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How to Train a Dog to Come

Training your dog to come to you when called is not only important for behavior reasons but for safety reasons as well. A simple recall command could be the difference between life and death if your dog gets loose and is headed for a busy street. Dogs that respond to this basic command are also allowed to enjoy more freedom outside when involved in activities such as hiking or playing at the dog park. Use a training technique that interests your dog and show him plenty of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help teach him this basic command.[1]

EditSteps

EditTraining While on Leash

  1. Choose the right location. As with any new command, you want to start with a location that’s familiar to your dog and free from distractions such as toys, small children, food, loud noises, or other animals.[2] This allows your dog to focus as much as possible on you, the command, and the behavior you want him to associate it with.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • If you live with other people, keep them involved in the training process too. This way they will know not to distract your dog while you’re teaching commands.
  2. Leash your dog. While your dog will later graduate to off-leash developments in the method, the initial training should take place on leash to keep him close and focused on you. Start with a shorter, six-foot leash that keeps your dog close and you more present in his field of vision.[3]
    Train a Dog to Come Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • Stand an appropriate distance away so that your dog can’t reach you within just a step or two. For a small dog, this may only be two or three feet, whereas you may stand back the entire six-foot length of the leash for a large dog.
  3. Say “come” and begin taking quick steps backward. Your dog will naturally want to chase you playfully when you start taking fast backward steps away from him.[4] You want to issue the command a single time, ensuring you say it before you begin moving backward.[5] This will allow your dog to hear the command clearly before getting distracted by wanting to chase you.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • Issuing the command one time is sufficient. The more you say to your dog during training, the less likely he is to begin associating any of the words with behaviors.[6]
    • If your dog does not respond and stays put, give your leash a slight tug and encourage him to move toward you.
  4. Consider using a hand signal as well. Signals are a good idea since they further associate the behavior, and they also help in situations where your dog can see you, but may not be able to hear you.[7] If you choose to teach with both verbal and hand signals, use a distinct hand signal. Make sure you use the signal and the verbal command at the same time.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • You can wave your hand toward your body or point at the ground in front of you. Holding your hand out in front of you, palm up, and curling your fingers back onto your palm is another common signal for the come command.
  5. Move backward until your dog reaches you. You want your dog to associate the command with coming all the way to you and not simply running a few feet. To help with this while using the shorter leash, keep backpedaling (carefully not to run into anything) until your dog reaches you.[8]
    Train a Dog to Come Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    • If you are clicker training your dog, be sure to click as soon as your dog starts moving toward you and when he reaches you. This will reinforce his movement, direction, and good behavior.[9]
  6. Offer positive reinforcement. Once your dog reaches you, offer plenty of praise. Repeated positive reinforcement helps your dog to understand that he’s doing what you want with the associated behavior.[10]
    Train a Dog to Come Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • Though positive reinforcement most often takes the form of praise and a treat, use your knowledge of your dog to your advantage. Maybe you know he responds best to being given his favorite toy after obeying a command.
  7. Add distractions and distance. The key to success is introducing greater distances and distracting environments in small increments that add a new dimension without overwhelming your dog. If you initially begin in your quiet living room without any toys around, try scattering a few toys next time, and then try turning on the TV as well the time after that. Next, try moving it to the backyard and using a fifteen-foot leash instead of the shorter one.[11]
    Train a Dog to Come Step 7 Version 2.jpg
  8. Use the method while on walks. One of the best ways to help train on the command consistently is to incorporate it into your daily walks with your dog.[12] This not only ensures that you’re regularly practicing the command with your dog, but it also provides a variety of different locations and surrounding levels of distraction to challenge your dog to stay focused.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 8 Version 2.jpg
  9. Issue the command without backing up. Your dog will eventually learn to associate the command with the behavior, allowing you to stop taking steps backward to initiate the behavior. Reduce the number of steps you take after issuing the command from several to just one or two. After that, work on issuing the command without taking steps backward at all.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    • Remember to be patient. If your dog fails to come when you stand still, go back to taking one or two steps for another day, and try try again.
  10. Consider group training sessions. If your dog hits a wall anywhere in the process, then consider taking him to a trainer. A professional trainer can help correct any mistakes in your home technique for the training, and the group environment is great for socializing your dog.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    • A trainer can teach you and your dog how to best communicate with each other and how to learn from each other as well.[13]

EditProgressing to Off-Leash Training

  1. Try recalling your dog off leash. After several days or weeks—depending on your dog—of on-leash training, choose an enclosed area, and see if you can get your dog to come while off leash. If he doesn’t respond to the command, you may have to start using the back-up method again to make him chase you.[14] Remember that the process will take time and patience, so don’t allow yourself to get frustrated if your dog doesn’t quite understand yet the first time you take him off his leash. The important part is to keep trying.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    • Also, avoid repeating the command over and over if it’s proving ineffective. Each time you repeat the command without the dog understanding, you risk weakening the association he had already begun to form with the command. If he’s not responding at all, go back to using the long-leash training for another day or two before trying again.
    • If you do initially have to take a step or two backward to initiate the behavior, reduce those steps, take smaller steps, and other similar actions to wean your dog off needing you to move to respond to the command.
    • Occasionally ask him to come when he is not expecting you to. For example, call him when he is sniffing around the yard to test his attention to the command.
  2. Use restrained recalls. As you try to increase the distance from which you recall your dog, you may have to get help from another person. The restrained recall variation involves having someone else hold your dog still, so you can get farther away without your dog following along. When you’re ready, issue the command once (along with any hand signals you may also be teaching) and have the person restraining your dog let go.[15]
    Train a Dog to Come Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    • As always, use your clicker if clicker training and offer plenty of positive reinforcement when your dog reaches you.
    • The best way for the person holding the dog to restrain him is by lacing fingers across his chest.[16]
  3. Try a “round-robin” approach. Once your dog is successfully responding to the command for you, a round-robin approach offers new challenges and complexity to the process. Have two or three additional people besides yourself stand in a large circle at least twenty feet apart, and then have people on different sides of the circle take turns issuing the command and having your dog come.[17]
    Train a Dog to Come Step 13 Version 2.jpg
    • Make sure that each person has the proper amount of time to give your dog praise and a treat before the next person issues the command.[18] Remember to use the clicker if you’re clicker training and to have each person use the proper signal if you’re using hand signals in addition to the command.
  4. Expand the range of training. After you feel more comfortable with your dog's progress, alter the training environment and increase your dog's exposure to distractions. If you notice that your dog always seems distracted during training, you should backtrack and work in a familiar setting again before moving onto more complicated environments.[19]
    Train a Dog to Come Step 14 Version 2.jpg
    • Make sure that you never progress all the way to open areas (or even enclosed park dogs where safety may be an issue) until your dog is successfully obeying the command in various locations with all different levels of distraction.
  5. Get help. If your dog is consistently struggling to make the leap from obeying the command on his leash to obeying it while off his leash, then don’t be afraid to get help from a professional dog trainer. A training session with an instructor can guide you through these difficulties. You can also contact a professional trainer or canine behaviorist to get more advice.
    Train a Dog to Come Step 15 Version 2.jpg
    • Each dog is different and therefore not every dog learns in exactly the same way.[20]

EditTips

  • Make the learning process as fun as possible initially. While your dog is still practicing the recall command, don’t try to use it when you want him to come for a nail trim or anything else he doesn’t like. This will only introduce a negative association for your dog.
  • You can start teaching your dog a recall command once he is about three months old. Each session should last about five to ten minutes, and you can attempt up to three sessions spread throughout the day. Typically, the younger the dog, the shorter each session will need to be because of limited attention spans.[21]
  • If you only use this command when it is time to stop playtime, your dog will interpret this as a punishment and think that this command always precedes the end of a good time for her.[22]
  • Always end your training sessions on a positive note.[23]
  • Never punish or scold your dog after he eventually does come after a very delayed recall no matter how infuriating or frustrating the delay. If you do, your dog will then associate recall with punishment and will be reluctant to come in the future.

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EditSources and Citations


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