TEACHING YOUR PUPPY TO COME WHEN CALLED

By Debbie Kaminski

Please read General Training Tips first.

Step 1: Teaching the COME Command

Most of the obedience commands are taught by luring your puppy into the position using food or toys. It may seem contrary but the COME command is best taught when your puppy is distracted, even in the very beginning. If your puppy knows you have food, more than likely, he won’t leave your side which makes teaching this command very difficult. As with the other commands, you want to start in a quiet room in your house. You may need a larger room to work on this exercise. While holding your puppy on a long leash, sit on the floor and toss a treat out and wait for your puppy to get it. When he gets it, say COME and reel him in with the leash. Praise the whole way, remembering to include the COME command as reinforcement. Remember not to jerk the leash. You don’t want to correct the puppy for something he has not yet learned. You are simply guiding him with the leash.

You can also play a game with another person. Both of you should sit on the floor at least 15 feet apart. Alternate calling the puppy using the COME command and feeding treats.

Step 2: Training in Different Locations

Once your puppy is consistently coming on command indoors, it’s time to train in different places (see TRAINING LOCATIONS under General Training Tips). Keep the puppy on a long line (15-20 feet in length) and let him drag it behind him. Say COME to see if the puppy responds to you (of course, have the treats ready!). If he doesn’t respond to your command, pick up the leash and reel him in. Work your way through the four location levels.

Step 3: Taking Away the Food

Once your puppy will come on command in unfamiliar places with distractions, you can begin to slowly eliminate the use of treats. As always, begin in a quiet location. First you will ask him to COME, then praise, treat and release. Then, ask your puppy to come to you twice before treating. Continue to praise even though you are not rewarding with food. Once your puppy comes to you, play with him for a few minutes before letting him wander away again. Vary the number of times you ask him to come before giving a treat. Occasionally, give your puppy a treat on your first COME command. The idea is to always keep him guessing so he never knows when he’ll get a treat.

Never call your puppy and then punish him or do something that he finds unpleasant (i.e., nail trimming, bathing). Being near you should always be a pleasant experience. If your puppy is chewing on your best pair of shoes, don’t call your puppy to you and then punish him. Next time, I’ll bet he won’t come to you at all!

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