How To Train A Dog To Come
Learning how to train a dog to come is extremely important. Teaching your dog the come (or recall) command will not only be useful when it's time to come in but in dangerous situations such as a busy road, when encountering wildlife, or just giving your dog the opportunity to experience more freedom because they have mastered 'Come'. So obviously this is essential but not always easy thing to teach. Our ulitmate goal is for our dogs to quickly respond to your Come command but this will take time. Lots of practicing, patience & reward!
Training
Make Coming To You Fun & Rewarding
Start by having some yummy treats on hand. When you have your dogs attention and his right in front of and focused on you begin walking backwards. You can encourage him by calling his name, having the treat by his nose and sounding exciting. Telling him he is a good boy etc and give him his treat as he follows you. Don't be boring! Coming to you should be positive NOT negative. This is teaching him that it is.
Stand Up
Once you have practiced this you can move on to standing straight and moving backwards, not holding the treat by his nose any longer. Once you have gone a little ways back give him his treat. Praise him and be fun.
Come
After lots of practicing and mastering the above steps it's time to come. Call your dogs name and make sure he is focused on you. Remember, don't be boring! When he starts towards you say ''Come'' or your chosen word. When he gets to you give him his reward! You can exercise this everywhere but keep a leash on your dog in outdoor areas that are not safe. You will want to practice off leash recalling but do so in a safe area, like an enclosed yard.
Start by having some yummy treats on hand. When you have your dogs attention and his right in front of and focused on you begin walking backwards. You can encourage him by calling his name, having the treat by his nose and sounding exciting. Telling him he is a good boy etc and give him his treat as he follows you. Don't be boring! Coming to you should be positive NOT negative. This is teaching him that it is.
Stand Up
Once you have practiced this you can move on to standing straight and moving backwards, not holding the treat by his nose any longer. Once you have gone a little ways back give him his treat. Praise him and be fun.
Come
After lots of practicing and mastering the above steps it's time to come. Call your dogs name and make sure he is focused on you. Remember, don't be boring! When he starts towards you say ''Come'' or your chosen word. When he gets to you give him his reward! You can exercise this everywhere but keep a leash on your dog in outdoor areas that are not safe. You will want to practice off leash recalling but do so in a safe area, like an enclosed yard.
TIPS: DO
- DO choose one word to mean come. Use ''Come'' or ''Here'' or what ever you prefer but not both.
- DO keep a leash on dogs who do not come to the ''come'' command when in or near places like roads, parks, wilderness etc.
- DO use a long training leash to train in places like parks but to still stay safe.
TIPS: DON'T
- DON'T punish or holler at your dog when you tell him to ''Come'' he will connect that come means getting into trouble.
- DON'T use the word come in a negative way or tone.
- DON'T be boring. Who would want to come back to a boring owner when there are more interesting things to do and smell? If your dog is running away from you try getting his attention then running away from him. He may find chasing you allot of fun!
Practice, Practice, Practice
For many dogs things can be a difficult lesson to learn, especially when faced with things like the great outdoors or interesting dogs to play with. Remember to always reward your dog for coming to you. Even if you didn't call him over, reward him. Coming to you has to be a good thing. Practice, Practice, Practice!
