Training Your Dog
to Come When Called
A Life Saver
Training your dog to come when called can save your dogs life if he is about to run out into busy traffic. It can also save you the embarrassment of having to run through your neighborhood in your bath robe when your dog has escaped.
The biggest key to training your dog to come when called is to make the experience positive and FUN for the dog. You are competing with the squirrel he wants to chase or the tasty garbage can down the block. Make it fun and rewarding for your dog and he will happily come to you when called.
Rules for Training Your Dog to Come When Called
1. NEVER call your dog to you and scold him for something he has done. EVERY time your dog comes to you he must be praised with your positive word. It doesn’t matter that he ate your sofa 3 minutes ago. If he comes, he must be rewarded with praise. If your dog is not doing something that he should, you need to go to him and give him the negative word and handle the situation by going to him, NOT by having him come to you first.
2. The reward for coming to you must be of higher value than what he as left in order to come to you. This is critical in the initial stages of learning come when called. If he ignored the cat running up the tree to come back to you, then you must praise him with great enthusiasm and offer a high value treat.
3. Teach your dog to come when called in a confined area or on a leash. Do not turn him loose in the dog park and try to practice this. Purchase a long lead (20, 30 or 50 feet) to allow you to practice while still having control of the dog.
4. Never chase after your dog. He will think this is a great game and only run faster. If you do find yourself in a position that your dog has escaped and is off of his leash, try walking away from him instead of going after him. Running from him may work even better. Get his attention by clapping or squeaking a toy. The moment he looks up to you, start running from him. He should begin to chase you and come back.
Techniques for Training Your Dog to Come When Called
1. Play “monkey in the middle”. Start in a hallway of your home with one person at one end of the hall and one person at the other end. Each person holds a ball or squeaky toy. A reward that the dog is very interested in. One person says dogs name, “come”. After saying the word “come” begin squeaking the toy or bouncing the ball. The dog will get excited and come running. Praise him greatly when he arrives. Then the other person at the other end does the same. Say the dogs name, “come”. Bounce the ball or squeak the toy and he will come running to you. This is a great game that everyone will have fun with. Your dog is learning that coming to someone results in very positive things for him.
2. In a fenced yard, you can play “monkey in the middle”, as well. Now you will have greater distance and more distractions. One person holds the dog by his collar. The other person goes 10 or 20 feet away with a toy or other reward. Call the dog’s name and say “come”. Show him the toy and he should come running to you. Repeat the exercise back and forth and add more distance. If the dog does not come, you can put him on a long lead to help guide him to you. The more excited you get, the quicker he will come running.
3. If you are having difficulty getting your dog to come into the house when he is out in the yard, try getting his attention first with a squeaky toy. Squeak the toy several times and then say his name and “come”. You can try clapping your hands to get his attention as well. Remember to always praise the dog each and every time he comes to you. The more excited you are, the more eager he will be to come.
Things to Remember Understand that training your dog to come when called is not as easy as sit, stay or other obedience commands. Come when called can be one of the most difficult things to train your dog to do on a consistent basis. This is a skill that you must practice for the life of your dog. Time, patience and excitement will result in success.
Please keep in mind that some dogs are more capable of learning the come when call than others. No matter how excited you are, a beagle will not ignore his nose to come back to you when he is following a scent. A greyhound will not stop chasing a rabbit to come back to you, his instinct to chase is overpowering.
No matter how well trained you think your dog his, keep him safe by always using a leash when you are in public. The only time a dog should be off leash is when he is in a fenced yard or at the dog park.
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