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Category: Animals & Pets : Dogs
If you haven't read it already, please read my article "The Basics" for an intro to training.
The "come" command is one that is routinely disobeyed by many dogs- and often for good reason!
To start with, here are a few rules for teaching "come":
Never call a dog to you for anything the dog may perceive as negative- scolding, baths, nail clipping, pill-giving, etc. If you need to give your dog a bath or pill, go get the dog! "Come" should always be a command the dog is happy to hear.
Never call your dog when you can't reinforce the command or haven't trained the dog to respond to the command. You are just teaching your dog to ignore you.
If your dog already routinely ignores the word "come", pick a new command word like "here" or "front" to use while training your dog.
Step 1
Get a good supply of small food treats. Take them and your dog into a quiet room; one where you have enough room to take several steps backwards and where there is nothing of great interest to the dog.
Step 2
When your dog is a few steps away from you, and not looking at you, say "Rover, come!" in a happy, high-pitched voice. As he turns to you, back up quickly so he has to run to catch you (the chase instinct is a powerful motivator for most dogs!). As he reaches you, lure him into a sit and give him treats and praise! Repeat until he is running up to you at the sound of your call. Take a break!
Step 3
Repeat the step above. Now, however, before you give the dog his treat, take ahold of his collar as he sits. Feed him while you hold his collar. As you release the collar, say "Go play!". This step ensures that you can control the dog when he gets to you. Without this training, lots of dogs will just run up to you and run circles around you when you call them! Repeat until he is sitting in front of you and you can take his collar every time you call him.
Step 4
Now move to the back yard (or a small, safe, boring fenced area if you do not have a yard). Repeat Step 2 above. If your dog does not come as soon as you call him, turn and run! He'll run after you to catch up.
It's best to train this without a leash (after all, most of the times you want your dog to come to you, he'll be off-leash), but if the dog isn't responding, put him on a leash. Do not let the leash get tight, however, unless you have to run backwards, and do not jerk the leash or yell at the dog. Even if you need to use the leash, make sure to praise and pet the dog when he gets to you! Save the treats for the times he responds right away. After a few sessions with the leash on, let it drag, picking it up only if the dog does not respond to the command. Then remove it.
Repeat until the dog is turning and running to you reliably every time you call. Don't forget to take hold of his collar and release him with "go play!".
Step 5
For this step, you'll need a "long line" You can use a 50' piece of clothesline or a special long nylon leash. Practice in your back yard or fenced area. Let the dog drag the line; do not pick it up. Let the dog wander away. If he starts to go too far, step on the line (but try to call him before he goes too far!).
When he is about 10' away, call him. If he responds right away, treats and praise! If he does not, run backwards as in step 4 above. Remember to praise and pet as he comes to you. If he does not come even when you run back, take ahold of the line and give it a gentle tug. Praise and pet when he comes to you.
Save the treats for the times he responds right away. Repeat until he is running up to you at the sound of your call, every time. Don't forget to take hold of his collar and release him with "go play!". Take a break!
Step 6
Repeat step 5 above, but gradually let the dog go a little further before you call him. When he comes every time from 50', go to step 7.
Step 7
Repeat Step 6 in many different areas until your dog is absolutely reliable. Gradually introduce distractions such as people nearby, other dogs, food, etc. If the dog is distracted, shorten the leash and work until he comes even with the distraction. When the dog comes every time, even with distractions, go to step 8.
Step 8
In a safe, fenced-in area, remove the leash. Let the dog get some distance away. Call him. If he comes right away (he should!), have a party!
If not, walk him down. Do not yell or get mad, but calmly walk up to the dog and take him by the collar (no matter how long it takes you to catch him!). Quickly walk him back to where you first called, giving the collar short shakes and saying something like "I said "come"!". At the point where you called him, release him and then call again. He should come straight to you- most dogs need only one or two collar shakes to know you mean business. Repeat until he comes every time.
Congratulations- you have taught your dog to come!
Other Articles in this Category
How to Train a Dog: Down
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How to Train a Dog: The Basics
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How to Keep Your Dog From Digging In Your OutdoorFlower Pots
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by Brenda Schultheis
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