Training a dog to come when called is very important for behavioral reasons as well as dog safety. A simple 'come' command can determine life or death should a dog escape and head for a busy street. Dogs who have learned this command may also enjoy more outdoor activities such as hiking or playing in the park. Use training techniques that match your dog's interests and show lots of patience, consistency and positive support to help your dog learn these basic commands.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Training with the Leash
Step 1. Determine the right mindset
Dogs won't learn anything if you don't have the right understanding. It's a good idea to seek information first before starting to train your dog. It's a good idea to join a pet obedience program together and then continue to practice alone at home. For positive practice, remember:
- Dogs can sense your mood. If you train him with annoyance or anger, your dog will feel the same way. While you need to be consistent, it's a good idea to stop training your dog for a few days instead of carrying negative emotions during training. Make this exercise a positive activity.
- Make sure your dog can master one step before moving on to the next. Success on one try doesn't mean the dog really "gets it." You'll still need to repeat the exercise to make sure your dog is consistent. Make sure your dog is fully capable of the first step before moving on to the next.
- Practice short, but often. Dogs, especially puppies, are short-lived. Forcing intense training over long periods of time can be frustrating for both you and your dog.
- Don't get frustrated when your dog fails to do something. When learning something new, of course there will always be failure. This is not bad, and is just part of the learning process. If your dog feels like he's letting you down, and doesn't know why, this exercise will be a bad thing.
- Never punish a dog for obeying your orders. If you give an order, you should not be confused and feel that the order is wrong. If the dog chases the deer and you tell him to "come" and he does come, give the dog a compliment. Don't get upset and scold the dog for chasing the deer. The dog could only understand that if he came, he would be punished. So, next time, he won't come again.
Step 2. Choose the right location
As with other new commands, start training in a location the dog is familiar with and away from distractions such as toys, children, food, noise, or other animals. This makes it easier for the dog to focus fully on your presence, your commands, and the behavior you want to achieve.
If you live with other people, don't involve them in the training process. That way, they will know not to interrupt during the training
Step 3. Put the leash on the dog
Before your dog is fit enough to be trained without a leash, it is necessary to start training on a leash so that the dog is completely focused on you. Start with a short leash (1.8 meters long) to keep you close to the dog and within his line of sight.
Stand at an appropriate distance so the dog can't reach you in just a step or two. For small dogs the distance is about 60 or 90 cm, while for large dogs stand as far as the leash (1.8 m)
Step 4. Say “here” then begin to quickly step back
Your dog will immediately give you a playful chase when you start to walk away quickly. Commands are spoken only once so say them before starting to move backwards. This way, your dog can hear commands clearly and will want to chase you before he's distracted.
- Commands are spoken only once. The more often the command is spoken during training, the less likely the dog is to associate the command with the expected behavior.
- If your dog doesn't respond and stays still, tug on the leash a little and persuade him to come after you.
Step 5. Try using hand signals too
Hand gestures are a great addition because your dog will have an easier time associating commands with behavior, and can be quite helpful when your dog can't hear, but can still see you. If you want to teach verbal commands and hand signals, use clear cues. Make sure verbal commands and hand signals are carried out together.
You can swing your arms toward your body, or point to the ground at your feet. Another commonly used coming gesture is to place your hands in front of you, palms open and facing up. Then, bend your fingers back into your palm
Step 6. Keep moving backwards until the dog reaches you
You'll want to associate this command with coming all the way to you instead of just running a few meters. If the leash is short, just keep stepping back quickly until the dog reaches you (be careful not to bump into or trip over something).
If you're using a clicker, be sure to click as soon as the dog moves toward and when it reaches you. This will support the dog's movement, direction and good behavior
Step 7. Provide positive support
When the dog has reached you, give lots of compliments. Repeated positive support will help your dog understand what you really want.
Positive support is usually a compliment or a treat, but use your knowledge of your dog to find other positive support. For example, maybe your dog is very happy to be given his favorite toy after obeying commands correctly
Step 8. Add distractions and distances
The key to a successful increase in distance and distraction in training is that the addition is given in small portions and gradually so that the dog does not get confused. If initially the practice started in a small room with no toys, this time try spreading out a few toys. Next, try turning on the television. After that, move to the backyard and use a 4.5 meter long harness.
Step 9. Apply this method while walking your dog
One of the most effective ways to practice commands is to consistently apply them to your dog's daily walks. This way, not only is the exercise regular, but it also provides a variety of locations and different levels of environmental distraction to challenge your dog's focus.
Step 10. Say the command without walking backwards
Over time, your dog will learn to associate the command with the desired behavior so that in time you won't have to step back to tell the dog to come. Reduce the number of steps taken after saying the command to just one or two steps. After that, try telling the dog to come over without backing down at all.
Be patient. If the dog won't come when you're standing still, go back a step or two back and keep trying until you can
Step 11. Try a group practice session
If solo practice fails to teach the come command, try taking it to a dog trainer. Professional trainers will correct mistakes in home training techniques, and a group environment will help your dog socialize.
The trainer will be able to teach you and your dog the best way to communicate and how to learn from each other
Part 2 of 2: Proceeding to Leashless Exercise
Step 1. Try calling your dog without a leash
After a few days or weeks of leash training, choose an enclosed area and try calling your dog on a leash. If your dog doesn't respond, we recommend repeating the method on a leash. Remember, this process takes time and patience. So don't be frustrated if your first no-leash attempt fails. The important thing is to keep trying.
- Also, don't repeat the command over and over if it turns out to be ineffective. Each time a command is repeated without the dog understanding it, the risk of weakening the command's association with behavior increases. If your dog doesn't respond at all, return to leash training for another day or two before trying the no-leash method again.
- If at first you do have to take a step or two backwards to initiate the dog's behavior (telling him to come), take a step less, take a shorter step, or do something similar so that the dog no longer needs you to move before responding to a command.
- Every now and then, ask your dog to come over at a time he doesn't expect. For example, call him while he's sniffing around the page to test his attention to the command.
Step 2. Make a call with the help of a holder
When you are trying to increase the call distance, you can ask someone else for help. This variation of restraint calling involves having someone hold your dog so you can walk away without the dog being followed. When you're ready, say the command (along with the hand signal that's also taught) and the person holding your dog releases the handle.
- As always, use your clicker during training and provide lots of positive support when the dog is able to follow commands well.
- The best way to hold your dog is to wrap your fingers in front of his chest.
Step 3. Try a “round-robin” approach
When your dog responds correctly to commands, the round-robin approach will bring new challenges and complexities to the training process. Ask for the help of two or three more people, then make a circle with each person, about 6 meters apart. Say the command from the opposite side in turn to the dog.
Give each person time to properly reward the dog before the next command is spoken. Remember to use a clicker during practice and make sure everyone does the hand signal correctly in addition to verbal commands
Step 4. Develop a range of exercises
Once you are comfortable with your dog's training progress, change the training environment and increase the number of distractions. If your dog is constantly distracted during training, return to an environment the dog is familiar with before moving on to a more complicated environment.
Never continue training in a completely open area (or even a closed dog park for safety reasons) until your dog has successfully complied with commands in various locations with varying degrees of distraction
Step 5. Seek professional help
If your dog is constantly struggling to get from leash training to leash training, don't be afraid to seek professional help. A practice session with an expert will guide you through these issues. You can also seek more advice from a professional trainer or dog behaviorist.
Every dog is different and therefore not all dogs learn in the same way
Tips
- Make this training process as enjoyable as possible. While your dog is still learning the call command, don't use it to tell him to come over and do things he doesn't like, like take a bath. This method only makes the dog associate the command with negative things.
- You can start teaching commands when your dog is three months old. Each session should last five to ten minutes, and you can do three sessions in one day. Usually, the younger the dog, the shorter the sessions, as puppy attention is very limited.
- If you use this command to stop his playtime, your dog will interpret this command as punishment and think he should stop having fun.
- Always finish training sessions in a positive mood.
- Don't punish or scold your dog for coming very slowly, no matter how frustrated you are. If you do, your dog will associate it with punishment and won't come when called on later.
