5Practice whenever you can.
Once your dog has a firm recall cue, you can start to use it in everyday scenarios, such as on a walk or when hanging out at home. You can even have dog park training sessions. Wherever you are, randomly ask your dog to come, and if they do, then give them a “jackpot reward.” This is when you give them three to five bits of tasty treats, one at a time, while praising them with each reward. This will make your puppy feel like they just won the lottery, and they will associate the come command with affection and treats.
Things to Avoid
Knowing how to teach a dog to come requires a lot of patience and a good attitude. It’s very important to only engage in a training session when you’re feeling relaxed, happy, and can dedicate a block of time to your dog.
Also, as you are teaching the dog the come command, it’s important to align it with only positive reinforcement, which means reinforcing positive behaviors versus punishing bad behaviors. Do not call your dog when you’re upset or to punish them. Even calling a dog inside to be crated, leaving a doggy play sesh, or getting an unwanted bath can be detrimental to their ability to recall the command later.
To recap, don’t do the following:
- Don’t rush it.
- Don’t start a training session if you are already stressed or in a bad mood.
- Don’t call your dog to punish them.
- Don’t call your dog in upsetting situations.
