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Fluffy, Come....Fluffy?!.....Fluffy! Come!... FLUFFY!!... FLUFFY! COME!!.... #*&#%*, FLUFFY!! GET OVER HERE!!!... FLUFFY!! FLUFFY!!......*%#$ #*#.
Everybody wants a dog that will reliably come when called, but this is one of the hardest things for some pet owners to teach. Try to imagine being a dog and having just discovered a most intriguing and beckoning smell across the street. Tearing yourself away from it to see what that boring person you live with wants THIS time takes a tremendous amount of willpower! You have to teach your dog that there will always be a very good reason for him to come to you. There are really only two basic things that are important to dogs and the most valuable thing is food (never mind about the other thing). Even if your dog usually likes to work for ball-playing, always use a food reward, with play, if necessary, for the “Come” command. Never call your dog to discipline him or call him in a low or angry voice.
This article is not about training your dog for traditional obedience trial recalls. This is only about getting your pet to come to you every time you call. He does not have to sprint to you and sit squarely in front of you after he comes. He can sit behind you or leap into your arms if he wants. However, it is a good idea to teach your dog sit or stand within reach so you can touch his collar, or put a leash on him. You can still train a formal recall after your dog learns that he can always come to you for something great
Decide on one command that you will use for the rest of your dog’s life when you absolutely need him to come to you immediately. This is the “Life or Death” command, the Special Signal. Most people use “Come!” Every time your dog obeys this command, you must greet him with the most praise, love, and affection and give him a treat. Then, pet him some more. Every time you call your dog using this command, give him a treat and love him. While you are training, if you do not have a treat, do not use this command.
Teaching a puppy to come to you is easy. A puppy is usually happy to come to you and follow you around. You may not need a leash on your puppy for this exercise if you are training him indoors. If you are training an adult dog, you may want to use a leash. You do need to have your dog in a small enough area that you can control his movement. A hallway is a great place to teach. It is a built-in tunnel to your arms. Be sure you have treats with you before you start.
Squat down and in your happiest, most excited voice, call your dog using your special come signal. Clap your hands, snap your fingers, repeat the word, run backwards, call your dog’s name and use your body language to invite him to play. Do whatever you need to do to convince him you are very interesting and worth investigating. When he does come to you (and he will) give him a treat and love, pet and praise him. Act as if you have not seen him in ages! This is the routine every time you use the Special Signal. Always have a treat or do not use the Special Signal. THE RULE IS YOU CANNOT EVER LET HIM REFUSE TO COME TO YOU WHEN YOU USE THE SPECIAL SIGNAL. If you have any doubt that your dog will come when called with the Special Signal, use a leash to help bring him to you when you call. It is up to you not to let him fail.
Use “Let’s Go” or “Come On” to teach your dog it is time to stop playing and come in the house. Teach “Let’s Go” by rewarding with treats and praise and encouragement as you would the Special Signal. However, do not use the command out of context. Use the “Let’s Go” command if you want your dog to stop playing so you can give him a bath. The differences in the two commands are when you use them and how you reward for them. Never use the Special Signal for something the dog considers unpleasant. When your dog has learned what you want him to do, you can reward the “Let’s Go” with just praise and an occasional treat. Eventually, you will only need to reward with praise.
Remember to always reward the correct response to the Special Signal with a treat. The only time you do not reward with a treat for coming with the Special Signal is in a real emergency when you may not have a treat in your pocket. The Special Signal does not have to be just a word. You might want to incorporate a unique, (but not too complicated) whistle with the Come command.
When your dog is reliable about coming to you in the hall, train him in a different area of the house. When he is reliable there, take him outside, on a leash, and teach him to come with distractions. Be patient and be interesting to your dog. If you think your dog has mastered the recall on leash, start to practice off leash in the house and in a fenced area. Continue to challenge your dog’s mind with new situations but set him up to win, not to fail. Use a leash in all new situations.
When you think your dog has learned to come when called, give yourself a treat! However, do not stop there. Training is something you should continue to practice together throughout the life of your dog.
Copyright 2004 Kathie Compton
You are welcome to copy this article for your own use but please include the author and copyright information
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