I want my dog to come when I call him, how do I teach him that?

TEACH YOUR DOG TO COME WHEN CALLED – Why Bother?

Our host community members that asked us for some guidance were concerned about their dogs not listening and the risk of being hit by a car. There are several reasons why having a dog that comes when it is called can reduce the chances of being injured AND can actually be a life saver…

What does having a dog that comes when it is called do for you and your dog?

helps keep your dog safe from being hit by a car if you can stop it before it happens
helps build a trusting relationship with your dog through reward for great behaviour
keep your dog from chasing a porcupine or skunk before its too late!
keep your dog from being a nuisance to other community members who don’t like dogs
and many other situations where having your dog come to you can be very helpful!

In our last blog about training, we got started on teaching the SIT and STAY work with your dog. It is very helpful for your dog to learn this in order to learn the next step, to come when called. It takes alot of consistent, positive work with your dog but once you teach them to reliably come when called, it will last a lifetime.

Thank you again to Vicki, from Best Buddies Basics, for her contribution to this training blog edition…

You will need lots of training treats at first (regular dog food is fine OR very small pieces of any food they like as a treat)

Start the training in a secure area like a room in your house or on a long rope/leash.
Stand facing your dog, just a couple of steps away. Ask your dog to SIT and STAY
Call your dog’s name, show a treat, pat your leg, Say COME in an encouraging, happy voice. Your dog should move towards you to get the treat.
As the dog approaches you can back up a step or two to encourage the dog to keep moving towards you
If your dog is on a rope/leash, step back, but do not pull on the rope/leash. You want your dog to COME because you have called him, NOT because you have pulled him.
When your dog is close in front of you give him lots of verbal praise (GOOD DOG!) and then REWARD him with the treat
Practice this sequence about 10 times.

At the next training session, increase the distance 2 or 3 more steps and repeat the above exercise.

Once you have a solid COME to the length of the rope/leash – drop the rope/leash.
Work up to asking your dog to COME to you throughout the day from anywhere in the house or yard when there are NO distractions, like other dogs, people, etc. Don’t forget to PRAISE and REWARD!
When your dog will come to you whenever you call, from anywhere in the house or yard, you are ready to make it a little harder.
Move to a place outside the house or yard, but somewhere still close to home, and not too busy.
Repeat the above steps, gradually increasing the distance between you and your dog before asking him to COME!
Now you will need to use the LONG rope or leash to keep your dog from wandering off until he understands that the word “COME” always means good things happen – he gets a tasty treat!!

Useful Tips

If possible begin teaching COME indoors or in a confined area where your dog cannot leave you. Do not do outdoor training for COME until your dog can do it indoors or in a yard on a rope/leash whenever you ask.
After your dog comes to you and you REWARD him with a treat, you may need to ask him to SIT or STAY to continue the exercise because he will want to come to you for more treats as soon as you step away
Be patient. Encourage your dog. ALWAYS use a HAPPY, friendly voice when teaching your dog to come to you. YOU must be more interesting and exciting than anything else around your dog.
ALWAYS reward your dog for coming when called! This means you will either give a treat each time, or you can reward him with LOTS of praise, or even by giving him a toy or stick to play a game of fetch!
NEVER call your dog to COME to punish him. This is the fastest way to teach your dog NOT to come when you call. Even if your dog has done something wrong but he comes when you call him, you STILL praise him and REWARD for coming to you. If you punish him when he comes to you, that punishment will be associated with coming to you, not with whatever it may have been that made you angry.

ANYTIME your dog comes to you, even without being called, indoors or outdoors, lavish him with PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE – GOOD DOG!!!! and treats or play. You want your dog to learn that COMING to YOU is ALWAYS THE BEST THING EVER!! That is how you will get a reliable, happy dog that will come when you call.