Teaching your dog to come when called, also known as recall, is one of the most crucial skills they can learn. However, it can be a challenging process, as dogs are naturally drawn to the many interesting things in the world around them. Every time we ask our dog to come to us, we are essentially asking them to stop whatever they are currently engaged in. This guide will provide you with the steps and techniques to effectively train your dog this essential command.
What You Need to Teach “Come”
To successfully teach your dog the recall command, you will need a few key items:
- High-value treats: Choose small, soft treats that your dog absolutely loves. These will serve as powerful motivators during training.
- A quiet, enclosed area: Begin training in a distraction-free environment, such as a quiet room indoors, to help your dog focus on you.
Steps for Teaching “Come”
Follow these steps to gradually build your dog’s recall reliability:
- Introduction to the Cue: Start by sitting down with your puppy in a quiet area. Say their name or the command word, “come.”
- Positive Association: Each time you say “come” or their name, immediately give your puppy a treat. At this initial stage, your puppy doesn’t need to perform any action; the goal is simply to create a positive association with the word.
- Treat on the Floor: Place a treat on the floor near you. Once your puppy finishes eating the treat on the ground, repeat the cue (“come” or their name). When they look up at you, give them another treat.
- Increasing Distance: Repeat the previous step multiple times, gradually increasing the distance you toss the treat. As you toss the treat further, ensure your dog can turn around to face you when you say their name. Important Note: Avoid repeating your puppy’s name excessively. Saying it too often without a response can lead to them ignoring it. If this happens, move closer to your puppy and revert to a step where they can successfully respond to their name the first time.
- Adding Movement and Fun: Once your puppy can reliably turn to face you, begin incorporating movement to make the training more engaging. Toss a treat on the ground and take a few quick steps away while calling your puppy’s name. They should naturally want to chase after you as part of the game.
- Reinforcement: When your puppy catches up to you, shower them with praise, treats, or engage in a game with a tug toy. The objective is to emphasize that coming to you is a highly enjoyable experience.
- Generalization: Continue building upon these steps in new environments and over longer distances. When training outdoors, always do so in a safe, enclosed area. Initially, using a long leash can be beneficial to provide a safety net while still allowing for freedom of movement.
Keep in Mind for Successful Recall
When your puppy comes to you, resist the urge to immediately reach out and grab them. For some dogs, this action can be confusing or even frightening. If you have a timid puppy, try kneeling down, facing them sideways, and offering treats as you gently reach for their collar. Crucially, never call your dog if you intend to punish them. This will only teach them to avoid you. Even if your dog has been mischievous, always reward them generously for responding to their name or the recall cue.
Kait Hembree, Head of Training at GoodPup, highlights the importance of keeping recall training fun and engaging. She states, “It is critical that we work to ensure a positive and highly reinforced connection to our dog’s recall cue by working to balance the fun with allowing them to at times return to what they were doing originally when we called them. Always rewarding for their immediate response when cued; and making sure that the value of their reward is worth what they walked away from to come to us.” This approach ensures that the reward for coming to you is always more appealing than what they left behind.
Make Recall Training Fun with Games
Here are some enjoyable games to reinforce your dog’s recall training:
- Can You Catch Me?: During an on-leash walk, get your dog’s attention and then turn around, running the other way. As your pup starts moving with you, say “come!” After a few steps, stop and reward your pup with a treat or a toy. Note: Ensure your dog is paying attention before you start running to avoid accidentally yanking the leash.
- Hide-and-Seek: This is a delightful game for both dogs and humans. While your dog is in another room, hide and then call out for them to find you. Once your pup locates you, reward them with praise and treats. This game is best introduced after your dog has a solid understanding of the basic recall command.
- Hot Potato: Gather two or more friends and give each person a high-value treat. Take turns calling your dog between each of you, rewarding them each time they successfully come to the person who called them.
Test Your Skills
Did you know that “come when called” is one of the ten required skills for both puppies and adult dogs to earn the Virtual Home Manners title? For puppies aged 3 months to 1 year, they must reliably come when called from 10 feet away inside the house. For adult dogs aged 4 months and older, the requirement is to come when called from 20 feet away or from another room, both indoors and outdoors. This highlights the importance of mastering this command for your dog’s overall good manners and safety.
Sources:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
