Teaching Your Dog To Come When Called

Start with your dog on a six foot leash. Call you dog's name and give the command "come". You can use the leash to pull your dog towards you or use a treat to help your dog learn faster. Go crazy with praise when your dog reaches you. When your dog even starts moving towards you, go crazy with praise to encourage your dog to keep coming.

After your dog is doing well on the six foot leash, use a long line. Then, add distractions. Be patient and help your dog to learn. Always give lots of praise and never strike or yell at your dog.

Your dog should never be afraid to come to you. You must always reward your dog for coming to you, even if your reason for calling your dog is to stop undesirable behavior. Never punish a dog that comes when called.

Some dogs will come so fast that you need to brace yourself and be prepared to turn sideways to prevent being knocked to the ground. If you are small and your dog is large, you should teach your dog to sit in front of you, or circle you and sit down, rather than jump into you arms or bowl you over when called.

Dogs come to people who reward them with praise, affection, or treats. Dogs like to chase and be chased. You will exhaust yourself trying to chase your loose dog and "catch me if you can" is a fun game for your dog. If you are trying to catch your loose dog, run away from your dog, tempt your dog with a toy, or show your dog their leash.

Dogs will often run towards you when they see their leash. Dogs who go for lots of walks on leash know their leash means a walk. Most dogs do not consider that they are already loose and can go for a walk on their own without their leash and owner.