Teaching your dog to come when called
For the time being, never use the word “come” unless you have two things in place:
- a leash or long line on your dog or your dog is right in front of you ready to work.
- a SUPER GOOD treat that your dog goes crazy for (better than normal treats).
The best method for training the recall is simple and can be more effective than more complicated methods.
- With your dog on the leash or a long line, let him/her walk wherever they want at the end of the rope.
- At random times, call them. Say “Rover, Come!” in a happy loud voice, trot backwards like you’re playing, reward them, and let them then go and sniff some more.
- They may start to just walk around you, waiting for more treats. That’s ok. Say “come” again, trot back, and feed.
- After you get very consistent with a short leash, move to a long line that lets you get more distance.
- What reward? You may need to experiment. It must be something that is more interesting than the ground, a squirrel, etc. This is the key. If they don’t fly to you, you need to find something better. Big rewards, happy praise – ALL the time.
Once they’re getting it…
Once things start improving, use the $20 rule when they are off leash – are you willing to bet $20 that they’ll come to you every time? This means you light that $20 on fire when they don’t! What we’re really saying is that this command needs to be really ingrained and conditioned before you start using it for real. Even then, safety first – why risk your dog without a leash in dangerous situations?
WHILE YOU ARE TRAINING THE COME COMMAND, IF THE DOG IS NOT ON A LEASH AND YOU NEED THEM TO COME TO YOU, DO NOT USE THE WORD “COME”. USE OTHER WORDS OR MOTIONS LIKE “HERE”, “THIS WAY”, PAT YOUR LEGS, RUN AROUND, WAVE SOME TREATS.
WE RECOMMEND WAITING AT LEAST 2 MONTHS AFTER THEY SEEM AUTOMATIC TO TRY USING “COME” WITH THE DOG OFF LEASH.
USE THE LONG LINE AS AN INTERIM TRAINING STEP. IF YOU WANT TO TRY OFF LEASH, TRY IN THE HOUSE OR IN A FENCED YARD WHERE YOU CAN REINFORCE.
Side notes: Don’t use the recall for something unpleasant like punishment, going inside instead of playing, etc. Instead, use one of your other words.
About Brian Markowich
Brian Markowich, CCPDT, FFCP is the owner of Dog Boy Positive Training, LLC in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, Maryland. He provides zoom consultations and in-person private lessons.
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