Mastering 'Come': Effective Dog Training Techniques

Training your dog requires convincing it that the allure of your presence is greater than the temporary thrill of freedom. The training sessions should be brief and always conclude with a reward. However, teaching your dog to respond to the "come" command is more challenging than it seems. Most dogs quickly realize they can outpace you and find the thrill of running away more enjoyable than calmly walking by your side.

Ideally, your dog should not be granted freedom until it has proven it can reliably come to you when called. Until then, you can limit its "leash" experiences to areas where you feel it's unnecessary to call it, such as a fenced backyard. Enclosed spaces are ideal for training because if your dog doesn't come when called, it won't face the risk of running off or getting injured.

Part One: Freedom or Food

How do you make your dog believe that coming to you is better than running free? Remember two key concepts: confinement (not rewarding your dog when it is free) and positive reinforcement (telling your dog it will be rewarded when it comes to you).

Confinement can be achieved with a long, lightweight leash, such as a 50foot retractable line or a simple 6foot leash. Use these tools to "catch" your dog.

Positive reinforcement or rewards are crucial in any type of training. For most dogs, food is the ideal motivator. Each time your dog comes when called, provide an immediate reward, such as a few pieces of sugared cereal or dried liver treats, at least initially. As your dog becomes more cooperative, you can start to provide rewards intermittently and gradually reduce the frequency.

Part Two: Take It Step by Step

Begin in an environment that is free from distractions—such as your living room or backyard—to capture your dog's attention. Then, step back a short distance, get down on your knees, and extend your arms away from your body, enthusiastically calling out, "Sue, come here!" Running a few meters back can also help. Remember to keep your voice high and cheerful, as no dog is interested in a stern, unhappy owner. If that doesn't work, try, "Sue, come on, good girl," and praise it before it arrives, so it knows it's in no trouble.

Reinforce its behavior and then gradually increase your distance. Note that training sessions should be short, and don't expect too much in the first few days. If your dog seems to lose interest, stop the training after a simple success. As a general rule for dog training, sessions should be brief (about 510 minutes) and end on a positive note. Gradually increase the distance during each training session, and introduce environmental distractions later on. When you feel your dog is wellcoordinated, take it to the park or other new places to test its skills.

Do not release your dog's leash unless you are certain it will return to you. If you're unsure, approach it rather than calling it. Any opportunity for misbehavior will quickly make it realize that freedom is more fun.

Part Three: Never Punish

A crucial rule in training is never to scold your dog when it comes to you. This is important, even if it has just chewed up your custommade cowboy boots. If it can be successfully called, you must praise and reward it. (However, counting to 100 slowly to calm your nerves is allowed and can serve as encouragement.) When your dog is familiar with your commands, try calling it "come" while it is sniffing or playing. Additionally, a clothesline or a long string can provide a gentle reminder to avoid it ignoring you.