FREE dog training advice from a pro!

Teach your dog to come when called

Come, Here... Whatever you call it, you can teach your dog to come to you on command.

As a professional dog trainer, I believe it's important to teach your dog a wide variety of skills to help him navigate successfully through life. But if you forced me to choose just one skill that every dog should know, a strong recall would absolutely be my choice. "Recall" means that your dog immediately stops what he is doing and returns to your side at your command, allowing you to keep him safe in a variety of situations.

Most folks use either "come" or "here" as their recall command, but you can use whatever word is most comfortable for you with one exception... your dog's name. That's because you likely use your dog's name often in everyday conversation, and your recall command must be a word that you use only when you expect your dog to immediately come to you.

Now that you've chosen your recall command, grab a handful of healthy dog treats, put your dog's training collar and leash on him, and start Lesson 1.

LESSON 1: Teach your dog to come to you from very short distances

The point of Lesson 1 is to get your dog used to moving toward you when he hears your recall command. You'll use treats and praise to help your dog learn this skill quickly. The treats and praise also encourage your dog to think of recall training a game — you want him to think it's fun to come when you call him.

  1. Take your dog to a quiet area with low distractions, where you can both move around freely.
  2. While holding your dog's leash, say your recall command in a cheerful voice ("Come!"). Immediately take a few steps backward, so that your dog moves toward you.
  3. Praise your dog ("Good dog!") and give him a small treat.
  4. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for a few minutes, while your dog is still interested in playing with you. If your dog loses interest, you'll know your training session was too long and you should make it shorter next time.

After several short training sessions (about 5 minutes each), you will see your dog start to move in your direction when he hears your recall command. That's when you'll know you're ready to move to Lesson 2.

LESSON 2: Teach your dog to come to you from longer distances

Now that your dog is familiar with your recall command, it's time to teach him to come you from longer distances. At this point, you'll still use the leash to guide him when he doesn't respond to your command.

  1. Take your leashed dog to a quiet, restricted area with low distractions (like your living room or fenced backyard).
  2. Drop your dog's leash and allow him to roam approximately 8 - 10 feet from you.
  3. Say your recall command in a cheerful voice and take a few steps backward when your dog looks at you. If your dog does not move toward you, calmly walk over and pick up his leash; then, say, "No!" and give a quick tug on the leash to get his attention. (DO NOT tug so hard on your dog's leash that you hurt or scare him!) While still holding the leash, repeat your recall command and take a few steps backward so that your dog follows you.
  4. Praise your dog and give him a treat.
  5. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for a few minutes, while your dog is still interested.

You should repeat the steps in Lesson 2 until your dog consistently responds to your verbal command without guidance from the leash. Most owners can achieve this result in 5 - 10 short training sessions (no longer than 5 minutes at one time). Once your dog consistently responds to your verbal command, move to Lesson 3.

LESSON 3: Teach your dog to come to you when distractions are high

If you're working on Lesson 3, then your dog consistently comes to your recall command when distractions are low. You've made great progress! Now, it's time to teach your dog that you expect him to come to you even when distractions are high.

  1. Take your leashed dog to a safe area with high distractions. For example, you may choose to train in the front yard when neighborhood children are playing outdoors.
  2. Train your dog exactly as you did when distractions were low. Remember to reward your dog when he responds the right way. Also remember to consistently follow through with a verbal correction ("No, come!") and a tug on the leash if he does not respond the first time you give the recall command.

Within 5 - 10 short sessions (no longer than 5 minutes), most dogs will consistently respond to the recall command, even with fairly high distractions. When your dog gets to the point that he consistently responds to your command the first time you give it, you are ready to move to Lesson 4.

LESSON 4: Teach your dog to come to you when he is off leash

If your dog consistently responds to your recall command even when distractions are high, then this is the moment you've been working to achieve: You're ready to move to off-leash recall work.

Until now, you've used the leash to correct your dog when he doesn't come to your recall command. Now it's time to remove the leash and rely primarily on verbal corrections and body language.

  1. Take your dog to a low-distraction area, like your fenced backyard, and remove his leash.
  2. Say your recall command in a cheerful voice. If your dog responds, reward him. If your dog does not respond, move to Step 3.
  3. Say "No, (recall command)!" and take a few steps backward. If your dog responds, reward him. If your dog does not respond, move to Step 4.
  4. Calmly move to your dog's side, and clip on his leash. Say "No, (recall command)!" while you give a quick tug on the leash and take a few steps backward. Praise your dog for coming to you and remove his leash (but don't give him a treat!).

If your dog consistently ignores your recall command when he is off leash, then you need to move back to on-leash work for a few sessions. When your dog consistently comes to you off leash under low levels of distraction, move your training sessions to higher distraction areas.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

  • Don't overreact by hitting or yelling at your dog when he ignores your recall command. He'll be far less likely to come to you in the future if the recall command stresses him out. A sharp "No!" accompanied by a quick tug on the leash is sufficient.
  • Once your dog gets good at coming to you on command, don't forget to occasionally reward him with a treat to help encourage his good behavior.
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