Teaching Your Dog to Come

To get the treat, she had to turn and come toward me, which garneredmore praise.The minute she picked up the treat, I’d repeat my request for her to come, throw another biscuit, turn and walk a short distance in the opposite direction and repeat the scenario.When she finally got to me, I would give her extra pets, lots of praise and a special high value treat. If I had time, we’d go to the dog park or the river for a swim. If time was short, we’d play a quick game of fetch or tug-a-war and I would leave her in the yard or the house with a yummy stuffed Kong.

“Come” became a joyful, positive experience. For seven wonderful years she honored my request as quickly as possible, always with a smile on her face and happiness in her eyes.The same now holds true for my current rescue, an 11-year-old Malamute mix who never had any kind of training.

To train your companion properly, your best option is to take him to obedience class, preferably one using positive training methods rather than scruff, roll and intimidate.If you don’t have time for class, or there isn’t one in your area, you can use the techniques below to help your dog learn to come.Recall training involves time, patience, and a pocket full of high value treats.Before you begin, your dog should know how to "sit” and “stay".

Start with an 8' - 10’lead attached to the dog's collar (clip, not choke).Ask him to sit at your side and then tell him to stay.Praise him, then step in front of him, turn, face him, and back up about 4'.If he moves from the sit/stay position, go back and correct him.Praise him gently and return to the position in front of him.Say his name and "come" in a high happy voice and give a very gentle tug on the lead.Don’t haul him in like a fish on a line; use short, gentle tugs. As he moves towards you, bend down, praise him, and repeat the command.When he gets to you, praise him, ask him to sit in front of you, and praise him again.Do this exercise daily, two-to-three times a day for 5 minutes or 10 minutes. Once he understands what you want, move further away before calling him.

Slowly increase the distance, then begin running backwards as you call him.Use lots of praise and, if you wish, give him a treat.As he becomes more adept at coming, use a longer lead, up to 50 feet, and begin introducing distractions.Remember - never ever get mad.You want "come" to mean good things happen.

When not in a formal training session, you should call him when he's loose in the yard.Use the command and, when he looks towards you, say something like, "Yes, good boy.Come."When he comes, give him lots of praise or a treat then let him go back to whatever he was doing.

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