Bacchus – I’m calling you. Come!
One of the most important training exercises to teach your dog is to come when called. The primary goal is to get Bacchus to stop what he’s doing immediately and return to you.
It doesn’t happen overnight
The key to this exercise is consistency and immediate rewards. The dog must always get a reward every time you say come and he obeys. At first, use a food reward along with enthusiastically praising him. Once the dog has mastered the command, exchange the food reward for a favorite toy or good petting while enthusiastically saying ‘good dog!’ And always have the reward ready; don’t search for it in your pockets or bag.
Never vary the command phrasing. It should always be the dog’s name first, followed by ‘come. If anyone else in the family uses the come command it should always be ‘come’ not ‘come here.’
Wherever you start the training, make sure it is in a quiet calm environment. You want the dog’s full attention so stay away from regular parks or dog parks at this point.
Here’s how
- Start indoors at the end of your dog’s leash.
- While he’s not paying close attention to you, say his name followed by come in a clear, excited tone.
- As soon as your dog comes to you, praise him lavishly without causing overexcitement.
- If he doesn’t come, lightly tug on the leash to encourage him. Again, keep an upbeat, excited tone to your voice –coming to you is a very positive thing.
- Repeat indoors until the dog listens consistently, then gradually move outdoors. As he improves, practice it without the leash but only if you have a fenced-in yard.
If your dog tries to run away from you, don’t run after him – this only turns it into a game. Turn the game around by calling his name and running away from him. He may then run after you playfully. Say “good come” and reward him with praise. This can be especially useful in an emergency situation.
Never scold the dog that comes to you
Always keep your recalls on a positive note. Consider two scenarios that derail your recall efforts.
- You call your dog. He doesn’t obey immediately, but eventually saunters over to you. You’re mad at him for not listening, so you scold him upon coming to you.
- Never use the word come for something the dog will associate negatively (harsh discipline, a trip to the vet, or taking medication). The dog must always associate the come command with something good. If you are ending a fun activity, don’t say come and then put the leash on.