right at the exit, take one or two steps back. Call them from this new position. This teaches them that the recall isn’t just about exiting the tunnel, but about orienting and moving to you to complete the behavior.
6. Practice Calm Exits
If your dog bursts out of the tunnel with manic “zoomie” energy, briefly withhold the reward and wait for them to offer a calmer behavior. You can ask for a simple “sit” and then reward. This teaches arousal control and self-regulation, a critical skill and a key component of effective Burrow Tube Recalls.
7. Cool Down
Always end the 5-10 minute session on a high note. For the final repetition, make the tunnel extra short and easy. After they succeed, give them a final treat and use a clear end-of-session cue like “All done!” This signals that the game is over and helps them transition calmly back to other activities.
- Time per session:
- 5–10 minutes
- Cost:
- Free with household items; low cost if purchasing a soft dog tunnel.
Why This Confidence-Building Tunnel Recall Works
The burrow tube recall game is more than just a cute trick; it’s a powerful application of learning theory that builds a more reliable, confident dog. It works by layering several core training concepts into a single, motivating exercise.
At its heart, the game uses positive reinforcement 101. The dog performs a behavior (traveling through the tunnel to you) and receives a desired consequence (a treat, toy, or praise). This makes them more likely to repeat the behavior in the future. The entire interaction follows the A-B-C model of operant conditioning in dog training: the Antecedent is your recall cue, the Behavior is the dog coming through the tunnel, and the Consequence is the reward.
We build this behavior incrementally through shaping in dog training. We don’t expect the dog to run through a 10-foot tunnel on day one. Instead, we reward successive approximations: first for sniffing the tunnel, then for putting a head in, then for a full pass-through. This step-by-step process of small dog tunnel recall training ensures the dog is never overwhelmed.
Finally, this exercise is an excellent tool for threshold management in dog training. It introduces a novel sensory experience—the feeling of being enclosed—in a highly controlled and positive way. For a timid dog, this builds resilience. For an overly excited dog, rewarding calm exits teaches them to manage their arousal. This controlled introduction to novelty is what makes Burrow Tube Recalls such a fantastic confidence builder.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
My dog won’t enter the tunnel.
This is a sign the challenge is too high. Make it easier! Collapse the tunnel so it’s just a flat ring on the floor, or use two cushions placed very far apart. Sprinkle high-value treats around and inside the entrance. Don’t push or force them; let them choose to investigate. If your pup is generally fearful, you may need to help a puppy who seems scared of everything with broader confidence-building exercises first.
My dog rushes out of the tunnel frantically.
Over-arousal can undermine the goal of a calm, thoughtful recall. Shorten the tunnel to reduce anticipation. When they exit, wait a beat for them to calm down before rewarding. You can ask for a quick “sit” to help them re-engage their thinking brain. This is a great, low-stakes way to practice emotional regulation in your Burrow Tube Recalls sessions.
My dog chews the tunnel fabric or cushions.
This is common, especially with puppies. It indicates they’ve shifted from “training mode” to “self-directed play mode.” Immediately end the recall game and redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. Ensure the tunnel is put away after each session. This is a classic example of when training management and environmental control is necessary. If this happens around children, it’s also a good time to review how to teach a puppy to be gentle with kids.
My dog gets startled by the noise or feel of the tunnel.
Some dogs are sensitive to the crinkling sound of nylon tunnels or the feeling of fabric on their back. Switch to a “tunnel” made of couch cushions with a blanket draped over the top. This is quieter and softer. For true puppy burrow tunnel confidence, start with a wide, short cushion lane before trying any commercial tunnels.
When should I stop a session?
Always aim to stop while your dog is still engaged and having fun. A 5-minute session with 5-6 great repetitions is far better than a 15-minute session where the dog gets tired, frustrated, or distracted. If you see signs of stress (lip licking, yawning, avoiding the entrance) or they fail a repetition twice in a row, end the session with a very easy “win” and try again another day with a lower difficulty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the burrow tube recall game okay for young puppies?
Yes, absolutely! It’s a fantastic way to help a new puppy adjust to your home and build foundational confidence. Just ensure the tunnel is extremely short, wide, and stable. Using couch cushions is often best for puppies under 16 weeks. Constant supervision is mandatory to ensure they have a positive experience. This is a great, safe activity to add to your puppy socialization tool checklist.
What if my dog backs out of the tunnel halfway through?
Don’t worry! This is just feedback that they weren’t quite ready for that tunnel length or type. Let them back out without comment. For the next repetition, make the tunnel significantly shorter and wider so they can clearly see the exit. Rebuild their confidence with a few super-easy successes before trying to increase the length again. The point of Burrow Tube Recalls is success, not struggle.
Can I use couch cushions instead of a store-bought tunnel?
Yes, and it’s often the best way to start! A line of sturdy couch cushions creates a perfect “lane.” You can drape a blanket over the top to create more of an enclosure. This method of cushion tunnel recall training is quiet, soft, and easy to adjust, making it ideal for hesitant dogs.
How many times a week should we play this game?
For a beginner dog, 2-3 sessions per week is plenty. Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) to maintain high enthusiasm. Once your dog loves the game, you can incorporate these indoor tunnel recalls for terriers into your regular play routine whenever you need a fun, focused activity.
How do I fade the tunnel for real-life recalls?
The goal of Burrow Tube Recalls is to build a powerful reinforcement history for your recall cue. As your dog’s enthusiasm for the cue grows, start practicing in more open indoor spaces without the tunnel. The positive association you built with the game will carry over. The tunnel is a training wheel that makes the cue predict something amazing; eventually, the cue itself becomes inherently valuable to your dog.
What if I have slippery floors like hardwood or tile?
This is an important safety consideration. A dog slipping inside a tunnel can create a negative association. Always play this game on a large rug, yoga mat, or carpeted area. Good footing is essential for your dog’s confidence and physical safety during any training activity.
Conclusion: Building Confidence and Connection
Burrow Tube Recalls are more than just a rainy-day activity; they are a targeted training exercise that strengthens your recall, builds your dog’s confidence, and provides a healthy outlet for their natural instincts. By keeping sessions short, positive, and safe, you create a powerful ritual of connection that pays dividends in your day-to-day life.
Integrate this game into your routine and watch your dog’s enthusiasm for coming when called grow. It’s one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to prove that approaching you is always the best decision they can make. For more ideas, explore our full library of dog enrichment activities.
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Christopher Quinn adopted his first dog, Loki, a spirited Border Collie/Jack Russell mix, after exiting Army service in the summer of 2012. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for canine behavior and positive reinforcement training.
He studied Principles of Dog Training & Behavior at Penn Foster and has since worked with hundreds of dogs from all backgrounds. Over the past two years, Christopher has fostered more than 30 rescue dogs, giving each one a chance at a better life.
Today, he continues to write, teach, and share insights on humane dog training, blending hands-on experience with a decade of dedicated study.